Compare the same AED 10,000 monthly benchmark with full repayment. Actual eligibility, category spending and the timing of welcome offers can change the outcome. This is an independent comparison; subjective perks are not assigned guaranteed cash value.
No annual fee in year 1. Subsequent fees are waived after AED 60,000 annual spend.
Important conditions
SHAMS statement cashback uses 20,000 Walaa points = AED 80, so 10 points/AED is 4% cash value (not the advertised 5% travel/bill value). Dining point caps and reduced merchant rates are applied; travel boosts and selected-merchant welcome cashback are excluded.
Published renewal fee used; unverified discretionary or relationship waivers are excluded.
12 visits a year with a guest through Visa Airport Companion. After the first visit, USD 1 equivalent foreign spend at a merchant outside the UAE must be made at least 15 days before travel.
No annual fee in year 1. Subsequent fees are waived after AED 30,000 annual spend.
Important conditions
SHAMS statement cashback uses 20,000 Walaa points = AED 80, so 10 points/AED is 4% cash value (not the advertised 5% travel/bill value). Dining point caps and reduced merchant rates are applied; travel boosts and selected-merchant welcome cashback are excluded.
Published renewal fee used; unverified discretionary or relationship waivers are excluded.
8 visits a year through Visa Airport Companion. After the first visit, USD 1 equivalent foreign spend at a merchant outside the UAE must be made at least 15 days before travel.
A common benchmark makes the comparison reproducible, but it does not establish the best card for every household. Welcome eligibility, employer and bureau assessment, payment channel merchant codes, actual foreign spending and carried balances can all change the result.
