The CBD Smiles Visa Platinum Credit Card is designed to offer a range of rewards and benefits tailored to frequent shoppers and those who value lifestyle perks. Here’s a detailed review:
Welcome Benefits
- 40,000 Smiles Points: Earn 40,000 Smiles points when you spend AED 1,000 within 30 days of card issuance at Etisalat channels, Smiles App, and elGrocer.
- Complimentary Subscription: Enjoy 90 days of unlimited Buy 1 Get 1 offers worth AED 55.
- First Year Free: The AED 199 annual fee is waived for the first year.
- Discount Coupon: Receive a discount coupon worth AED 100 from Yallacompare.
- Supplementary Cards: Free for life.
Earning Smiles Points
- Etisalat Channels, Smiles App, elGrocer: 5 points per AED spent (monthly cap of 10,000 points).
- International Spends: Up to 2 points per AED spent.
- Domestic Spends: Up to 1.5 points per AED spent.
- Quarterly Bonus: Earn 7,500 Smiles points (worth up to AED 75) each quarter when specific spending thresholds are met.
Redeeming Smiles Points
Smiles points can be redeemed for:
- Etisalat Bills: Payment of Etisalat bills and prepaid recharges.
- Shopping: Purchase of smartphones, shopping vouchers, groceries, and more.
- Food Delivery: Ordering from various food delivery services.
Lifestyle Benefits
- Cinema Discounts: 50% off on 2 cinema tickets at Novo cinemas per month with a monthly spend of AED 2,000.
- Shopping & Dining Discounts: Access to discounts at over 500 lifestyle offers through the CBD Mobile app.
- Emaar Attractions: 20% discounts on various attractions such as KidZania, Dubai Aquarium, and The Storm Coaster at Dubai Hills Mall.
- Bonus Credits at Play DXB: Get bonus credits on purchases (e.g., AED 75 bonus credits on a AED 200 purchase).
Additional Benefits
- Credit Shield: Protect your outstanding balance with a 1% monthly fee.
- Visa Benefits: Enjoy purchase protection and extended warranty services offered by Visa.
Visa Platinum Card Benefits
- Insurance: Complimentary purchase protection and extended warranty.
- For more information on Visa Platinum Card benefits, visit Visa’s website.
Terms and Conditions
- Eligibility for Welcome Bonus: Applies to cards approved between 01 Jan 2024 and 31 May 2024.
- Exclusions: Customers who convert existing non-Smiles cards or reapply within 6 months of canceling their Smiles card are not eligible for welcome benefits.
- Annual Fees from Second Year: AED 199 plus 5% VAT, waived with an annual spend of AED 12,000.
- Quarterly Bonuses: 7,500 Smiles points for spending AED 27,500 in the previous quarter.
Warning
Failure to meet repayments can lead to arrears and negatively impact your credit rating, limiting future financing options.
Pros and Cons of the CBD Smiles Visa Platinum Credit Card
Pros:
- Generous Welcome Bonus:
- Receive 40,000 Smiles points after spending AED 1,000 within 30 days.
- Includes 90 days of complimentary ‘Unlimited Buy 1 Get 1 Offers’ worth AED 55.
- No Annual Fee for the First Year:
- The AED 199 annual fee is waived for the first year, making it a cost-effective choice initially.
- Supplementary Cards:
- Free for life, allowing additional family members to benefit without extra cost.
- High Earnings on Smiles Points:
- Earn 5 points per AED spent at Etisalat channels, the Smiles app, and elGrocer.
- Up to 2 points per AED on international spends and 1.5 points per AED on domestic spends.
- Quarterly bonus of 7,500 Smiles points for meeting spending thresholds.
- Lifestyle Benefits:
- 50% off on 2 Novo cinema tickets per month.
- Discounts at over 500 lifestyle offers via the CBD Mobile app.
- Substantial discounts at various Emaar attractions and Play DXB bonus credits.
- Visa Benefits:
- Complimentary ‘Purchase Protection’ and ‘Extended Warranty’ provided by Visa.
- Flexibility in Redemption:
- Points can be redeemed for Etisalat bills, food delivery, smartphones, shopping vouchers, groceries, and pharmacy purchases.
- Credit Shield:
- Provides insurance for the credit card balance, offering peace of mind in case of unforeseen events.
Cons:
- Spending Requirements for Benefits:
- The welcome bonus requires spending AED 1,000 within 30 days.
- To waive the annual fee from the second year onwards, a minimum annual spend of AED 12,000 is required.
- Monthly spends of AED 2,000 are needed to avail cinema discounts.
- Cap on Smiles Points:
- A monthly cap of 10,000 points on earning 5 points per AED at selected channels, potentially limiting rewards for high spenders.
- Annual Fee After First Year:
- AED 199 annual fee applies from the second year onwards if spending thresholds are not met.
- Complex Terms for Bonuses:
- The quarterly bonus points require specific cumulative spending in the previous quarter, which may be challenging for some users to track and achieve.
- Limited Redemption Value Control:
- The value of Smiles points varies based on the type of redemption, which is governed by Smiles’ terms and conditions, not the bank.
- Specific Spending Channels for Maximum Points:
- Maximum points are earned only on specific spending categories (Etisalat channels, Smiles app, elGrocer), which might not align with everyone’s spending habits.
Overall, the CBD Smiles Visa Platinum Credit Card offers substantial benefits, especially for frequent users of Etisalat services and those who can meet the spending requirements. However, potential users should be aware of the caps and conditions to fully maximize the card’s benefits.
CBD Smiles Visa Platinum Credit Card vs. Similar Rival Credit Cards
1. Welcome Bonus
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum:
- 40,000 Smiles points after spending AED 1,000 within 30 days.
- 90 days of complimentary ‘Unlimited Buy 1 Get 1 Offers’.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card:
- 50,000 TouchPoints after spending AED 5,000 in the first 60 days.
- No complimentary subscription offers.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card:
- 25,000 Skywards Miles upon first purchase.
- No complimentary subscription offers.
2. Annual Fee
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum:
- First-year free.
- AED 199 + VAT from the second year, waived with AED 12,000 annual spend.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card:
- AED 1,050 per year, waived with AED 30,000 annual spend.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card:
- AED 700 per year, waived with AED 20,000 annual spend.
3. Earnings on Spending
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum:
- 5 Smiles points per AED at Etisalat channels, Smiles app, and elGrocer (cap: 10,000 points/month).
- Up to 2 points per AED on international spends.
- Up to 1.5 points per AED on domestic spends.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card:
- 4 TouchPoints per AED on supermarket and dining spends.
- 2 TouchPoints per AED on other spends.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card:
- 1.5 Skywards Miles per USD on international spends.
- 1 Skywards Mile per USD on domestic spends.
4. Redemption Options
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum: Etisalat bills, prepaid recharges, food delivery, smartphones, shopping vouchers, groceries, and pharmacies.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card: Travel bookings, utility bill payments, shopping vouchers, and cashback.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card: Emirates flights, flight upgrades, and shopping vouchers.
5. Lifestyle Benefits
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum:
- 50% off on 2 Novo cinema tickets per month.
- Discounts at over 500 lifestyle offers via the CBD Mobile app.
- Emaar attractions discounts.
- Bonus credits at Play DXB.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card:
- Discounts on dining, travel, and entertainment through the ADCB rewards program.
- Complimentary golf rounds.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card:
- Complimentary golf rounds.
- Discounts on travel bookings through Emirates NBD Travel Desk.
- Buy 1 Get 1 offers via the Entertainer app.
6. Additional Benefits
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum:
- Credit Shield insurance.
- Visa benefits like ‘Purchase Protection’ and ‘Extended Warranty’.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card:
- Travel insurance.
- Purchase protection.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card:
- Complimentary travel insurance.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
7. Spending Requirements for Benefits
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum:
- AED 1,000 spend within 30 days for welcome bonus.
- AED 2,000 monthly spend for cinema discounts.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card:
- AED 5,000 spend in 60 days for welcome bonus.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card:
- First purchase for welcome bonus.
Summary:
- CBD Smiles Visa Platinum offers strong rewards for users of Etisalat services and provides significant lifestyle benefits and flexibility in point redemption. It is suitable for those who can leverage the Smiles ecosystem and meet the specific spending requirements.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Card offers higher initial bonus points and a broader range of earning categories, making it a versatile option for varied spending habits. However, the annual fee is higher unless substantial spending is maintained.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Platinum Card is ideal for frequent flyers with Emirates, offering travel-centric rewards and benefits. The annual fee waiver is relatively easier to achieve compared to ADCB but higher than CBD Smiles Visa Platinum.
Conclusion
The CBD Smiles Visa Platinum Credit Card is ideal for individuals who frequently shop at Etisalat channels and use the Smiles App, as it offers substantial rewards in the form of Smiles points. With additional lifestyle benefits such as cinema discounts and access to various shopping and dining offers, this card provides significant value to those who meet the spending requirements. However, the benefits are heavily geared towards those who can consistently achieve the specified spending thresholds to maximize rewards and fee waivers.