Citi Cash Back Credit Card review
The rate structure is easy to follow: 3% cashback on international non-AED purchases, 2% on groceries and supermarkets, and 1% on everything else. Crucially, Citi states there is no minimum spend, no excluded retail purchases and no caps up to the monthly credit limit, a genuinely uncommon setup in the UAE. Cashback under the Citi Dollars program simply accrues and is credited back to the account automatically.
Beyond cashback, the card keeps its entry-level positioning friendly. A free first year and an easy AED 9,000 annual-spend waiver make it effectively free, and it still bundles eight lounge visits a year via Mastercard Travel Pass and a monthly Talabat discount. For an AED 8,000 salary requirement, uncapped cashback plus lounge access is a strong combination.
Two caveats matter: the 1% base rate on local non-grocery spend is average, and a 2.99% foreign transaction margin offsets much of the headline 3% earned on international spend.
Card details
| Bank | Citibank |
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| Card type | Cashback |
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| Card network | Mastercard |
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| Minimum salary | AED 8,000 |
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| Annual fee | AED 315 |
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| Fee waiver | There is no annual fee in year 1. From year 2 onwards the card is free when the minimum annual spend of AED 9,000 is met; otherwise AED 300 plus 5% VAT applies. |
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| Interest (monthly) | 3.50% |
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| Reward type | Cashback |
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| Reward rate | Earn 3% cashback on non-AED international spend, 2% on grocery and supermarket spend and 1% on all other spend.The official site states there is no minimum spend and no retail purchases excluded. No cashback applies to utility bill payments via Citibank online, mobile or phone channels, spend above the credit limit within a statement cycle, bank fees and finance charges, cash advances, balance transfers or loan on card, exchange-house FX purchases, Citi insurance products, securities purchases, UAE Direct Debit transactions, 0% EPP conversions or business/third-party use. There is no cap; the official site cites no minimum spend, no retail purchases excluded and no caps up to the monthly credit limit, with cashback accruing only on spend within the credit limit per statement cycle. Cashback under the Citi Dollars program accrues and is credited automatically to the card account. Cashback is forfeited on card closure, arrears or death, with no stated expiry while the card stays open and in good standing. |
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| Welcome bonus | New Citi credit card customers applying directly through the Citi website receive an AED 150 joining bonus as a statement credit after spending at least AED 6,000 within 60 days.New Citi Credit Card customers only | Apply directly through Citi website | Spend AED 6,000 within 60 days | Bonus paid as statement credit |
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| Lounge access | Both the primary and supplementary cardholder can access 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, with 8 visits a year subject to non-AED spend, arranged via the Mastercard Travel Pass app. |
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| Quick cash | A Loan on Card cash loan feature is available; the cash advance fee is 3% (minimum AED 99, maximum AED 250). |
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| Balance transfer | Balance Transfer on Card is offered with a processing fee of up to 6% of the transferred amount. |
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| Instalment plan | An Easy Installment Plan carries a processing fee of up to 4% and a 1% early settlement fee on the remaining balance; 0% EPP transactions earn no cashback. |
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Welcome bonus: New Citi credit card customers applying directly through the Citi website receive an AED 150 joining bonus as a statement credit after spending at least AED 6,000 within 60 days.
Terms: New Citi Credit Card customers only | Apply directly through Citi website | Spend AED 6,000 within 60 days | Bonus paid as statement credit
Citi Cash Back Credit Card benefits
✓Unlimited 3% cashback on international non-AED spend
✓2% on groceries and 1% on everything else with no caps
✓Cashback credited automatically with no redemption needed
✓8 lounge visits a year via Mastercard Travel Pass
✓20% Talabat discount up to AED 14 once a month
✓Free first year with an easy AED 9,000 spend waiver thereafter
Offers and payment options
Quick cashA Loan on Card cash loan feature is available; the cash advance fee is 3% (minimum AED 99, maximum AED 250).
Balance transferBalance Transfer on Card is offered with a processing fee of up to 6% of the transferred amount.
Instalment planAn Easy Installment Plan carries a processing fee of up to 4% and a 1% early settlement fee on the remaining balance; 0% EPP transactions earn no cashback.
Citi Cash Back Credit Card fees & charges
| Annual percentage rate (APR) | 42.00% current until 30 Sep 2026; 44.28% effective 01 Oct 2026 |
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| Cash advance fee | 3% of cash advance amount or AED 99 whichever is higher, max charge AED 250 |
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| Late payment fee | 241.50 |
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| Over-limit fee | 261.45 |
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| Foreign currency fee | 2.99 |
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| Minimum payment | Higher of AED 100 or 2.74% of current balance |
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| Interest-free period | up to 52 days (min 21) |
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| Card replacement fee | 52.50 |
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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?
This card suits anyone earning AED 8,000 or more who wants simple, uncapped, auto-credited cashback, particularly on international and grocery spend.
What works well
- ✓Uncapped cashback across all three tiers, which is rare in the UAE market
- ✓Automatic statement credit with no redemption thresholds
- ✓Accessible salary requirement and an effectively free card
What to weigh up
- −1% base rate on local non-grocery spend is average
- −No cashback on utility bills paid via Citibank channels
- −A 2.99% foreign transaction margin eats into the 3% international cashback
Citi Cash Back Credit Card eligibility
Requires a minimum income of AED 8,000 per month; open to UAE nationals or residents aged 18 to 64 at application.
▤Emirates ID▤Passport▤Valid UAE visa copy▤Salary account IBAN
Citi Cash Back Credit Card FAQs
Requires a minimum income of AED 8,000 per month; open to UAE nationals or residents aged 18 to 64 at application.
The listed annual fee is AED 315. There is no annual fee in year 1. From year 2 onwards the card is free when the minimum annual spend of AED 9,000 is met; otherwise AED 300 plus 5% VAT applies.
Earn 3% cashback on non-AED international spend, 2% on grocery and supermarket spend and 1% on all other spend.
This card suits anyone earning AED 8,000 or more who wants simple, uncapped, auto-credited cashback, particularly on international and grocery spend.
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.
