Deals of the Week: Barclaycard offers diners 10% cashback

The new Barclaycard Edge card offers dining discounts across the UAE, while RAKBank introduced a daily deal website concept for its customers.

Barclays, the country's third-biggest international bank, has launched a new credit card that offers a 10 per cent cashback on dining anywhere in the UAE and 2.5 per cent rewards on all purchases that can be redeemed on any airline.

The Barclaycard Edge card also offers complimentary membership to Priority Pass, giving users access to more than 600 airport lounges worldwide, and discounted green fees at up to 300 golf courses around the world.

"Card members benefit not only from rewards on everyday purchases and a hassle-free 10 per cent cashback on every dining purchase, but also from a range of golf and travel benefits," says Venkatesh Srikantan, the head of consumer banking at Barclays UAE.

"The dining cashback feature automatically credits 10 per cent of the entire dining bill to the card member's account, eliminating the need to carry vouchers, discount cards or the need to request a discount from the dining establishment."

The annual fee for the Edge credit card is Dh750, while the monthly interest rate is 2.99 per cent, or 35.88 per cent per year. However, there is an interest-free period of up to 55 days.

It is worth noting that the Edge card has a foreign currency processing fee of 2.75 per cent. According to bankrate.com, "most credit-card issuers charge currency conversion fees for foreign purchases made with their credit cards, debit and check cards, and ATM cash withdrawals", which can increase the cost of your holiday.

The Edge card also comes with Visa Infinite Concierge, which can arrange anything from dinner reservations to chauffeurs and taxis, theatre tickets and gifts.

For more information about the Edge credit card, go to www.barclays.ae.

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RAKBank, the Ras Al Khaimah-based retail lender, is offering its customers weekly discounted deals through a new online platform that is modelled on the daily-deal website concept.

The bank, which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, says www.rakbankdeals.ae provides its credit, debit and prepaid card customers with exclusive weekly deals that offer discounts of 50 per cent or more.

The deals include RAKfeast, a dining discount programme, Lifestyle Privileges, a programme for benefits and privileges from more than 80 outlets, a prepaid card promotion and buy one get one free offers.

"The launch of this website is just another way of appreciating our loyal customers and making their banking experience an even simpler one," says Graham Honeybill, the chief executive RAKBank. "By a click of a button, they visit a one-stop shop for an array of exclusive deals, from dining, entertainment to fashion and fun."

Customers simply click on the "Buy Now" button and pay using any of the bank's credit or prepaid cards. They then receive the deal coupon via email, which they can print and present at the merchant outlet.

For more information, visit www.rakbank.ae.