The Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa Credit Card offers a range of premium benefits and rewards aimed at frequent travelers and high spenders. Here’s a detailed review of its features, rewards, and benefits:
Key Features:
- Salaam Points Program:
- Earn points on all spends, with enhanced points for travel-related expenses.
- International Purchases: 6 Salaam Points per AED.
- Airlines, Hotels, and Travel: 4 Salaam Points per AED.
- Local Spends: 2 Salaam Points per AED.
- Government Payments, Utilities, etc.: 1 Salaam Point per AED.
- Welcome Bonus:
- New Customers: AED 2,500 bonus when spending AED 15,000 in the first two months.
- Existing Customers: AED 500 bonus for the same spending criteria.
- Travel Benefits:
- Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide for both primary and supplementary cardholders, plus a guest.
- Complimentary Airport Transfers: Up to 6 transfers per year upon spending AED 10,000 in the previous billing cycle.
- Travel Insurance: Complimentary multi-trip insurance for trips up to 90 days.
- Lifestyle Benefits:
- Valet Parking: 2 free valet parkings per billing cycle in premium Dubai and Abu Dhabi locations, with a minimum spend of AED 10,000.
- Fitness First Membership: Unlimited visits with a minimum spend of AED 10,000 in the previous billing cycle.
- Golf Privileges: 6 complimentary games per billing cycle at exclusive UAE golf clubs, with up to 2 weekend games.
- Marhaba Meet & Greet: 6 complimentary services per year with a minimum spend of AED 10,000.
- Movie Tickets: 50% discount on 8 tickets per billing month across VOX, Reel, and Novo Cinemas.
- Car Assistance Services:
- Complimentary vehicle registration renewal pick-up/drop-off and servicing pick-up/drop-off services.
- Exclusive Visa Offers: Access to special deals and discounts.
Financial Details:
- Annual Fee: AED 1,500 + 5% VAT (Primary), AED 600 + 5% VAT (Supplementary).
- Interest-Free Period: Up to 55 days.
- Interest Rate: 3.85% per month.
- PayProtect Insurance: 0.99% of your monthly statement balance will be charged, and 5% VAT is extra.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Travel Benefits: Extensive airport lounge access, complimentary airport transfers, and travel insurance make it ideal for frequent travelers.
- High Reward Rates: Generous Salaam Points, especially on international and travel-related spends.
- Lifestyle Perks: Fitness First access, valet parking, golf games, and movie ticket discounts add substantial value.
- Welcome Bonus: Attractive welcome bonus for both new and existing customers.
Cons:
- High Annual Fee: The annual fee of AED 1,500 (+ VAT) is on the higher side, though it might be justified by the benefits offered.
- Spending Requirements: Many perks require a minimum spend of AED 10,000 in the previous billing cycle, which may be high for some users.
- Exclusions on Salaam Points: Certain spends, like bill payments via Mashreq Online or Mobile, do not earn Salaam Points.
Point-by-point comparison of the Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa Credit Card, Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card, and ADCB TouchPoints Platinum Credit Card.
Reward Points
International Purchases:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 6 Salaam Points per AED.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: 3.5 Skywards Miles per USD.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: 4 TouchPoints per AED.
Local Spends:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 2 Salaam Points per AED.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: 2.5 Skywards Miles per USD.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: 2 TouchPoints per AED.
Special Categories (Airlines, Hotels, Travel):
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 4 Salaam Points per AED.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Not specifically differentiated.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not specifically differentiated.
Government Payments, Utilities, etc.:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 1 Salaam Point per AED.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Not differentiated.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not differentiated.
Welcome Bonus:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: AED 2,500 (new customers) or AED 500 (existing customers) after spending AED 15,000 in 2 months.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Up to 50,000 Skywards Miles upon meeting spending criteria.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: 20,000 TouchPoints on the first purchase.
Travel Benefits
Airport Lounge Access:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: Access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide for both the cardholder and a guest.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Complimentary lounge access for cardholder and guest at over 1,000 lounges globally.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Complimentary access to select lounges in the UAE.
Complimentary Airport Transfers:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 6 per year.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Up to 4 airport transfers per year.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not included.
Travel Insurance:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: Complimentary multi-trip insurance for trips up to 90 days.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Complimentary multi-trip travel insurance.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Complimentary travel insurance on booking tickets with the card.
Lifestyle Benefits
Valet Parking:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 2 free valet parking services per billing cycle.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: 4 free valet parking services per month.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: 2 complimentary valet parking services per month.
Fitness Membership:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: Unlimited access to Fitness First with a minimum spend of AED 10,000.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Not included.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not included.
Golf Privileges:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 6 complimentary games per billing cycle.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Up to 2 free rounds of golf per month.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not included.
Meet & Greet Services:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 6 complimentary Marhaba Meet & Greet services per year.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Complimentary Silver Meet & Greet services at Dubai International Airport.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not included.
Movie Ticket Discounts:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 8 tickets per month half price across VOX, Reel, and Novo Cinemas.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Not included.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not included.
Car Assistance Services
Vehicle Services:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 1 complimentary vehicle registration (renewal) pick-up/drop-off and 2 complimentary vehicle servicing pick-up/drop-offs per year with a minimum spend of AED 10,000.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Not included.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Not included.
Financial Details
Annual Fee:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: AED 1,500 + 5% VAT (Primary), AED 600 + 5% VAT (Supplementary).
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: AED 3,000 (Primary), AED 1,500 (Supplementary).
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: AED 1,050 (Primary), AED 525 (Supplementary).
Interest-Free Period:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: Up to 55 days.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: Up to 55 days.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Up to 55 days.
Interest Rate:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: 3.85% per month.
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: 3.25% per month.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: 3.50% per month.
Payment Protection Insurance:
- Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa: Costs you 0.99% of the monthly statement balance (+5% VAT).
- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite: If you choose this insurance it costs 0.99% of the outstanding balance.
- ADCB TouchPoints Platinum: Optional at 0.89% of the monthly outstanding balance.
The Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa Credit Card is an excellent choice for those who frequently spend on international purchases and highly value travel and lifestyle benefits. With its high reward points of 6 Salaam Points per AED on international spends, extensive travel perks including access to over 1000 airport lounges worldwide, 6 complimentary airport transfers per year, and comprehensive travel insurance, it caters exceptionally well to frequent travelers. Additionally, the card’s diverse lifestyle benefits, such as free valet parking, unlimited access to Fitness First gyms, substantial golf privileges, and significant movie ticket discounts, provide considerable value. The inclusion of vehicle assistance services further enhances its appeal, making it a superior option for individuals seeking a well-rounded premium credit card experience.
Conclusion
The Mashreq Solitaire Infinite Visa Credit Card is packed with high-value rewards and perks, especially for frequent travelers and high spenders. The extensive travel benefits, reward points, and lifestyle perks make it a strong contender in the premium credit card segment. However, the high annual fee and spending requirements may not suit everyone. Evaluate your spending habits and travel needs to determine if this card aligns with your lifestyle.