Bank Overview
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
UAE’s largest bank by assets. Strong in Abu Dhabi, expanding in Dubai. Known for Share Points program and Etihad partnership.
Card Count: 10+
Emirates NBD (ENBD)
Dubai’s largest bank. Strong Emirates Skywards partnership. Popular for travel cards and unlimited lounge access.
Card Count: 9+
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
Strong in Abu Dhabi, growing in Dubai. Known for 365 Cashback card and TouchPoints program. Innovative co-branded cards.
Card Count: 8+
Cashback Cards Comparison
FAB Cashback Card
FAB Cashback - Features
Cashback Rate
5%
Groceries, dining, fuel
Monthly Cap
AED 200/category
Annual Fee
AED 300
Max Annual Value
AED 2,100
ENBD Duo Card
ENBD Duo - Features
Rewards Rate
5% points
Groceries & dining
Monthly Cap
Unlimited
Annual Fee
Free
Requirement
AED 5,000/month spend
ADCB 365 Cashback Card
ADCB 365 Cashback - Winner
Cashback Rate
6%
Dining (highest in UAE)
Monthly Cap
AED 200
Annual Fee
AED 365
First year free
Max Annual Value
AED 2,035
Cashback Winner: ADCB 365 - Offers the highest cashback rate (6% on dining) among the three banks, though FAB and ENBD offer competitive alternatives.
Travel Cards Comparison
FAB Etihad Infinite
FAB’s partnership with Etihad offers competitive miles rates, especially with promotional rates for new cardholders.
FAB Etihad Infinite
Etihad Flights
4.5 miles/AED
Promotional rate
Annual Fee
AED 2,500
ENBD Emirates Skywards Infinite
ENBD Emirates Skywards Infinite - Winner
Emirates Flights
2.75 miles/USD
~0.75 miles per AED
Lounge Access
Unlimited
Annual Fee
AED 2,625
Value
Best for Emirates flyers
ADCB Traveller Card
ADCB Traveller
Travel Cashback
10%
Via booking portal
Annual Fee
AED 1,050
Travel Winner: ENBD - The Emirates Skywards Infinite offers the best combination of miles rates and unlimited lounge access, making it unbeatable for frequent Emirates travelers.
Points Programs Comparison
FAB Share Points
FAB’s Share Points program offers 7% points on groceries, with points convertible at 1 point = 0.01 AED.
FAB Share Points
Groceries Rate
7% points
Points Value
0.01 AED/point
Best Card
Share Signature (uncapped)
Annual Fee
AED 0-1,500
ENBD Rewards Points
ENBD offers flexible points that can be converted to cash or used for various redemptions.
ADCB TouchPoints
ADCB TouchPoints - Devalued
Earning Rate
1.5 points/AED
Dining & groceries
Points Value
0.004 AED/point
Devalued: 50k points = AED 200
Warning:
ADCB TouchPoints were devalued significantly. 50,000 points now redeem for only AED 200 (0.004 AED per point), making this one of the lowest-value points programs in UAE.
Points Winner: FAB Share Points - Offers the highest earning rate (7%) with reasonable conversion value (0.01 AED/point). ADCB TouchPoints have been significantly devalued.
Side-by-Side Bank Comparison
Category
FAB
ENBD
ADCB
Winner
Best Cashback Card
FAB Cashback (5%)
ENBD Duo (5%)
ADCB 365 (6%)
ADCB
Best Travel Card
Etihad Infinite
Skywards Infinite
Traveller (10% cashback)
ENBD
Best Points Program
Share Points (7%)
Rewards Points
TouchPoints (devalued)
FAB
Best Free Card
Share Standard
Duo (conditional)
Talabat Card
Tie
Lounge Access
Limited
Unlimited (Skywards)
Limited
ENBD
Innovation
Etihad partnership
Emaar partnership
Talabat, co-branded
ADCB
Real-World Value Calculations
Scenario: Moderate Spender (AED 5,000/month total)
ADCB 365 Cashback
AED 1,440/year
(AED 2,000 dining × 6% × 12) - AED 365 fee = AED 1,075 after first year
FAB Cashback
AED 900/year
(AED 2,000 dining × 5% × 12) - AED 300 fee = AED 900
ENBD Duo
AED 1,200/year
(AED 2,000 dining × 5% × 12) - AED 0 fee = AED 1,200 (if you meet AED 5k spend requirement)
Winner: ENBD Duo (if you meet spend requirement), otherwise ADCB 365
Which Bank Should You Choose?
The best bank depends on your spending pattern:
- Choose FAB if: You want the best points program (Share Points), prefer Etihad for travel, or want a strong Abu Dhabi presence. Best for grocery shoppers and Etihad frequent flyers.
- Choose ENBD if: You fly Emirates frequently, want unlimited lounge access, or prefer Dubai-based banking. Best for frequent travelers and Emirates Skywards members.
- Choose ADCB if: You want the highest cashback rates (6% on dining), prefer innovative co-branded cards (Talabat), or want simple cashback over points. Best for diners and cashback seekers.
The Verdict: Overall Winner
Overall Bank Comparison Results
Best for Cashback
ADCB
ADCB 365 offers 6% cashback on dining - the highest rate among the three banks.
Best for Travel
ENBD
ENBD’s Emirates Skywards Infinite offers unlimited lounge access and strong miles rates.
Best for Points
FAB
FAB Share Points program offers 7% on groceries with reasonable redemption value.
Most Innovative
ADCB
ADCB leads with co-branded cards (Talabat) and innovative partnerships.
Final Recommendation: There’s no single “best” bank - each excels in different areas. For most consumers, we recommend using cards from multiple banks (card stacking) to maximize rewards across categories. Use our Card Stack Builder to find your optimal combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank has the best credit cards overall?
It depends on your needs. ADCB offers the best cashback rates (6% on dining), ENBD offers the best travel benefits (unlimited lounge access), and FAB offers the best points program (7% Share Points). For most people, using cards from multiple banks (card stacking) provides the best overall value.
Can I have credit cards from multiple banks?
Yes! In fact, using cards from multiple banks strategically (called “card stacking”) can maximize your rewards. For example, use ADCB 365 for dining (6%), FAB Share for groceries (7%), and ENBD Skywards for travel. This approach often yields better results than using a single bank.
Which bank has the lowest fees?
All three banks offer free cards (no annual fee). ENBD Duo and FAB Share Standard are both free, while ADCB has the Talabat card. For paid cards, fees range from AED 300-2,625 depending on the card tier. Compare the net value (rewards - fees) rather than just the fee amount.
Is ADCB TouchPoints program worth it?
Unfortunately, ADCB TouchPoints were significantly devalued. 50,000 points now redeem for only AED 200 (0.004 AED per point), making it one of the lowest-value points programs. We recommend ADCB’s cashback cards (365 Cashback, Talabat) instead of TouchPoints cards.
Which bank is best for Emirates frequent flyers?
ENBD’s Emirates Skywards Infinite is the clear winner for Emirates frequent flyers. It offers 2.75 miles per USD on Emirates flights, unlimited lounge access, and premium travel benefits. The annual fee of AED 2,625 is easily justified if you travel frequently and use lounge access.
How do I compare cards from different banks?
Use our Credit Card Stack Builder tool. Enter your spending across all categories, and it will calculate your exact annual rewards for cards from all three banks (and others), showing you which bank’s cards offer the best net value for your specific spending pattern.
Compare All Three Banks’ Cards
Don’t guess which bank is best for you. Our Card Stack Builder includes cards from FAB, ENBD, ADCB, and all other UAE banks, calculating your exact rewards to show you the best combination.
Compare All Banks