We often focus our content on benefits you can gain from credit cards - whether great travel perks, cashback, near-zero FX on foreign spend, or 0% balance transfers. But if you don’t pay attention, they can quickly cost you more than what you squeeze out of them.
With that in mind, today we turn to smart card usage tips - what to do, and what to avoid. Read on to find out:
- How to maximise value & keep cost-benefit ratio favourable
- Golden rules of credit card usage
- Our top card safety tips
- In the news - Abu Dhabi property deals jump 42% in first half of 2025
Getting the most of your card(s) is a balance game. You need to use it in a way that maximises the benefits and ensure annual fees deliver value for money. But there are also rules you can’t break or it can get rather costly very quickly. As with any payment method - keeping your money safe should always be a priority. Below, we dive into each of those areas to make sure your card works for you!
Maximising benefits
- The right setup - Having 1-3 cards maximum should be enough to reap the benefits without spreading yourself too thin. Be clear what each card is best for in your wallet and use it consistently.
- Remember your benefits - Some cards come with long lists of potential benefits that we sometimes forget about. Refresh yourself periodically on the secondary benefits. Going to the cinema? Check if you can utilise 2for1 deals. Airport transfers? Yes, some cards give you a limited number of free ones per year. Travel insurance, airport lounge access, restaurant deals, extended warranty on purchases are some of the other examples.
- Make it your primary spend method - You should pay by credit card anywhere you can. It’s safer than debit cards, often offers additional purchase protection (meaning you can get your money back if things go wrong) and comes with benefits such as cashback or points.
- Review your annual fees - Set yourself a calendar reminder a month before your card anniversary date. Consider if your card is giving you enough benefit to justify the fee for the following year. Ask the bank if they would waive the fee for you. If not, just go ahead and cancel.
Credit card golden rules
- Keep it affordable - Your credit card limit is not a permission to max it! Your monthly budget should tell you how much you can spend, your card is only a means by which to do it. Definitely do not spend more than you can afford just to chase benefits.
- Pay it off in full, every month - UAE credit card interest is 40%+. That’s really not worth it so make sure it’s paid off every month - that way it costs you 0% interest.
- Avoid cash advances - That’s when you take money out on your credit card (also applies to online money services, such as brokerages, exchanges, crypto, etc.). These have high fees and accumulate interest from day 1. Use your card for every day spending instead.
- Foreign spending - Most UAE cards add a 3-4% fee on every overseas transaction, so that holiday dinner bill is instantly more expensive. A specialist 0% FX card (or even a fintech like Revolut) can save you hundreds.
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Safety & control
- Keep them private! - Your card is yours and yours only. So are the PINs, OTPs, and in-app authorisations that come with it. No bank, police or UAE authority will ever ask for these. If they do, it’s a scam - hang up.
- Set up spend limits or blocks - Many banks provide you with additional security settings for your card. You can set up daily spend limits or block certain transaction types (e.g., online, foreign) that will reduce your exposure should someone try to use it without your permission.
- Be mindful with supplementary cards - Having additional cards for family members can be great for the extra points or cashback. As the account holder, you are the only one responsible for all their spend so make sure you only do this with people whose financial habits you fully trust. Setting up limits on individual cards is also possible so you can stay in control.
- Utilise the purchase protection - Most cards come with a level of protection for when things go wrong. If you’ve had an unauthorised transaction, or a merchant that did not deliver, raise it with your bank. They will investigate and refund your money (though it may take some time and chasing up!)
Handled smartly, your credit card should give you perks, protection, and flexibility - not stress. Stick to the rules above and you’ll keep the balance firmly in your favour.
IN THE NEWS - Abu Dhabi property deals jump 42% in first half of 2025
If you’re considering a property purchase (either for yourself or as an investment), the Abu Dhabi property market is heating up!
With its population having passed 4 million residents in 2024, the jump in property transactions is driven mainly by residential unit sales. As you would expect, this has had an effect on prices with apartments going up by 14% year on year, and villas 11%.
You can read the full update on the Abu Dhabi property market in this article from The National.
