Photo: Unsplash / David Rodrigo
After three years living in Dubai, I've tested pretty much every reward program out there. Some were game-changers, others... not so much. Here's what I actually learned.
When I first moved to Dubai in late 2021, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of reward programs, cashback cards, and loyalty schemes thrown at me. Every bank, every app, every store seemed to have their own version of "earn points, save money."
The problem? Most online reviews read like press releases. "Great cashback!" "Amazing rewards!" Yeah, but what does that actually mean for someone buying groceries at Carrefour or ordering shawarma through Talabat at 2 AM?
So I decided to document my actual experience. No affiliate links here. No sponsored content. Just honest observations from someone who pays rent in Deira and buys his coffee from the same Zoom near the Metro station every morning.
"The best reward card is the one that fits YOUR lifestyle, not the one with the flashiest marketing campaign."What I wish someone told me on day one
After testing numerous options, these are the reward programs that genuinely impacted my daily life in Dubai. Each one has its quirks, and I'll share what nobody tells you in the official brochures.
Photo: Unsplash / Denys Nevozhai
Everyone talks about Smiles points like they're gold dust. After accumulating over 45,000 points, here's my honest take on redemption value, hidden expiry rules, and whether the credit card annual fee makes sense.
Photo: Unsplash / Tech Daily
What started as just a way to pay for rides became my most-used payment method. The cashback on groceries alone paid for three months of my gym membership.
Photo: Unsplash / Mika Baumeister
I was skeptical about paying for free delivery. Then I calculated how much I actually order online. Spoiler: the math worked out embarrassingly well in Noon's favor.
Before you dive into the detailed articles, here are some general observations that apply across most UAE reward programs:
Almost every program has points that expire. I lost about 3,000 Smiles points in my first year because I didn't realize they had a 12-month rolling expiry.
Many cashback offers can be combined with credit card rewards. During DSF, I once got 35% effective discount by layering three different promotions.
Nothing is truly unlimited. There's always a monthly cap, a minimum spend requirement, or excluded categories buried somewhere in the terms.
I'm always updating my knowledge and would love to hear about your experiences. If you've found a reward program that works well for you, or if something I wrote doesn't match your experience, let me know.
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