Does a balance transfer cost you less?
Banks offer plans that move a balance onto fixed monthly instalments, from 0% with a fee up to rates near the card’s own. The fee and rate decide the cost.
How does the comparison work?
The plan is repaid in equal monthly instalments at the reducing rate you enter, plus the one-off fee. The comparison pays the same monthly amount to your card at the card’s rate until the balance clears. Some banks quote a flat rate. A flat rate is charged on the full original balance every month, so it costs more than the same reducing rate: Emirates NBD shows its 0.29% to 1.99% flat range as 0.53% to 3.46% reducing.
Worked example: AED 10,000 on a 12-month 0% plan with a AED 51.45 fee costs AED 51.45 and AED 833.33 a month. The same AED 833.33 a month on a card at 3.69% costs AED 3,451.62 in interest.
| Bank | Rate | Fees | Early settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADCB | Up to 3.69% a month | AED 52.50 processing on 0% plans and card loans | AED 210 |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai | Up to 1.39% a month on balance transfers | Processing fee on 0% balance transfers printed as up to 6.3% per month | 1.05% or AED 105, whichever is higher |
| Emirates NBD | 0.29% to 1.99% flat a month (0.53% to 3.46% reducing) | Up to 5% on 0% bookings; AED 51.45 on 0% instalment plans | 1.05% of principal outstanding |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | Up to 2.75% a month on the principal | Up to 4% | 1.05% or AED 10,500, whichever is lower |
| HSBC | 0% to 29.88% a year, reducing | None stated for balance transfers | AED 0 |
| RAKBANK | Not stated in the guide | Not stated for balance transfers | AED 261.45 plus the current month’s interest |
Read how balance transfers work and instalment plans.
Sources
- Credit Card Services and Price GuideEmirates NBD. Dated February 2026 on the Arabic page. Read 12 November 2026.
- Key Facts Statement, Credit CardsEmirates NBD. Marked effective 1 March 2026, pages dated 08/2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Conventional Cards Key Facts StatementFirst Abu Dhabi Bank. Document titled September 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Schedule of FeesAbu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Effective 1 September 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- UAE Schedule of Services and TariffsHSBC Bank Middle East Limited. Effective 26 October 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Credit Card Schedule of ChargesCommercial Bank of Dubai. Undated document. Some rows marked effective 17 December 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- Consumer Credit Card Service and Price GuideRAKBANK. With effect from 13 May 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- Regulation No. 29/2011 Regarding Bank Loans and Other Services Offered to Individual Customers, Article (5) Credit CardsCentral Bank of the UAE. Circular 29/2011, effective 23 March 2011, shown as in force. Read 12 November 2026.