It's always great receiving something for nothing, which is why this week's blog focuses on air miles-linked credit cards
. The concept is simple, spend money on your credit card and earn air miles that you can then redeem for flights on your favourite airline. Different cards are linked to different airlines and how many air miles you earn can vary widely, but let's not ignore the fees you may have to pay. So to help you find the best air miles credit card is for you, we've selected five of the best available in the UAE right now:
Air miles: one Skywards mile for every US$1 spent internationally and 0.5 Skywards miles for every $1 spend domestically
Features: complimentary Marhaba Meet & Greet service once a year at Dubai International Airport
Who can apply: residents over 21 with a minimum salary of Dh5,000
Monthly interest: 2.99 per cent
Annual fee: Dh250
Skywards Emirates Islamic Bank Gold +
Air miles: spend Dh1,750 or more to receive 1,000 Skywards miles, Dh5,000 to receive 1,800 and Dh7,500 to receive 4,000
Features: lounge access at Dubai International Airport and complimentary travel insurance
Who can apply: residents over 21 with a minimum salary of Dh8,000
Monthly interest: no interest
Annual Fee: Dh400 plus a monthly fee of Dh400 if the balance is not paid off in full every month
Air miles: 1.25 Etihad Guest miles for every US$1 spent plus one bonus Guest mile for every $1 spent internationally
Features: 0 per cent payment plan for purchases on Etihad Holidays
Who can apply: residents over 18 with a minimum salary of Dh8,000
Monthly interest: 2.99 per cent
Annual fee: fee for life
Air miles: one air mile for every Dh1 spent for use on airline tickets of your choice. However, you can collect your air miles twice at over 1,500 outlets in the UAE by showing your Air Miles card when you shop with your HSBC credit card
Features: free valet parking at selected Valtrans locations around Dubai
Who can apply: residents over 18 with a minimum salary of Dh7,000
Monthly interest: 2.79 per cent
Annual fee: free for life
Mashreq Air Arabia Classic Card
Air miles: receive a free ticket when you spend Dh25,000
Features: free accident care insurance cover
Who can apply: residents over 21 with a minimum salary of Dh9,000
Monthly interest: 2.99 per cent
Annual fee: Dh200
