The CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card offers a variety of attractive benefits and rewards, making it a competitive option for those who spend frequently on Etisalat channels, the Smiles App, and elGrocer. Here’s a closer look at what this card has to offer:
Welcome Bonus: One of the standout features is the generous welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn 100,000 Smiles points by spending AED 2,000 within the first 30 days of card issuance. This offer is valid from January 1, 2024, to May 31, 2024, and is available for cards issued within this period.
First-Year Benefits: The card comes with several first-year perks. The annual fee of AED 999 is waived, and users get a one-year complimentary subscription to ‘Unlimited Buy 1 Get 1 Offers’ worth AED 200. Additionally, there’s a discount coupon worth AED 100 from Yallacompare, and supplementary cards are free for life.
Earning Smiles Points: Cardholders earn 10 Smiles points per AED spent on Etisalat channels, the Smiles App, and elGrocer, capped at 25,000 points per month. International spends earn up to 3 points per AED, while domestic spends earn up to 2 points per AED. There’s also a quarterly bonus of 15,000 Smiles points worth up to AED 150.
Redeeming Smiles Points: Smiles points can be redeemed for a variety of uses, including paying Etisalat bills, prepaid recharges, food delivery, smartphones, shopping vouchers, groceries, and pharmacies.
Lifestyle Benefits: The card includes a range of lifestyle benefits. Cardholders can enjoy 4 complimentary rounds of golf each month at Trump International Golf Club with monthly retail spends of AED 7,500. There’s also a 50% discount on 4 cinema tickets per month at VOX, Reel, or Novo cinemas, and 3 complimentary valet parking services each month at over 30 locations in the UAE. Additionally, there are discounts on over 500 lifestyle offers through the CBD Mobile app and various discounts at Emaar attractions.
Additional Perks:
- Play DXB Bonus Credits: Earn bonus credits when purchasing credits using the CBD Credit Card.
- Credit Shield: Protects against unforeseen events with a 1% monthly fee of the outstanding balance.
- Airport Lounge Access: Up to 8 complimentary visits per year at over 1,000 lounges worldwide via Lounge Key, with conditions on minimum international spends.
- Travel Insurance: Multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 500,000 for the cardholder and family.
- Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty: Additional protection against theft or accidental damage.
Eligibility and Terms: The card is available to new customers who apply between January 1, 2024, and May 31, 2024. To waive the annual fee from the second year onwards, cardholders must achieve an annual retail spend of AED 75,000.
Pros and Cons of the CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card
Pros:
- Generous Welcome Bonus:
- Earn 100,000 Smiles points by spending AED 2,000 within the first 30 days.
- First-Year Fee Waiver:
- The annual fee of AED 999 is waived for the first year.
- High Points Earning Rate:
- 10 Smiles points per AED spent on Etisalat channels, the Smiles App, and elGrocer (capped at 25,000 points per month).
- Up to 3 points on international spends and up to 2 points on domestic spends.
- Valuable Redemption Options:
- Points can be redeemed for Etisalat bills, prepaid recharges, food delivery, smartphones, shopping vouchers, groceries, and pharmacies.
- Lifestyle Benefits:
- 4 complimentary rounds of golf monthly at Trump International Golf Club.
- 50% discount on 4 cinema tickets monthly at VOX, Reel, or Novo cinemas.
- 3 complimentary valet parking services monthly at over 30 locations in the UAE.
- Discounts on over 500 lifestyle offers through the CBD Mobile app and various Emaar attractions.
- Additional Perks:
- Multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 500,000.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Up to 8 complimentary airport lounge visits per year worldwide.
- Supplementary Cards:
- Free for life supplementary cards.
- Credit Shield:
- Protects against unforeseen events with a 1% monthly fee of the outstanding balance.
Cons:
- High Annual Fee After First Year:
- AED 999 + 5% VAT from the second year onwards, unless an annual retail spend of AED 75,000 is achieved.
- Spending Requirements for Benefits:
- Must spend AED 2,000 within 30 days to earn the welcome bonus.
- Monthly retail spend of AED 7,500 required for complimentary golf benefits.
- Monthly spend of AED 5,000 required for cinema and valet parking benefits.
- Points Cap:
- Monthly cap of 25,000 points on high-earning categories (Etisalat channels, Smiles App, and elGrocer).
- Limited Lounge Access:
- Only 8 complimentary visits per year, with conditions on minimum international spends for subsequent visits.
- Terms and Conditions:
- Some benefits and offers come with detailed terms and conditions that may limit usability.
- Smiles Points Redemption Value:
- The value of Smiles points may vary based on the redemption option, governed by Smiles T&Cs.
This card is ideal for those who frequently spend on Etisalat services, enjoy lifestyle perks like golf and cinema, and can meet the spending requirements to maximize the benefits. However, the high annual fee after the first year and the conditions attached to some benefits might be drawbacks for some users.
How does the CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card compare to rivals?
Welcome Bonus:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature: 100,000 Smiles points with AED 2,000 spend in 30 days.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Up to 75,000 Skywards Miles based on spend.
- ADCB Traveller: 150,000 TouchPoints with minimum spend in 90 days.
- HSBC Black: Up to 200,000 Air Miles with minimum spend in 90 days.
Annual Fee:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature: AED 999 (waived first year).
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: AED 1,500 (waived first year with conditions).
- ADCB Traveller: AED 1,050.
- HSBC Black: AED 1,575.
Earning Rate:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature:
- 10 points per AED on Etisalat channels, Smiles App, elGrocer (25,000 points/month cap).
- Up to 3 points on international spends.
- Up to 2 points on domestic spends.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite:
- 2.5 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates spends.
- 1.5 Skywards Miles per USD on international spends.
- 1 Skywards Mile per USD on local spends.
- ADCB Traveller:
- 6 TouchPoints per AED on airline and hotel bookings.
- 4 TouchPoints per AED on international spends.
- 2 TouchPoints per AED on local spends.
- HSBC Black:
- 1 Air Mile per AED on local spends.
- 2 Air Miles per AED on international spends.
Redemption:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature: Etisalat bills, prepaid recharges, food delivery, smartphones, shopping vouchers, groceries, pharmacies.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Emirates flights, upgrades, and other Skywards partners.
- ADCB Traveller: Flights, hotels, shopping, and bill payments.
- HSBC Black: Flights, hotels, car rentals, and shopping.
Lifestyle Benefits:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature:
- 4 complimentary rounds of golf at Trump International Golf Club.
- 50% discount on 4 cinema tickets per month.
- 3 complimentary valet parking services per month.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite:
- Unlimited complimentary golf at select clubs.
- 50% discount on VOX cinema tickets.
- Complimentary valet parking services.
- ADCB Traveller:
- Complimentary golf at select clubs.
- 20% discount on VOX cinema tickets.
- Complimentary valet parking services.
- HSBC Black:
- Complimentary golf at select clubs.
- Buy 1 Get 1 free offers on cinemas and dining.
- Complimentary valet parking services.
Additional Perks:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature:
- Up to 8 complimentary airport lounge visits.
- Multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 500,000.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite:
- Unlimited access to over 1,000 airport lounges.
- Multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 1 million.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
- ADCB Traveller:
- 8 complimentary airport lounge visits.
- Multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 500,000.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
- HSBC Black:
- Unlimited airport lounge access.
- Multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 500,000.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
Spending Requirements for Benefits:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature: AED 7,500 monthly for golf, AED 5,000 monthly for cinema and valet parking benefits.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: AED 5,500 monthly for lounge access and valet parking.
- ADCB Traveller: AED 5,000 monthly for valet parking benefits.
- HSBC Black: AED 6,000 monthly for valet parking benefits.
Supplementary Cards:
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature: Free for life.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Free for life with conditions.
- ADCB Traveller: Free for life.
- HSBC Black: Free for life.
Summary
- CBD Smiles Visa Signature: High welcome bonus, strong points earning on Etisalat channels, significant lifestyle benefits, moderate annual fee with high spending requirements for perks.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Excellent travel rewards, unlimited lounge access, high annual fee, and spending requirements, best for frequent Emirates flyers.
- ADCB Traveller: Competitive welcome bonus, strong travel rewards, moderate annual fee, balanced earning rates, lower spending requirements for benefits.
- HSBC Black: Generous welcome bonus, comprehensive travel perks, highest annual fee, strong earning rates on international spends, high spending requirements for valet parking benefits.
Conclusion: The CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card is a feature-rich card that offers a substantial welcome bonus, competitive points earning structure, and a variety of lifestyle benefits. It’s particularly beneficial for those who frequently use Etisalat services and the Smiles App, as well as those who enjoy golf, movies, and dining out. The complimentary valet parking and extensive discount offers add significant value, making daily expenses more rewarding.
Overall, if you meet the spending requirements and utilize the benefits, the CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card can be a valuable addition to your wallet, providing both financial rewards and lifestyle perks.