CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card review
The standout rate is 10 Smiles points per AED on Etisalat/e& channels, the Smiles app and elGrocer, alongside up to 3 points per AED internationally and up to 2 points per AED domestically. A quarterly bonus of 5,000 points lands at the start of each quarter once you spend AED 10,000 in the prior quarter, though the 10x earning is capped at 25,000 points a month.
Points redeem flexibly for Etisalat bills, recharges, food delivery, smartphones, groceries and vouchers, and the card includes a 90-day complimentary Smiles Unlimited subscription that can renew free if you keep earning 25,000+ points on Smiles and Etisalat spend.
Rounding out the package are 8 lounge visits a year via LoungeKey, multi-trip travel insurance up to USD 500,000 and a AED 200 hotel discount through Smiles Unravel. The first-year fee is free and the AED 525 fee thereafter waives with AED 24,000 of annual spend.
Card details
| Bank | CBD |
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| Card type | Rewards |
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| Card network | Visa |
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| Co-brand | Smiles (e& / Etisalat) |
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| Minimum salary | AED 5,000 |
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| Annual fee | AED 525 |
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| Fee waiver | First year free. Annual fee of AED 500 + 5% VAT (AED 525) from year 2, waived subject to achieving a minimum annual retail spend of AED 24,000. Free-for-life supplementary cards. |
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| Interest (monthly) | 3.85% |
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| Reward type | Smiles Points |
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| Reward rate | 10 Smiles points per AED 1 on all Etisalat/e& channels, the Smiles app and elGrocer spend; up to 3 Smiles points per AED 1 on all international spend; up to 2 Smiles points per AED 1 on all domestic spend; plus a quarterly bonus of 5,000 Smiles pointsThe 5,000-point bonus is credited at the start of each calendar quarter on achieving cumulative spend of AED 10,000 in the previous calendar quarter. The 10x category covers Etisalat/e& channels (Mobile, eLife, Wasel), the Smiles app and elGrocer. The 10x Etisalat/Smiles/elGrocer earning is capped at 25,000 Smiles points per month. No cap is stated on the 2x domestic or 3x international earn. Redeem Smiles points for Etisalat bill payment, prepaid recharges, food delivery, smartphones, groceries, pharmacies, shopping vouchers and more. A 90-day complimentary Smiles Unlimited subscription (Buy 1 Get 1, free food and grocery delivery, waived home-service fees) applies, after which it renews free for 30-day periods if 25,000+ points are earned on Smiles/Etisalat spend in the prior 60 days, otherwise AED 29/month. |
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| Welcome bonus | First year annual fee free; an extra AED 200 discount on hotel bookings via Smiles Unravel (code issued within 30 days, valid 90 days); and a 90-day complimentary Smiles Unlimited subscriptionAnnual fee of AED 500 + VAT applies from year 2, waived on annual retail spend of AED 24,000 | AED 200 Smiles Unravel discount code issued within 30 days of card issuance, valid 90 days | 90-day complimentary Smiles Unlimited subscription |
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| Lounge access | Up to 8 complimentary visits per calendar year to 1,000+ lounges via LoungeKey. The 1st visit each year is free; subsequent visits require a minimum USD 1 international spend; USD 32 per visit is charged beyond 8 visits or if the condition is unmet. |
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| Quick cash | Cash on Call up to 90% of the limit, repayable over up to 36 months. New-customer welcome: 0% interest on 6- and 12-month plans within 30 days of issuance (processing fee 3.99% / 6%), until 30 June 2026. |
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| Balance transfer | Balance Transfer with 3-36 month plans. New-customer welcome: 0% interest on 6- and 12-month plans within 30 days of issuance (processing fee 3.99% / 6%), until 30 June 2026. |
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| Instalment plan | Easy installment plan over up to 36 months (conditions apply) |
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Welcome bonus: First year annual fee free; an extra AED 200 discount on hotel bookings via Smiles Unravel (code issued within 30 days, valid 90 days); and a 90-day complimentary Smiles Unlimited subscription
Terms: Annual fee of AED 500 + VAT applies from year 2, waived on annual retail spend of AED 24,000 | AED 200 Smiles Unravel discount code issued within 30 days of card issuance, valid 90 days | 90-day complimentary Smiles Unlimited subscription
CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card benefits
✓10 Smiles points per AED on Etisalat, the Smiles app and elGrocer (cap 25,000 pts/month)
✓Up to 3 pts/AED international and up to 2 pts/AED domestic
✓Quarterly 5,000 Smiles points bonus on AED 10,000 prior-quarter spend
✓90-day free Smiles Unlimited subscription
✓8 complimentary airport lounge visits per year via LoungeKey
✓Multi-trip travel insurance, 90 days, up to USD 500,000
✓AED 200 hotel discount via Smiles Unravel
Offers and payment options
Quick cashCash on Call up to 90% of the limit, repayable over up to 36 months. New-customer welcome: 0% interest on 6- and 12-month plans within 30 days of issuance (processing fee 3.99% / 6%), until 30 June 2026.
Balance transferBalance Transfer with 3-36 month plans. New-customer welcome: 0% interest on 6- and 12-month plans within 30 days of issuance (processing fee 3.99% / 6%), until 30 June 2026.
Instalment planEasy installment plan over up to 36 months (conditions apply)
CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card fees & charges
| Annual percentage rate (APR) | 46.20% |
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| Cash advance fee | AED 204.75 (cash withdrawal fee via ATM); interest 3.85% per month on cash advance |
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| Late payment fee | AED 241.50 |
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| Over-limit fee | AED 304.50 |
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| Foreign currency fee | 3.5% (foreign currency transaction fee); 1% dynamic currency conversion fee |
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| Card replacement fee | AED 78.75 |
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From the bank’s Key Facts Statement / Schedule of Charges. Some figures include and some exclude 5% VAT, a bank’s marketing page can differ from its Key Facts Statement, and fees change - always confirm with the bank before you apply.
Who should get this card?
It is built for e& (Etisalat) and Smiles app users who want to maximise Smiles points on telecom, grocery and lifestyle spending.
What works well
- ✓Very high 10x earning on Etisalat/e& and Smiles ecosystem spend
- ✓First year free and fee waivable with AED 24,000 annual spend
- ✓Smiles Unlimited perks and quarterly bonus points
What to weigh up
- −Top earn rate limited to Etisalat/Smiles/elGrocer and capped at 25,000 pts/month
- −Best value only for e& and Smiles ecosystem users
- −Base domestic earn of 2x is modest
CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card eligibility
Minimum salary of AED 5,000 (confirmed salaried employee). UAE National aged 21-65 at card expiry or UAE resident aged 21-63 at card issuance.
▤National ID or valid passport▤Residence visa▤Emirates ID▤Valid trade licence (if self-employed)
CBD Smiles Visa Signature Credit Card FAQs
Minimum salary of AED 5,000 (confirmed salaried employee). UAE National aged 21-65 at card expiry or UAE resident aged 21-63 at card issuance.
The listed annual fee is AED 525. First year free. Annual fee of AED 500 + 5% VAT (AED 525) from year 2, waived subject to achieving a minimum annual retail spend of AED 24,000. Free-for-life supplementary cards.
10 Smiles points per AED 1 on all Etisalat/e& channels, the Smiles app and elGrocer spend; up to 3 Smiles points per AED 1 on all international spend; up to 2 Smiles points per AED 1 on all domestic spend; plus a quarterly bonus of 5,000 Smiles points
It is built for e& (Etisalat) and Smiles app users who want to maximise Smiles points on telecom, grocery and lifestyle spending.
Product details are indicative and compiled from each bank’s official pages and Key Facts Statements; figures can differ between a bank’s marketing page and its Key Facts Statement, and fees, rates and VAT treatment change. We are not affiliated with, or authorised by, any bank - always confirm current fees, eligibility, rewards and terms directly with the issuing bank before applying. This page does not constitute financial advice.
