Skywards Black Credit Card review
Emirates Airlines spend earns up to 3.5 Skywards Miles per USD, with international purchases earning up to 2 miles and domestic up to 1.5, while everyday categories such as government, groceries, fuel and education all earn at the 2-mile international rate. The accelerated Emirates rate applies to emirates.com and airline spend, and miles redeem on emirates.com.
Cardholders start with complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver and can fast-track to Gold after USD 5,000 of Emirates spend plus a fee, backed by up to four Dubai airport transfers a year, a metal card, and premium concierge and travel benefits. A referenced 100,000 bonus miles offer adds further upside for high spenders.
A lower 3.25% profit rate softens the very high annual fee, making the card best suited to affluent Emirates flyers who spend heavily on the airline; occasional travellers may find the two complimentary lounge visits a year limiting.
Card details
| Bank | Emirates Islamic |
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| Card type | Premium |
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| Card network | Visa |
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| Co-brand | Emirates Skywards |
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| Minimum salary | AED 35,000 |
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| Annual fee | AED 2,100 |
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| Fee waiver | AED 2,100 standard, or an AED 5,775 option with a Gold tier fast-track. The metal supplementary card is AED 525 one-time (or AED 5,500 per year with Gold membership). |
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| Interest (monthly) | 3.25% |
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| Reward type | Skywards Miles |
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| Reward rate | Per USD 1 spent: up to 3.5 miles on Emirates Airlines; up to 2 miles on international spend; up to 1.5 miles on domestic spend. Government, automobiles, takaful, education, groceries, fuel, telecom and real estate all earn at the 2-mile (international) rate.The accelerated Emirates rate applies to emirates.com and airline spend. Redeem miles on emirates.com for flights, upgrades and partner rewards. |
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| Welcome bonus | A 100,000 bonus miles offer is referenced; conditions and deadline are not specified on the official page.New Skywards Black cardholders only; existing or cancelled-in-last-6-months excluded | 25,000 welcome miles on annual membership fee payment | 40,000 miles on USD 40,000+ retail spend within first 3 months | 35,000 miles on USD 20,000+ foreign currency spend within first 3 months | Card must be activated within 30 days of opening | Miles credited within 45 days | Application period 11 May to 31 August 2026, card issued before 10 September 2026 | Offer valid until 2026-08-31 |
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| Lounge access | Access to 1,200+ airport lounges worldwide with one guest; 2 complimentary visits annually. |
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| Quick cash | Cash advance available. |
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| Balance transfer | Balance transfer facility available. |
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| Instalment plan | 0% Easy Payment Plans. |
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Welcome bonus: A 100,000 bonus miles offer is referenced; conditions and deadline are not specified on the official page.
Terms: New Skywards Black cardholders only; existing or cancelled-in-last-6-months excluded | 25,000 welcome miles on annual membership fee payment | 40,000 miles on USD 40,000+ retail spend within first 3 months | 35,000 miles on USD 20,000+ foreign currency spend within first 3 months | Card must be activated within 30 days of opening | Miles credited within 45 days | Application period 11 May to 31 August 2026, card issued before 10 September 2026 | Offer valid until 2026-08-31
Skywards Black Credit Card benefits
✓Up to 3.5 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates spend
✓Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver with fast-track to Gold on USD 5,000 Emirates spend plus fee
✓Up to 4 airport transfers annually in Dubai
✓Premium metal card
✓Premium concierge and travel benefits
Offers and payment options
Quick cashCash advance available.
Balance transferBalance transfer facility available.
Instalment plan0% Easy Payment Plans.
Skywards Black Credit Card fees & charges
| Annual percentage rate (APR) | 39% (purchase and cash advance) |
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| Cash advance fee | 3.15% of amount or AED 103.95, whichever is higher |
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| Late payment fee | 131.25 |
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| Over-limit fee | 261.45 |
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| Foreign currency fee | 2.30% |
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| Minimum payment | 5% of closing balance or AED 100, whichever is higher |
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| Interest-free period | Up to 55 days |
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| Card replacement fee | 420 |
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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 is aimed at high-spending Emirates loyalists chasing Gold tier and maximum miles.
What works well
- ✓Highest Emirates miles earn at up to 3.5 per USD
- ✓Lower profit rate of 3.25%
- ✓Gold tier fast-track and a metal card
What to weigh up
- −Very high annual fee
- −Only 2 complimentary lounge visits per year
Skywards Black Credit Card eligibility
High-income salaried UAE residents; minimum salary not confirmed on the official page.
▤Emirates ID▤Passport/visa copy▤Salary certificate or bank statements
Skywards Black Credit Card FAQs
High-income salaried UAE residents; minimum salary not confirmed on the official page.
The listed annual fee is AED 2,100. AED 2,100 standard, or an AED 5,775 option with a Gold tier fast-track. The metal supplementary card is AED 525 one-time (or AED 5,500 per year with Gold membership).
Per USD 1 spent: up to 3.5 miles on Emirates Airlines; up to 2 miles on international spend; up to 1.5 miles on domestic spend. Government, automobiles, takaful, education, groceries, fuel, telecom and real estate all earn at the 2-mile (international) rate.
This card is aimed at high-spending Emirates loyalists chasing Gold tier and maximum miles.
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.
