Who doesn’t love the thrill of a free flight, a stay at a luxurious hotel, or that magical moment when you’re unexpectedly bumped up to first class? The cherry on top? Skipping those annoying extra baggage fees like a VIP. It might sound like something out of a dream, but here’s the truth: earning travel rewards isn’t just for the lucky few—it’s a clever strategy anyone can master. And if you’re in the UAE, where the opportunities to rack up miles are everywhere, it’s time to turn your everyday spending into extraordinary travel perks. Let’s get started!
In this guide, we’ll explain how you can turn your everyday spending into travel perks. Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of earning rewards, let’s nail down the essential terms to help you master the game.
The Basics of Travel Rewards
Points and Miles: Rewards currencies that you can earn and redeem for flights, hotels, or even non-travel purchases.
Redemption: Using points or miles to cover travel costs like airfare or accommodations.
Award Flight: A flight booked with points or miles instead of cash.
Loyalty Program: A rewards system offered by airlines or hotels, like Emirates Skywards or Marriott Bonvoy, allowing you to earn and use points within that brand.
Elite Status: A higher tier in a loyalty program, offering premium perks like lounge access or priority boarding.
Miles Accelerator Programs: Subscription-based options from UAE banks that turbocharge your earning rate on credit card transactions.
The UAE Points and Miles Key Players
To maximize your miles-earning potential, knowing the key players is critical.
Top Airlines for UAE Travelers:
- Emirates Airline
- Etihad Airways
- Air Arabia
Top Hotel Brands:
- Marriott International
- Accor Hotels
- Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
The Three Categories of Earning Miles
When it comes to earning points and miles, most people jump straight to credit cards. While that’s a heavy hitter, there are two other major categories to consider: lifestyle spending and travel expenses. Let’s unpack all three.
1. Lifestyle & Retail Spending Through Partners
You can earn air miles by converting rewards from partner programs into airline miles or purchasing with partner brands. Many loyalty programs and credit cards offer this option, allowing customers to turn everyday spending into travel rewards. Here’s a comparison of how Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest help you earn miles through lifestyle spending
Emirates Skywards Miles
- Partnerships: Emirates has partnered with a few brands, such as The Dubai Mall, allowing customers to earn 1 Skywards Mile for every USD 1 spent. This makes it highly rewarding for those who regularly shop at one of the largest malls in the world. There are other partners that can be found on the Skywards partners website as well..
- Skywards Everyday App: The app enables members to earn miles on luxury and high-street shopping, dining (both fine and casual), beauty and wellness services, and entertainment activities. This comprehensive coverage means nearly all types of lifestyle spending can contribute to your Skywards Miles balance.
- Ease of Use: Simply use the app to log purchases or link cards to participating brands for automatic rewards. It’s convenient for frequent shoppers and diners in the UAE.
Etihad Guest Miles
- Partnerships: Etihad Guest offers miles through a few selected partnerships, such as Damas and Wio Bank. Customers can earn miles by linking their accounts with partner loyalty programs or scanning receipts for eligible purchases.
- Options for Conversions: Members can convert loyalty points from other programs (like shopping or banking rewards) into Etihad Guest Miles.
- Coverage: While effective, Etihad Guest’s earning options are more limited than Emirates Skywards, as it has fewer retail and dining partnerships within the UAE.
2. Travel Expenses
Whether it’s a hotel stay, car rental, or international flights, travel-related spending is another way to rack up miles. Airlines have extensive partnerships that allow you to earn miles beyond just booking flights.
- Convert Loyalty Points:
- Emirates: Convert 10,000 Hilton Honors Points into 1,000 Skywards Miles.
- Etihad: Transfer miles from partners like Air Canada or Saudi Airlines into Etihad Guest Miles.
- Earn Miles on the Go:
- Emirates: Earn 5 Skywards Miles per USD spent on car rentals with Hertz.
- Etihad: Get miles for each USD spent on Booking.com through their website.
Check the partner pages on airline websites for the complete list of opportunities.
3. Credit Card Spending
When it comes to earning miles efficiently, credit cards are the ultimate tool for frequent travelers in the UAE. Local banks offer travel-focused credit cards with enticing benefits such as sign-up bonuses, accelerated earning rates, complimentary travel insurance, and access to luxury airport lounges. Here’s a breakdown of some options, and you can view and compare all Airlines’ credit cards on cardsmatcher.com.
Emirates Skywards Credit Cards
- RAKBANK Emirates Skywards World Elite Mastercard: Earn miles on total monthly spending without category restrictions.
- Emirates Islamic Skywards Black Credit Card: High annual fee (AED 5,775) but offers fast-tracked Gold status and hig miles earning rate.
Etihad Guest Credit Cards
- ADCB Etihad Guest credit cards offer a range of credit cards that reward customers with additional miles once they achieve a specified spending threshold.
- ENBD Etihad Credit Card Elevate provides the market’s highest welcome bonus, offering up to 200,000 Etihad Guest miles upon meeting the minimum spending requirement of AED 20,000 monthly for six consecutive months from the card’s issuance date. The card is available with a Joining fee of AED 2,625.
- Walletplus™ Visa Prepaid Card: Load funds in AED, convert to multiple currencies, and earn miles for every AED 10 spent.
Travel Co-branded Credit Cards
- Emirates NBD Marriott Bonvoy Cards: Perfect for hotel enthusiasts and loyal fans of the Marriott hotel chain.
- ADCB ALL Credit Cards: Excellent for everyday spenders with diverse earning opportunities.
- ADCB Traveller Credit Card: Cashback on travel-related purchases like airline tickets and hotel stays.
Final Thoughts
Earning travel rewards in the UAE is simpler and more rewarding than you might imagine. By identifying the key players, taking advantage of strategic partnerships, and selecting the right credit cards, you can turn your everyday spending into extraordinary travel experiences. Whether you’re planning a much-needed getaway or looking to make your journeys more seamless, the right strategy can make all the difference. Get started today by completing the Find Your Card Survey, and we’ll match you with the perfect card to unlock your travel rewards potential.
