After 4 years of living in Dubai, I tested nearly every major cashback card available. No marketing fluff here, just honest experiences, real numbers, and practical advice from someone who learned the hard way.
When I moved to Dubai in 2020, I was overwhelmed by the number of banking options. Every bank promised incredible cashback rates, but the fine print told a different story. After losing AED 800 in the first year to hidden fees and complicated reward structures, I decided to document everything.
This site is my notebook made public. No sponsorships, no affiliate links with banks. Just my actual transaction history, real calculations, and the lessons I wish someone had told me before I applied for my first UAE credit card.
"The best cashback card isn't always the one with the highest percentage. It's the one that matches your spending habits."
My expensive lesson from year one
Each review is based on at least 6 months of actual usage. I track every transaction, every cashback credit, and every frustrating customer service call.
Most Used
First Abu Dhabi Bank's cashback program looked perfect on paper: 5% on groceries, 3% on dining. But after 36 months and AED 180,000+ in spending, here's what actually happened with my earnings.
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Emirates NBD's digital-only bank targets young professionals. Instant account opening was great, but the cashback structure confused me for months.
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I almost didn't apply for this one. The marketing felt aggressive, and reviews were mixed. Two years later, it's become my primary spending card.
Read MoreMost UAE cards cap monthly cashback at AED 200-500. That 5% rate means nothing if you hit the cap by day 15.
A card with 2% cashback and no annual fee often beats 5% cashback with AED 500 yearly charge.
Your supermarket might code as "retail" not "grocery." I lost 3% cashback for 8 months because of this.
Some banks expire points after 12 months. Others require minimum AED 100 to redeem. Read the fine print.
I'm not a financial advisor, but I'm happy to share what I've learned. Drop me a message with your specific situation.
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