Charges and responsibilities go hand in hand with credits and facilities, meaning that credit cards are not for weak-willed spenders. It is important to be thrifty and wise if you are going to own a credit card in the United Arab Emirates, and there are some basic concerns that you should take into consideration before you apply for one in the Gulf region.
A credit card enables you to spend money on credit up to a predetermined limit, after which there will interest charges on the percentage of money borrowed from your credit card provider. Credit cards can be used for a number of different purposes, including shopping, debt repayment, school fees, daily expenditure, bill payments and travelling.
There are a number of things that UAE residents should take into account prior to using a credit card. Interest rates are a key concern. These can vary between providers, and it is important to keep an eye on them in order to avoid being charged high interest. There will also be an annual fee on your credit card, so you need to be certain of all terms and conditions before you sign anything. There may also be other fees and hidden charges in the small print which you should be aware of. If heading overseas, you will also need to be careful with regard to the exchange rate. The great majority of credit cards come with a minimum salary that you can avail, and it is important to be aware of exactly what that minimum is. Credit cards are often provided for different purposes by banks, so choose a card that is of benefit to you and be aware of any included offers. Know your credit limit.
There are a number of factors to think about when picking a credit card in the UAE. Interest rates are unlikely to concern you if you always pay off your balance in full, in which case it would be a good idea to look for UAE credit cards that instead reward you for spending. If you intend to use your credit card to pay off other debts, it is vital to get hold of a 0% balance transfer card. Frequent travellers should look for cards that have low exchange fees overseas and that offer air miles and higher rewards.
When it comes to everyday spending, it is important to choose a credit card that comes with offers such as buy one, get one free or cashback, and at a no or minimal annual fee. There are a few cards available in the UAE market that are like this, such as the Majid Al Futtaim (Najm) Blue Visa Card, which offers 2% cashback on all items bought from hypermarket Carrefour, and 1% on items bought elsewhere, as well as no annual fee, overseas usability and buy one, get one free movie tickets at all VOX cinemas within the region.
