For most young adults, getting your very own credit card is one of those milestones in life that makes you feel like a responsible grown-up. This newfound financial freedom comes with its own set of perks and responsibilities, and not being fully prepared for your first credit card can spell disaster for your credit score, which will take you quite some time to undo the damage caused. That said, a credit card can be a very handy financial tool, and just like any other tool, it’s the user that determines the nature of its usage.
When you’re selecting your first credit card in the UAE, the options can leave you feeling overwhelmed, which is why you must conduct thorough research on your specific requirement. There are over 400 cards to choose from, with each card offering a wide array of perks.
Here is the breakdown of various factors that you will need to consider in your pursuit of finding a card that perfectly suits your specific needs and lifestyle.
How to choose the right card?
Rewards and Benefits
Your lifestyle and its corresponding expenses are a major consideration when selecting any card. What are your unavoidable monthly expenses? What is it that you are most likely to spend on? Perhaps your job requires you to travel a lot, so your major expenses could be flight tickets and hotel stays. Maybe you use a car to commute, so one of your frequent expenses would be fuel. Maybe you love pampering yourself and one of your major monthly expenses is on spas and fashion retail. Based on your lifestyle, there is a credit card out there that will be best suited for you and enable you to extract the maximum value from it. A large part of selecting a credit card involves finding a card that rewards your spending habits via benefits such as cashback, rewards, travel benefits, exclusive discounts, golf benefits, etc. Banks often offer Credit cards based on user needs that allow them to boost their lifestyle.Joining/Annual Fees
Not all providers will charge a joining or annual fee, but if there is a fee, ensure that your rewards outweigh the cost. Banks run a lot of offers like first year free, bonus rewards against the fee payment, etc. Choose a card that charges no or low fees to avoid paying annual fees.Banking Relationship
It’s easier to get a credit card approved from your main bank where your salary is transferred and also offers an additional facility for making online payments towards your monthly card statements. This is a very important benefit as not paying on time can result in late fees and hefty interest charges.Eligibility Criteria for Credit Cards in UAE
Once you are done with your research after having rummaged through all the different card options and decided upon the one card that is perfectly suited to your needs, the application process begins with a duly filled and signed application form. But before filling the form make sure that you meet all the eligibility criteria mentioned by the provider.
Age:
In the UAE you are eligible for getting a credit card from the age of 21 and most banks offer cards to applicants between the ages of 21 and 60.Income:
An applicant’s monthly income is an important factor for determining the type of card the applicant can get. The minimum salary requirement varies from one bank to another, but generally, an applicant’s monthly income should be a steady influx, either monthly or weekly, and it should be greater than 5000 AED. The provider will also not issue a card without verifiable proof of monthly income source. Providers ensure this to safeguard themselves from defaulters, and their customers from debt traps.Credit Report:
Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) is the official body responsible for providing credit ratings for residents of the UAE. The purpose of checking an applicant’s credit score is to assess an individual’s capacity to repay the loan. A low credit score is one of the foremost reasons for banks to reject a credit card application. In UAE, a credit score ranges between 300 – 900, and a score above 700 points is considered a good score. Click here to learn more about credit reports.ID Proof:
Most banks require a copy of Emirates ID, Visa, and Passport as an ID proof requirement for issuing credit cards. Based on the submitted documents (Income proof, ID proof) and the rules laid down by the central bank of UAE, the bank shall ascertain if the customer meets the eligibility criteria and how much limit should be assigned to the customer. Once you have understood all the nuances involved in applying for a credit card and have ensured that there are no caveats that you missed, you shall be in a better position to make an informed choice regarding the credit card you want to choose to support your financial goals. However, it is important to note that the function of a credit card is to facilitate and supplement your lifestyle and not push you towards excessive spending. Happy savings!
