Hi everyone,

Not sure this is the right forum for it; feel free to move it to a more appropriate place if needed.

I'm applying for a UAE bank account and credit card and definitely want one where I can save Emirates Skywards miles. As far as I know, there are two banks giving this opportunity: Emirates NBD ("NBD") and Citibank ("Citi")

NBD
- Skywards Signature: 700 AED yearly fee (1500 AED first year); 0.75 miles per USD spent domestic, 1 mile per USD spent int'l, 1.5 miles per USD spent on Emirates; 25% for supermarket, 10% for utilities.
- Skywards Infinite: 1500 AED yearly fee (3000 AED first year); 1 mile per USD spent domestic, 1.5 miles per USD spent int'l, 2 miles per USD spent on Emirates; 25% for supermarket, 10% for utilities.

Further advantages to Infinite: (1) 25,000 miles joining bonus; 25,000 miles when spending 25,000 USD in the first 3 months; 25,000 miles when spending 7,500 USD on Emirates flights. (2) Complimentary silver status. (3) membership to Rotana 1 year
Further advantages with both NBD cards: (1) valet parking; (2) lounge access 650+ lounges; (3) car service; (4) 20% discount in participating restaurants; etc etc


CITI
- Emirates World: yearly fee 400 AED; 0.75 miles per USD spent domestic; 1 mile per USD spent int'l; 50% for supermarket; 0% for utilities
- Emirates Ultimate: yearly fee 800 AED; 1 mile per USD spent domestic; 1.25 miles per USD spent int'l; 50% for supermarket; 0% for utilities
- Emirates Ultima: yearly fee 3000 AED; 1.5 miles per USD spent domestic; 2 miles per USD spent int'l; 50% for supermarket; 0% for utilities

Comparing CITI Ultimate to NBD Infinite, you get more or less the same miles (less on int'l spent; more on groceries). But CITI Ultimate includes advantages: (1) access to 650+ lounges (same as NBD); (2) 20% discount in participating restaurants; (3) DISCOVERY BLACK MEMBERSHIP till July 2018, etc

The 3rd benefit of CITI seems interesting: you get GOLD status with QATAR and OneWorld alliance, GOLD status with Herz, upgrades/late checkout/$100 credit in IHG group hotels when booking through the concierge. This seems like a huge benefit to me.

So, am I missing something, or does CITI Ultimate really outweigh NBD Infinite here? Apart from the potentially 75,000 miles, I only see advantages with CITI. Plus their annual rate is half of NBD's.

I would prefer NBD as a banking partner over CITI, but I prefer CITI over having to deal with 2 banks (account with NBD, credit card with CITI).

Anyone has a different opinion/view on this?


PS. I believe CITI charges you a finance charge on any open amount even if you fully pay your credit by the end of the month; NBD doesn't have a finance charge except on cash advance. If that is true, it would be a win for NBD

I have the ultimate Citi card. Pretty average points wise - and no they don't charge if you pay off in full.

Have the ENBD card. Have had it for some years (back when they offered 2pts/$ on everything). To be honest, other than lounge access the rarely use other services.

For the UAE, I've found that it's best to have your CC and Bank Account at the same institution (although now it appears that you can make cheap wire transfers within the UAE). It makes bill pay much easier. Emirates NBD is good for the UAE as a bank (website has improved and ios app is decent) as it is very well plugged into all local services for online payment (telephone, utilities, RTA, etc) and you can generally use you CC to pay these services.

You should factor the signing bonus into your decision, though. That's real value against the annual fees. You can always switch later!

I'm with NBD (although no longer with their Skywards products) and am generally very pleased with them. They were the only bank willing to give me a credit card without a security cheque as long as I maintained a salary account with them (which I do).

I used to have an account with CITI a few years ago and - apart from the app - they're offering the same services as NBD in terms of online payment. I agree with you it's best to have your CC and bank account at the same institution, hence my doubt between CITI and NBD.

Although I'd prefer MBD now because of their overall service and ATM availability, I can't see a way over the advantages CITI is giving in cooperation with Mastercard (GOLD qatar etc)...

I have both cards and I can say I greatly think the citi card is better. Their IT is better you can see exactly who has a hold on your card and how much. NBD you can't see anything until it posts. Citi gives you a further bonus on EK tickets purchased in AED (you can now change tickets purchased from an out station on EK to pay in AED on the EK webpage and get the same bonus). Also citi gives you a bonus on any foreign currency purchase. Plus the fee is less for the Ultimate, which I'd go for.

It's also an international bank...