With a solitaire diamond in the middle, the invite-only Royale card is intended for royalty and the world's multimillionaires. Courtesy of Dubai First
With a solitaire diamond in the middle, the invite-only Royale card is intended for royalty and the world's multimillionaires. Courtesy of Dubai First

The Dubai First Royale card is a millionaire's best friend



The left-hand side and top edge are trimmed with gold, and in the middle, set on a stark black background, is a white .235-carat solitary diamond.

According to Dubai First, the consumer-finance subsidiary of Dubai Group, there are approximately 58,000 multimillionaires living in the UAE. But it takes more than money to slip the Dubai First Royale card in your wallet - you have to be invited.

"What do these clients require?" asks Ibrahim al Ansari, the chief executive of Dubai First. "What are their needs? It's not money - it's service. You ask for the moon and we try and get it."

The Royale card - which Mr al Ansari says is "the most exclusive credit card in the world" - is available to members of the royal family and individuals in the ultra-high-net-worth category.

Although most of its members are Emirati, it's open to clients from around the world. You can apply for the card, but the vast majority of members are actively scouted by Dubai First.

With Royale, there is no credit limit and zero restrictions. In fact, the client's limit will change based on the individual's spending habits.

"The needs of these clients are different," says Amit Marawah, the senior vice president and head of marketing and communications for Dubai First. "Whatever he or she wants to swipe it on, the transaction must go through. If the client likes a yacht on holiday, he or she should be able to buy it."

Another unique feature of the Royale is that there are no specific benefits. These clients, Mr Marawah says, are not interested in discounts on dry cleaning. Instead, this credit card offers not only a dedicated relationship manager for financial matters, but a lifestyle manager, available 24 hours a day, for personal requests.

Want two tickets to the Oscars? That can be arranged.

In partnership with Quintessentially, the luxury services company, the Royale management team has organised just about everything for their clients.

When a customer wanted to try the latest Porsche, for example, the company arranged for him to fly to Stuttgart, Germany, for a test drive. Recently, at the Formula 1 weekend, seven Royale members were brought to a private chalet to watch the race.

Although Mr Marawah wouldn't specify the exact number of cardholders, he says there are "about a few hundred members".

The interest rate is set at 2.59 per cent a month, which can be adjusted based on spending patterns and the frequency of payments. There is also a Dh7,000 joining fee.

For more information on the Royale, visit www.dubaifirst.com. But remember, when it comes to this credit card, the philosophy is don't call us, we'll call you.

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m 
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford

Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

Neil Thomson – THE BIO

Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.

Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.

Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.

Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.

Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.

Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4

Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.

Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)