The FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card, offered by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), is a premium card designed for high-income earners looking for substantial rewards, travel benefits, and exclusive lifestyle perks. This detailed review will explore the card’s features, benefits, fees, and how it compares to similar cards in the market.
Key Features and Benefits
1. Rewards Program: The FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card provides a lucrative rewards program:
- Great Rewards: Use this card to buy things and earn up to 5 FAB Rewards points for every AED 1 you spend.
- Flexible Redemption: Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including travel bookings, shopping vouchers, and bill payments.
- Welcome Bonus: New cardholders can receive up to 200,000 FAB Rewards points upon meeting the initial spending criteria.
2. Travel Benefits:
- Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, offering a comfortable travel experience.
- Travel Insurance: When you use your card for holidays, you get complete travel coverage for you and your family, making sure you can relax and have fun on your trips!
- Airport Transfers: Complimentary airport transfer services, making travel more convenient.
3. Lifestyle Perks:
- Dining Discounts: Exclusive discounts and offers at various high-end restaurants.
- Concierge Services: Round-the-clock help with booking trips, reserving restaurants, and getting event tickets!
- Shopping Benefits: Access to special offers and promotions at luxury retail stores.
4. Additional Benefits:
- Extended Warranties: Get double the repair time of the original manufacturer’s warranty, for up to one extra year!
- Purchase Protection: Get coverage if your stuff gets stolen or damaged on eligible buys!
- Global Assistance: Emergency assistance services available worldwide.
Fees and Rates
- Interest Rate: 2.75% per month, which is competitive for a card in this category.
- Minimum Salary Requirement: AED 30,000 per month, catering to high-income earners.
- Annual Fee: AED 2,500, which is justified by the extensive benefits and rewards offered.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great Rewards Program: Earn lots of points on everything you buy and have plenty of ways to use them!
- Cool Travel Perks: Get into airport lounges, have travel insurance, and enjoy airport rides!
- Exclusive Lifestyle Perks: Discounts on dining, 24/7 concierge services, and luxury shopping benefits.
- Welcome Bonus: Substantial initial rewards for new cardholders.
Cons:
- High Annual Fee: AED 2,500, which may be a deterrent for some potential users.
- Interest Rate: 2.75% per month is relatively high, which could be a disadvantage for those carrying a balance.
- High Minimum Salary Requirement: AED 30,000, making it less accessible to lower-income earners.
Point-by-Point Comparison of the FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card with Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card, ADCB Infinite Credit Card, and HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
1. Rewards Program
- FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card: The FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card offers high rewards rates of up to 5 FAB Rewards points per AED 1 spent on all purchases. Points can be redeemed flexibly for various rewards, including travel bookings, shopping vouchers, and bill payments.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card: This card focuses on earning Skywards Miles for every spend, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses with Emirates and its partners.
- ADCB Infinite Credit Card: Cardholders earn TouchPoints on every spend, which can be redeemed for travel, shopping, dining, and more. The TouchPoints program offers versatile redemption options.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: This card allows cardholders to earn Rewards Points on every spend, which can be redeemed for travel, shopping, and other rewards. The points can be used flexibly across various categories.
2. Welcome Bonus
- FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card: New cardholders can receive up to 200,000 FAB Rewards points upon meeting the initial spending criteria.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card: This card offers up to 75,000 Skywards Miles as a welcome bonus, providing a significant boost for new users.
- ADCB Infinite Credit Card: Offers a welcome bonus of up to 200,000 TouchPoints for new cardholders, enhancing the initial value of the card.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: Provides a welcome bonus of up to 200,000 Rewards Points, making it highly attractive for new users who meet the spending requirements.
3. Travel Benefits
- FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card: Includes complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance coverage for cardholders and their families, and complimentary airport transfer services.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card: Get unlimited free lounge access for you and a guest, full travel insurance, and up to four free airport rides every year.
- ADCB Infinite Credit Card: Provides complimentary airport lounge access globally, comprehensive travel insurance, and meet-and-greet services at selected airports.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: Includes unlimited complimentary lounge access, global concierge services, and comprehensive travel insurance for cardholders and their families.
4. Lifestyle Perks
- FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card: Cardholders enjoy exclusive discounts and offers at high-end restaurants, 24/7 concierge services for assistance with travel, dining, and event tickets, and access to special offers and promotions at luxury retail stores.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card: Offers discounts on dining and shopping via Skywards Miles, complimentary golf access up to two rounds per month, and 24/7 concierge services.
- ADCB Infinite Credit Card: Provides discounts on dining, shopping, and wellness services via TouchPoints, complimentary golf rounds at select courses, and 24/7 concierge services.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: Offers a wide range of lifestyle benefits, including discounts across dining, shopping, and travel, complimentary golf access at select courses, and 24/7 personal assistance through concierge services.
5. Fees and Rates
- FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card: Features an interest rate of 2.75% per month, a minimum salary requirement of AED 30,000, and an annual fee of AED 2,500.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card: Has an interest rate around 2.99% per month, a lower minimum salary requirement of AED 25,000, and an annual fee of AED 3,000.
- ADCB Infinite Credit Card: Has an interest rate of about 3.25% per month, requires you to earn at least AED 30,000 a month, and costs AED 2,500 annually.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: Comes with an interest rate around 2.99% per month, a higher minimum salary requirement of AED 50,000, and an annual fee of AED 2,000.
6. Additional Benefits
- FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card: Includes extended warranties, purchase protection against theft or damage, and global emergency assistance services.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card: Offers similar additional benefits such as extended warranties, purchase protection, and global emergency assistance.
- ADCB Infinite Credit Card: Provides extended warranties, purchase protection, and global emergency assistance services.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: Includes comprehensive extended warranties, purchase protection, and global emergency assistance services.
How does the FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card Compare to Rival Cards?
The FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card excels with its high rewards rate of up to 5 FAB Rewards points per AED 1 spent and a substantial welcome bonus of up to 200,000 points, surpassing its rivals in initial and ongoing rewards potential. Its comprehensive travel benefits, including complimentary airport lounge access, extensive travel insurance, and free airport transfers, are comparable to those offered by the Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite and HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard. However, the FAB card’s minimum salary requirement of AED 30,000 and annual fee of AED 2,500 are on par with the ADCB Infinite Card but higher than the Emirates NBD card’s requirements. The interest rate of 2.75% per month is competitive but still relatively high, similar to its competitors. While the FAB card offers extensive lifestyle perks and flexible reward redemptions, its rewards are not as travel-centric as the Skywards Miles from Emirates NBD, making it less ideal for frequent flyers. Additionally, the FAB card’s luxury shopping benefits and concierge services are strong but face tough competition from the comprehensive offerings of the HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard. Overall, the FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card is a compelling option for high-income earners seeking substantial rewards and extensive perks, though its high fees and salary requirements may be a drawback for some users.
Conclusion
The FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card offers a robust rewards program with high earning rates and flexible redemption options, making it highly attractive for frequent spenders. Its comprehensive travel benefits, including airport lounge access and travel insurance, and exclusive lifestyle perks like dining discounts and concierge services, add significant value. However, its high annual fee and interest rate, along with a substantial minimum salary requirement, might be considered drawbacks. Compared to similar cards like the Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card, ADCB Infinite Credit Card, and HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard, the FAB Rewards Infinite Credit Card stands out for its generous rewards and extensive perks, making it a compelling option for high-income earners seeking premium benefits.