Balance Transfer Credit Cards in UAE 2024

Balance Transfer in UAE

Credit cards have been the go-to financial tools for most people trying to manage their expenses in UAE. Banks and financial institutions have also identified this need and offer various services which can make management and repayment of credit economical and easier. A balance transfer is one such facility.

What is balance transfer?

Balance Transfer [BT] is the facility provided by credit card providers which allow the cardholder to transfer his debt or the money owed on the credit card to another credit card account with a different bank or financial institution. This is a mutually beneficial facility as cardholders get an opportunity to repay their debts at much lower rates and the banks an opportunity to help their customers manage their debts.

Most banks offer an interest-free period in the balance transfer facility to attract cardholders. Some banks also offer an installment option or lower interest rates for a fixed tenure to help you repay your debt with lesser interest.

10 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards in UAE 2024

Let’s look at a few banks and financial institutions that offer the best balance transfer credit cards in UAE:

When should I opt for a balance transfer?

A balance transfer can be used by anybody who can handle credit responsibly. Let’s look at an example:

Scenario: You have a credit card with a credit limit of AED 30000 and have utilized the entire limit. Now, being an example let’s assume that you can afford to pay AED 1500 every month towards repayment of your credit card and the monthly interest rate is 3%. In such a scenario, you will be able to repay your credit card debt in 31 months [AED 46500].

If you choose the balance transfer option, then depending on the bank you might get an interest free period of up to 6 months which would mean that with the same repayment capability you will be able to repay AED 9000 [1500*6] without interest. You can also opt for the installment option wherein the entire amount is divided into equal installments at a much lower interest rate.

The bank offering this service usually offer up to 90% of the new card’s credit limit. So, continuing with our example, if the bank is offering you a credit card with a limit of AED 30000, then you can do a balance transfer of up to AED 27000 from your old account.

As can be seen in this example, the credit card balance transfer option can truly help you manage your debts efficiently. If you are finding yourself go down the spiral of credit card debt, then balance transfer can be a handy tool to get your debt back in control.

Are there any charges involved?

Most banks charge a balance transfer fee which is usually a percentage of the amount transferred. All interest rate benefits offered are only for the balance transfer amount and all new transactions are charged as per the existing rates.

Banks offering Balance Transfer Credit Card in UAE

Most banks offer a balance transfer facility for cardholders in UAE. Here’s a look at a few of them:

First Abu Dhabi Bank Balance Transfer

First Abu Dhabi Bank [FAB] offers a wide array of credit cards in the UAE. The features of the FAB Balance transfer facility are:

• Outstanding balance can be transferred from any credit card in the UAE to the FAB credit card.
• Upto 90% of the preapproved credit limit can be used to consolidate debts 
• Interest rate of up to 3.50% is charged on retail purchases 
• Interest rate for balance transfer: Up to 3% per month (flat rate).
• Transaction processing fee: Up to 4% of the total principal amount.
• Cancellation fee: 1.05% of the outstanding principal (capped at AED 10,500).

Emirates NBD Balance Transfer

Emirates NBD offers credit cards with an array of benefits and privileges to cardholders in UAE. The features of the Emirates NBD balance transfer facility are:

• A minimum salary of AED 5000 is needed to apply for a balance transfer.
• Transfer credit card debt from any UAE bank to Emirates NBD Credit Card.
• Pay back in 12, 18, 24, 36, or 48 easy installments.
• Both interest-based and no-interest options available (processing fee applies for no-interest plans).
• Minimum transfer amount: AED 1,000.
• Transfer up to 90% of your Emirates NBD credit limit.
• Only one active balance transfer allowed per card.
• Corporate, prepaid, WebShopper, and forex cards are not eligible.
• Processing takes 5-6 working days; cheque delivered via Empost.
• Early cancellation incurs a foreclosure fee (1% + 5% VAT).
• Apply via SMS or Phone Banking:
• SMS 'BT' to 4454 (regular cards) or 'LLBT' to 4456 (LuLu 247 Mastercard Platinum).
• For inquiries, call +971 600 54 0000.

RAKBANK Balance Transfer

RAKBANK offers credit cards with no annual fee ever and up to 3% cashback on domestic and international transactions. The features of Rak Bank balance transfer facility are:

• 0% interest to be paid for the first 3 months on the balance transfer amount.
• Low Processing fee is 1.95%.
• After the interest free period, the monthly interest rate is 3.45%.
• Easy balance transfer.

Mashreq Bank Balance Transfer

Mashreq bank offers its cardholders amazing domestic and international benefits. The features of Mashreq Bank balance transfer are:

• Balance transfer is provided on selected credit cards Mashreq Solitaire card, Cashback card, noon VIP credit card, platinum credit card
• Get attractive interest rates
• Transfer your credit card balances to a Mashreq Credit Card at 0% interest for 6 months.
• Balance Transfer cancellation fee is AED 105.
• With Mashreq credit card you can enjoy convenient payback monthly installments.
• No income documentation required
• Fixed installments with the max tenor of 36 months
• You can transfer up to 75 percent of your credit card balance

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Balance Transfer

ADIB offers Shariah-compliant cards to customers with a plethora of benefits. The features of ADIB balance transfer are:

Two offers to choose from:

No profit rates for 12 months

• You can use up to 50% of your cover limit
• A processing fee of 3% is charged on the balance transfer amount subject to a minimum of AED 200. This is a one-time fee. The contractual Murabaḥa profit amount applies after 12 months.
• Minimum balance transfer amount is AED 1000.
• The balance transfer amount will not be eligible for any rewards like cash back or air miles.

No profit rates for 3 months

• You can use up to 100% of your cover limit
• A processing fee of 2% is charged on the balance transfer amount subject to a minimum of AED 200. This is a one-time fee. The contractual Murabaḥa profit amount applies after 3 months.
• Minimum balance transfer amount is AED 1000.
• The balance transfer amount will not be eligible for any rewards like cash back or air miles.

Standard Chartered Bank Balance Transfer

The features of Standard Chartered Bank balance transfer are:

• Transfer your balance and enjoy a convenient payment plan
• Enjoy low Interest rates and flexible repayment plan
• Quick and easy for making balance transfer
• Avoiding costly interest payment
• Transfer unlimited balances according to the credit card limits
• Easy monthly payment
• Fees & charges listed are inclusive of 5% VAT 
• Interest rate monthly 3% 
• Processing fee up to 4.2%
• Early settlement of 2% to 5 % or AED 300 whichever is greater

HSBC Bank

The features of HSBC Bank balance transfer in UAE are:

• Fixed Annual percentage rate 0% to 29.88% on reducing balance
• Transfer the minimum amount of AED 1000 up to 90 percent of the available limit
• You can choose to pay in 6,12, 24, 36 or 48 months.
• Fixed Annual percentage rate is 0% to 29.88% on reducing balance
• Interest rate is dependent on Balance transfer

Citi Bank Balance transfer

The features of Citi Bank Balance transfer on cards are:

• Citibank credit cards offer a smart way to manage your finances
• Get a welcome offer of 0 percent interest rate for six months
• Better savings with 0% per annum interest rate for 6 months
• Get extra cash for things that you care like paying off your card balances and much more
• Choice of payment from 6 to 48 months
• For new customers you can enjoy 0 percent interest for 6 months
• Existing customers can get 0.99 percent per month flat rate

CBI Balance Transfer

The features of CBI Bank Balance Transfer are:

• Get 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months
• Processing fee is 0% up to 3 months of 0 % interest
• Processing fee is 1% up to 6 months of 0 % interest
• You are required to have IBAN to move balance from another card to your CBI card
• Transfer your balance from another card to a CBI Credit Card and enjoy lower monthly payment

Arab Bank Balance Transfer

The features of Arab Bank Balance Transfer are:

• Transfer outstanding balance from credit card of other banks to Arab bank credit card for Zero percent interest for 3 months
• Enjoy increase in card limit up to 30 percent
• Minimum transfer balance is AED 1,000 and max of 90 percent of available balance
• Regular interest rate will be applicable on outstanding balance of transferred balance after 3 months
• Minimum due payment is 5 percent of balance during 3 months period

Ajman Bank Balance Transfer

The features of Ajman Bank Balance Transfer are:

• Transfer your balance to Ajman Bank and save more with balance transfer
• Increase your savings moving to Ajman bank with balance transfer
• Consolidate your credit card outstanding balance with Ajman bank balance transfer
• Call us at 800 22 for requesting balance transfer
• No paperwork required
• Payment options are flexible where you can pay from 3 months to 36 months

Dubai First Balance Transfer

The features of Dubai First Balance Transfer are:

• Enjoy affordable financing option where you get 0% interest rate on balance transfer
• Get quick cash transfer on your account by balance transfer
• Enjoy financial flexibility that you want by applying for low rate card
• Repay easily in 6 or 12 monthly installments with 0% interest
• With balance transfer enjoy the freedom of 6 or 12-month installments plans at 0% interest.

Emirates Islamic Balance Transfer

The features of Emirates Islamic Balance Transfer are:

• Transfer your credit card balance to Emirates Islamic at 0% profit for 6 months.
• One-time processing fee of 2.99% applies.
• No fixed installments; flexible repayment at your pace. Pay only 5% of the outstanding balance as the minimum due each month.
• Transfer up to 80% of your card’s available limit.
• Minimum balance transfer amount required AED 1,000.

CBD Balance Transfer

The features of CBD Balance Transfer are:

• Transfer balances from other cards to your CBD Credit Card at 0% interest for up to 12 months.
• Flexible tenures available, up to 36 months, at competitive rates.
• One-time processing fee: 3.5% (6 months) or 4% (12 months).
• Interest rates vary based on tenure, from 0.00% to 33.50% APR.
• Apply via the CBD Mobile App:
• Log in, select your card, and tap "Transfer Another Card's Balance" under Services.
• Enter details and confirm the transfer.

Points to remember:

• Research well and commit to a balance transfer offer only when you are sure that it will help you lighten your debt burden.
• Usually, post the offer period expiry date, the regular rates apply; understand them well.
• A balance transfer is designed to help you come out of the debt cycle. Don’t go swipe happy unless the balance transfer amount is cleared.
• Ensure that you don’t miss your installments and attract undue fees.
• Make the most out of the interest-free period. Strategize and plan your finances before availing a balance transfer facility.

FAQs