Whenever you visit an airport, one thing that attracts you are the airport lounges especially if you want some peaceful space without loud public announcements. There are many ways to access airport lounges. They are not limited to premium customers. One of the best ways to avail airport lounge benefits is using credit cards. Along with several best credit card offers, credit card providers offer travel benefits on the card. Access to the airport lounges is one of the travel benefits provided.
Some of the best credit cards in UAE for airport lounge access are:
| Card Name | Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Citi Simplicity Credit Card | 0 |
| Citi Cashback Credit Card | Free in the first year |
| Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card | Free in the first year |
| Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card | 1575 |
| ADIB Emirates Skywards World Card | 1500 |
| ADIB Dana Mastercard | 0 |
| HSBC Advance Credit Card | 0 |
| HSBC Black Credit Card | 1500 |
| HSBC Premier Credit Card | 0 |
| Emirates NBD Dnata World Credit Card | 999 |
| Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card | 1500 |
| Emirates NBD Dnata Platinum Credit Card | 500 |
| The American Express Gold Credit Card | 395 |
| The American Express Platinum Credit Card | 0 |
| Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card | 1575 (Free in the first year) |
| Rakbank Air Arabia Platinum Credit Card | 400 |
| Rakbank Emirates Skywards World Elite Credit Card | 1499 |
| Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Credit Card | 735 |
| Emirates Islamic Skywards Infinite Credit Card | 2100 |
| FAB Signature Travel Card | 1000 |
| FAB Elite Infinite Travel Card | 2000 |
| CBI MasterCard Titanium Credit Card | 0 |
Popular banks in UAE that provide free access to airport lounges on their Credit Cards:
-> Citi Cards
CitiBank Credit Card provides a wide range of credit cards. This bank offers a wide range of offers on airport lounge access. The complimentary airport rides, welcome offers on credit cards, amazing deals, Earning through special offers, earning skyward miles and much more are provided by the Citi Bank Credit Cards.
Citi Simplicity Credit Card
Benefits
- Get access to specific airport lounges throughout the Middle East.
- No Fees (annual, late & advance cash fee)
- Get 20% discount on grocery & food orders using a talabat app
- Enjoy the benefits of Installment Plans and Instant Cash Loan.
Fees: No Annual Fee
Minimum salary: AED 5,000
Citi Cashback Credit Card
Benefits
- Access over 1,100 lounges worldwide, unlimited for each cardholder, using the MasterCard Travel Pass app.
- Use your World Mastercard on Careem App to get 2 complimentary airport rides per year
- Get auto cash back when you make purchases on groceries and other expenses.
- Get 3% cash back on non-AED
- Get 2% cashback on grocery
- Get 1% cashback on all other spend
- There is No minimum spend amount.
- No retail purchases excluded and No caps (up to monthly credit limit)
- No Annual Fee
Fees: No Annual Fee for First Year
Minimum salary: AED 8,000
Emirates Citibank Credit Cards
- Emirates-Citibank Ultima Credit Card
- Emirates-Citibank Ultimate Credit Card
- Emirates-Citibank World Credit Card
- Emirates-Citibank Ultima Credit Card (World Elite)
- Use your World Elite Mastercard on Careem App to get 6 complimentary airport rides per year
- Get an Exclusive 100% Metal card + Skywards Silver Membership
- You can earn up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per $ spend
- Get 25,000 Joining Bonus Skywards Miles upon payment of AMF
- Enjoy Unlimited complimentary golf at some of the finest courses in the UAE
Minimum monthly income: AED 36,750
Annual membership fee: AED 3,000
- Emirates-Citibank Ultimate Credit Card (World Elite)
- Use your World Elite Mastercard on Careem App to get 6 complimentary airport rides per year
- Skywards Miles can be used for your next trip, local hotel staycations, retail shopping & more
- You can earn up to 1.25 Skywards Miles per $ spend
- You can enjoy a complimentary Valet Parking visit every month across the UAE
- Complimentary golf once a month at some of the finest courses in the UAE
Minimum monthly income: AED 800
Annual membership fee: AED 18,000
3. Emirates-Citibank World Credit Card (World)
- Earn up to 1 Skywards Mile per USD spent
- Get access to over 1,100 airport lounges with the MasterCard Travel Pass app
- Enjoy Flat 30% off 2 movie tickets at VOX Cinemas every month
- Your Skywards Miles can be used for your next trip, local hotel staycations, retail shopping & more
- Use your World Mastercard on Careem App to get 2 complimentary airport rides per year
Minimum monthly income: AED 400
Annual membership fee: AED 12,000
Rewards Credit Card
- Citi Prestige Credit Card
- Citi Premier Credit Card
- Citi Rewards Credit Card
- Citi Prestige Credit Card (World Elite)
- Get Transfer points to 12 partner airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Turkish airlines or redeem points for cash rebate and e-vouchers
- 4th night free at any hotel locally for staycations, or anywhere worldwide
- Use your World Elite Mastercard on Careem App to get 6 complimentary airport rides per year
- AED 1,250 Joining bonus statement credit upon meeting min spend criteria of AED 25,000 in 90 days
Minimum monthly income: AED 30,000
Annual membership fee: AED 1,500
- Citi Premier Credit Card (World Elite)
- Get Access to over 1,100 airport lounges with the MasterCard Travel Pass app
- Get Transfer points to 12 partner airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Turkish airlines or redeem points for cash rebate and e-vouchers
- Use your World Elite Mastercard on Careem App to get 6 complimentary airport rides per year
- Flat 30% off 4 movie tickets at VOX Cinemas every month
Annual membership fee: AED 750
Minimum monthly income: AED 15,000
- Citi Rewards Credit Card (World)
- Get Access to over 1,100 airport lounges with the MasterCard Travel Pass app
- Use your World Mastercard on Careem App to get 2 complimentary airport rides per year
- Redeem points for cash rebate and e-vouchers
- AED 200 Joining bonus statement credit upon meeting min spend
- Annual membership fee: No Annual Fee (Spend based)*
- Minimum monthly income: AED 8,000
Cashback Credit Card
Citi Cashback Credit Card (World)
- Use your World Mastercard on Careem App to get 2 complimentary airport rides per year
- Get auto cash back when you make purchases on groceries and other expenses.
- Get 3% cash back on non-AED
- Get 2% cashback on grocery
- Get 1% cashback on all other spend
- There is No minimum spend amount.
No retail purchases excluded and No caps (up to monthly credit limit)
Annual membership fee: No Annual Fee (Spend based)*
Minimum monthly income: AED 8,000
-> Mashreq Credit Cards
Mashreq cardholders are given 8 complimentary airport lounge access per year. Free access to the lounge is provided only if the annual fees are paid.
Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card
- Earn AED 1000 cashback as welcome bonus for new customers
- 20% cashback on Zomato, Netflix, Talabat, Noon, Etisalat, iTunes, Du, Dubainow
- Earn upto 5 Salaam Points per AED on dining, supermarkets, etc.
- Redeem Salaam Points for Skywards Miles
- 8 Free access to Fitness First clubs
- Free access to 1000+ airport lounges worldwide
- Annual Fees: Free for the first year. AED 650 is charged from the second year
- A minimum salary of AED 7000 is needed
Other Mashreq credit cards with free access to airport lounges are
-> ADIB Cards
ADIB offers several benefits on their cards. It offers access to 850+ airport lounges globally, on using the cards. The airport lounges can be accessed through different providers like LoungeKey, Mastercard etc.
- ADIB Etisalat Visa Signature Card
- ADIB Dana Mastercard
ADIB Emirates Skywards World Card
The ADIB Emirates Skywards World card is among the best credit cards offered by the ADIB bank. This card offers exclusive benefits and offers to cardholders. These offers include complimentary airport lounge access, valet parking benefit to golf privilege, and free airport transfers. You can earn skyward miles on everyday spending and also enjoy travel benefits to the airport and much more.
Benefits
- Enjoy unlimited complimentary lounge access for cardholders for more than 900 airport lounges across the globe.
- Emirates Skywards Silver status
- Get Fast track to Emirates Skywards Gold status
- Get up to 2.5 Skywards Miles for every AED 3.68
- Get up to 60,000 bonus Skywards Miles
- Get bonus skywards Miles for stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts with reward points.
Fees: AED 1500
Minimum salary: AED 10000
ADIB Dana Mastercard
Benefits
- Access to over 850 VIP Airport Lounges worldwide
- MasterCard Experience & offers and hotel discounts.
Fees: Covered Card Annual Fee AED 299.
Minimum salary: AED 8,000
-> HSBC Credit Cards
HSBC provides credit cards through which airport lounges can be accessed directly or by using LoungeKey membership. Cardholders can get unlimited access to the selected airport lounges under LoungeKey for free.
Guests can accompany the cardholder to the lounges and USD 27 (per guest) will be charged by LoungeKey.
HSBC Advance Credit Card
Benefits
- Get air miles on every diham spent using the card
- Earn 3 Air Miles for every AED 1 spent online
- Earn 1 Air Mile for every AED 1 spend on your card and redeem for flights, hotels and retail vouchers.
- Airline and hotel discounts of up to 30% with Cleartrip.
- Complimentary access to a select number of airport lounges worldwide, for you and your supplementary cardholders, through LoungeKey
Fees:No Joining fees and Annual fees
Minimum Salary: AED 15,000
HSBC Black Credit Card
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575 including VAT
- Reward: Up to 2.5 Air Miles for each AED 1 spent
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 50,000
To apply, you’ll need to have a Premier Account or a minimum monthly salary of AED 50,000.
-> Emirates NBD Credit Cards
Emirates NBD credit card holders can access an airport lounge either on using their Emirates NBD card, via MasterCard App or through LoungeKey.
Through LoungeKey– These cards provides free enrollment for LoungeKey membership. Present yourself as LoungeKey customer and get unlimited free entries to 800+ airport lounges. Guests accompanied will be charged $27.
Through Mastercard app– Card holders are provided free access to the top 10 airport lounges in UAE, Egypt, KSA, Kuwait, Jordan regions. They are provided free refreshments as well.
Emirates NBD Dnata Platinum Credit Card
- Introductory Offer: Up to 1,000 AED travel vouchers
- Reward: 10 percent rewards on spends at Dnata
- Amazon Prime Membership: Unbox a world of Amazon Prime
- Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary access to over 10 VIP lounges
-> American Express Credit Cards
AMEX Credit Cardholders are charged no fees on entering an airport lounge in the Middle East region. The free airport lounge access is provided on most of the AMEX Credit Cards UAE. Guests accompanying the cardholders will be charged some entry fees. Even AMEX supplementary credit card holders are eligible to avail complimentary lounge benefits.
-> Standard Chartered Credit Cards
Standard Chartered bank offers access to 1000+ airport lounges globally over 300 cities, on using the cards.
Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card
Benefits
- This card provides priority access to more than 1000+ global airport lounges worldwide.
- Enjoy unlimited complimentary access to airport lounges.
- Annual fee is 1575 (Free in the first year)
- Cardholder can access over 1000 airport lounges
- Provides the facility of mobile payments
- It Enables 3D Secure feature
- Enjoy a 50 percent discount on 4 Careem rides every year for 50 AED
- Buy one Get one coffee over at the Costa Coffee Buy one Get one offer using VOX Cinemas app.
- Get a maximum discount of 12%on hotels.com
-> Rakbank
Rakbank offers access to 1100+ airport lounges worldwide over 135 countries around 450 cities, on using the Rak bank credit cards. The airport lounges can be accessed through different providers like LoungeKey, Mastercard, Marhaba, CAC lounges, etc. RAK bank offers airport lounge cards like RAK Bank Air Arabia Platinum Credit Card and RAK Bank Emirates Skywards World Elite Credit Card.
Rakbank Air Arabia Platinum Credit Card
RAKBank offers Air Arabia Platinum Credit Card which provides great value to the user. The cardholder can use this card for domestic and international spending. The cardholder can get AirRewards points, make savings, and enjoy benefits.
Benefits
- Provides unlimited complimentary access to lounges to more than 10 Marhaba and CAC lounges in the UAE, KSA, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt.
- You can access 15 regional and International lounge key lounges in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Singapore, and many more countries.
- Provides AirRewards under Air Arabia’s loyalty program
- Get Joining Bonus – 15,000 AirRewards Points Equivalent to a ticket price
- Annual fee is AED 400
- Annual fee can be waived from the second year onwards. The spending criteria of AED 20,000 should be achieved in the previous year
- Offers low-interest rate on outstanding retail purchases
- Purchase protection in case of theft or accidental damage offered by Mastercard
- Free travel accident insurance cash advance of up to 80 percent of credit limit privileged discount.
- 6 complimentary airport pick-up or drop-off services each year
- IHG Hotels and Resorts discounts 15% discount on ‘Best Available Rate’
Rakbank Emirates Skywards World Elite Credit Card
Benefits
- Get Airport Lounge Access to more than 1100 airports with Lounge key.
- The cardholder and guest will get unlimited complimentary access to more than 1100 airport lounges in more than 450 cities in more than 135 countries across the globe.
- Get a Joining bonus Skywards Miles of 20,000 on payment of an annual fee of AED 1499.
- Earn 1 Tier Mile for every 4 Skywards Miles
- Provides offers on dining
- Get discounts on Careem Chauffeur, Golf play
- Minimum salary AED 20000
- Offers Travel Insurance
- Easy monthly EMIs at a 0% interest rate
- Get Cash in advance of up to 80 percent
- Offers a 20% discount capped up to AED 12 for the first 3 UBER rides every month.
-> Emirates Islamic Bank
Emmirport Islamic Bank offers airport lounge access to around 1000 airports worldwide through its credit cards. The card holders can get unlimited airport lounge access
Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Credit Card offers effective features to make spending exciting and rewards in equal measures to their cardholders.
Benefits
- Get Complimentary unlimited access to 1000 airport lounges for the cardholder and a guest across the globe.
- Get 150000 EI SmartMiles as a welcome bonus.
- Get up to 3.75 EI SmartMiles per 1AED for international spending
- Get up to 2.5 EI SmartMiles per 1AED for domestic spend
- Get Instant EI SmartMiles redemption
- Miles exchange option with Etihad Guest and JetPrivilege
- Unlimited complimentary golf access
- Unlimited shopping at EI’s online marketplace
- AED 15000 and above (Minimum monthly income)
- Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Credit Card members also get access to an extensive line-up of special, exclusive, additional privileges.
- Annual fee is AED 735
Emirates Islamic Skywards Infinite Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Skywards Infinite Visa Credit Card allows credit card holders to earn Skywards Miles, (Emirates’ popular frequent flyer program) for every dirham they spend. This innovative and revolutionary credit card comes loaded with a wide range of unmatched benefits and rewards for frequent flyers in the UAE.
Benefits
- Get Complimentary unlimited access to 1000 airport lounges for the cardholder and a guest across the globe.
- Get Offers on Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
- Golf Benefits
- Annual fee is AED 2100
- Multi-trip travel insurance
- Minimum salary of AED 25000
- Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Membership
- Purchase Protection for lost, stolen, or damaged goods purchased
- Free Extended Warranty on purchases
- Balancer Transfer feature
- Exclusive Visa Infinite offers
- International multilingual global assistance
- Instant cash advance facility
- Credit Shield Feature
- Provides Global Concierge facility
-> First Abu Dhabi Bank(FAB)
FAB offers access to 1000+ airport lounges globally in over 300 cities for credit card holders. Also for the guest, fab lounge access benefits vary from card to card.
FAB Signature Travel Card
FAB Signature Travel Card has Endless choices for redeeming across 800+ airlines, 500,000+ hotels, and car rental.
Apply for a FAB Travel Card by 12 January 2023 and we’ll waive the annual fee for the first year if you spend AED 10,000 or more within 60 days of card issuance. If you spend AED 100,000 or more in a year, the subsequent year’s annual fee will be waived as well!
Benefits
- Cardholders will get unlimited access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across the globe.
- The retail interest rate up to 3.75% is charged monthly
- A minimum salary of AED 5,000 is required
- Annual fee is AED 1000
- AED 1000 travel voucher on card activation
- With no foreign transaction fees levied can use the card outside UAE
- Per every three nights get one complimentary night for free on bookings made on the FAB travel portal
- Can exchange FAB miles with partnered airlines and hotels
FAB Elite Infinite Travel Card
FAB Elite Infinite Travel Card offers free airport lounge access to cardholders.
Benefits
- Cardholders will get unlimited free access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across the globe for the cardholder and for two guests.
- Get a guaranteed AED 2000 travel voucher on card activation to use for travel bookings on the FAB Travel Portal.
- 0% International Transaction Fee from the bank.
- Local & International Airport transfers – Get up to eight free airport transfers a year within the UAE no matter which airport you are using.
- Redeem across 800+ airlines, 500,000+ hotels, and car rentals and One complimentary night for every three paid nights when booked through the FAB Travel Portal.
- Redeem across 800+ airlines, 500,000+ hotels, and car rentals and One complimentary night for every three paid nights when booked through the FAB Travel Portal.
- Annual fee is AED 2000
-> CBI Bank
CBI Bank credit card holders can access an airport lounge by MasterCard
CBI MasterCard Titanium Credit Card
The CBI Titanium card offers you airport lounge access and hundreds of complementary lifestyle offers such as buy-one-get-one-free on eating out, entertainment and travel and cashback on your cinema spend.
Benefits
- CBI Mastercard Titanium credit card provides access to 10 airport lounges. This facility is also available for supplementary cardholders.
- Both the Primary cardholder and the supplementary cardholder can get access to the airport lounge. If a guest accompanies them per visit it will be charged to the credit card
- You can apply for supplementary cards to get access to the airport lounges.
- As a mastercard platinum cardholder you get access to the airport lounges by MasterCard
- No annual fee and competitive interest rates on retail purchases and cash withdrawals
- 1,000+ dining and lifestyle discounts via the CBI Lifestyle app, plus complimentary airport lounge access
- 0% interest Easy Payment Plans at our partner outlets to help spread the cost of larger purchases
- Free supplementary cards for family members
- Cash transfer loans at 1% p.m. flat interest rate with repayment periods up to 36 months and a processing fee of just 1%
- Priceless Arabia: Exclusive Offers for MasterCard Card holders. A unique collection of lifestyle experiences.
These are some of the best credit cards in Dubai that provide access to the luxurious airport lounges globally. Other than airport lounge privileges they provide other travel, lifestyle, entertainment benefits as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is access to airport lounges is provided for free on using these credit cards?
A. Yes. On using the above-mentioned credit cards, you can get access to the selected airport lounges for free.
Q. Can I get access to any airport lounge?
A. The airport lounge that the cardholder can access depends upon the credit card provider. You can check with your card provider regarding the lounges that you can access.
Q. Do I need to take any prior appointment to get entry to the lounge?
A. At some of the lounges, you don’t need any prior appointment. However, it is recommended to contact the lounge customer care before making a visit.
Q. For how long I can stay at the airport lounge?
A. Most of the airport lounges provide a maximum of 4 hours’ stay.
Q. Are kids allowed to the lounge?
A. Yes. Kids are allowed to the lounge but they will be considered as a guest accompanied itself at some of the lounges.
Q. Can I get food and drinks for free at the lounge?
A. Some of the airport lounges provide snacks and refreshments as complimentary.
About the author
Nikitha is a Senior Analyst at MyMoneySouq.com. She has been writing about personal finance, credit cards, mortgage, and other personal finance products in the UAE. Her work on Mortgage loans has been featured by the GulfNews and other popular Financial Blogs in the UAE.
