Loyalty cards and discount programs are embedded in everyday spending across the UAE. From shopping and groceries to commuting, travel, and fuel, rewards are increasingly built into how residents pay rather than added as an extra step.
This guide focuses on the most widely used loyalty programs in the UAE, explaining where they apply, who they suit best, and how residents typically combine them.
- Overview of loyalty and discount cards in the UAE
- Mall, retail, and lifestyle loyalty programs
- Grocery and supermarket loyalty programs
- Travel and airline loyalty programs in the UAE
- Hotel loyalty programs in the UAE
- Fuel and transport loyalty programs
- Utility and public services loyalty programs
- Subscription-based and app-driven loyalty programs
- Bank-linked loyalty and rewards ecosystems
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
Overview of loyalty and discount cards in the UAE
Large retail groups, airline programs, mall ecosystems, and bank-linked rewards dominate the UAE loyalty landscape. Physical cards have largely disappeared, replaced by apps, card-linking, and automatic earning tied to payment methods.
Most residents rely on a small number of core programs rather than dozens of niche schemes, often stacking loyalty points with bank card rewards on the same transaction.
Mall, retail, and lifestyle loyalty programs
Mall and lifestyle loyalty programs are among the most heavily used in the UAE due to the country’s strong shopping, dining, and entertainment culture.
Tickit by Dubai Holding
Tickit is one of Dubai’s most recognisable lifestyle loyalty programs. It operates across destinations such as City Walk, Bluewaters, and La Mer, rewarding dining, leisure, and retail spend through a fully card-linked, receipt-free model.
Shukran Rewards (Landmark Group)
Shukran remains one of the most widely used retail loyalty programs in the UAE. It covers high-frequency brands such as Centrepoint, Max, and Home Centre, making it especially popular with families and value-focused shoppers.
Amber Rewards (Al Tayer Group)
Amber Rewards caters to shoppers moving between mid-market and premium retail. Its three-tier structure and coverage of brands like GAP, Bloomingdale’s, Harvey Nichols, and luxury automotive showrooms position it firmly at the higher end of retail loyalty.
SHARE Rewards (Majid Al Futtaim)
SHARE Rewards is Majid Al Futtaim’s unified loyalty program, spanning Mall of the Emirates, City Centre malls, Carrefour, VOX Cinemas, Ski Dubai, and Magic Planet. Grocery spend at Carrefour makes SHARE one of the fastest-earning programs for everyday use.
Privileges Club (Alshaya Group)
Privileges Club covers a wide range of international fashion and dining brands operated by Alshaya, making it one of the most commonly encountered loyalty programs in UAE malls.
Grocery and supermarket loyalty programs
Grocery loyalty programs generate consistent value because of their high spending frequency.
SHARE Rewards via Carrefour
Carrefour spending earns SHARE points, making it one of the most effective grocery-linked loyalty options for households.
Tamayaz (Union Coop)
Tamayaz is Union Coop’s loyalty program and is popular with families shopping at cooperative supermarkets.
Lulu Rewards
Lulu’s loyalty ecosystem rewards grocery and hypermarket spend and is widely used by large households and bulk shoppers.
Travel and airline loyalty programs in the UAE
Air travel loyalty programs offer some of the highest long-term value for UAE residents, particularly frequent flyers and business travellers.
Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards is the most widely recognised airline loyalty program in the UAE. In addition to flights and upgrades, Skywards miles can be earned through co-branded credit cards, hotel partners, retail partners, and selected lifestyle services. Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, partner rewards, and exclusive experiences.
Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest is especially popular among Abu Dhabi–based residents and frequent Etihad flyers. Members earn miles through flights, co-branded cards, hotels, and retail partners, with redemptions including flights, upgrades, and flexible “Pay with Miles” options.
Airline co-branded credit cards
Co-branded cards linked to Emirates Skywards or Etihad Guest allow users to earn airline miles on everyday spending such as groceries, fuel, dining, and utilities, effectively turning daily expenses into future travel.
Hotel loyalty programs in the UAE
Hotel loyalty programs remain relevant due to the UAE’s role as a global tourism and business hub.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy covers a large portfolio of UAE hotels, including St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, and W Hotels, with points redeemable for stays, upgrades, and experiences.
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors operates extensively across Dubai and Abu Dhabi and is known for flexible redemptions and frequent bonus promotions.
Rotana Rewards
Rotana Rewards focuses on the Middle East market and is popular with regional travellers and frequent Rotana guests.
Fuel and transport loyalty programs
Fuel and mobility loyalty schemes target predictable, recurring expenses.
ENOC Yes Rewards
ENOC’s Yes Rewards program offers points on fuel, car washes, and convenience store purchases and is widely used in Dubai.
ADNOC Rewards
ADNOC’s loyalty program operates across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, rewarding fuel and retail purchases at service stations.
Utility and public services loyalty programs
Utility and public service loyalty programs are less common, but they play an important role in rewarding daily commuting and essential spending.
Nol Plus (RTA – Dubai)
Nol Plus is the Roads and Transport Authority’s loyalty program that rewards commuters for spending on public transport and parking in Dubai. Members earn points on metro, tram, bus, and parking usage, which can be redeemed with participating partners for discounts and lifestyle offers.
Subscription-based and app-driven loyalty programs
Subscription models have become a parallel form of loyalty in the UAE.
Careem Plus
Careem Plus offers free delivery, discounted rides, and partner benefits through a monthly or annual subscription.
Talabat Pro
Talabat Pro focuses on food and grocery delivery, offering free delivery and exclusive discounts for frequent users.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime combines free delivery, streaming, and exclusive deals, functioning as a value-driven loyalty ecosystem rather than a traditional points program.
Bank-linked loyalty and rewards ecosystems
For many UAE residents, bank-issued credit cards form the backbone of their loyalty strategy. These cards turn everyday spending into cashback, points, or miles, and often stack seamlessly with retail, airline, and mall loyalty programs.
Emirates NBD Noon One / Noon Cashback Card
Emirates NBD’s Noon-linked cards are among the most popular everyday rewards cards in the UAE. They focus on high-frequency categories such as online shopping, food delivery, groceries, and dining, making them particularly attractive to families and frequent app users.
Rewards are typically earned as cashback or Noon credits, which are easy to redeem without complex conversion rules.
Emirates NBD Skywards Credit Cards
Emirates NBD Skywards credit cards remain a top choice for frequent travellers. These cards earn Skywards Miles on everyday spending such as groceries, fuel, dining, and utilities, in addition to flights with Emirates.
They are commonly used alongside the Emirates Skywards program to accelerate mileage earning and unlock upgrades, reward flights, and travel benefits.
FAB Cashback and FAB Travel Cards
First Abu Dhabi Bank’s cashback and travel cards are widely used due to their broad acceptance and straightforward rewards structure. FAB cashback cards return value across groceries, fuel, education, and utilities, while FAB travel cards focus on flight bookings, hotel spend, and foreign currency transactions.
These cards are often chosen for their predictability and their ability to act as a universal rewards layer across all spending categories.
Key takeaways
The UAE loyalty landscape is built around a limited number of reliable programs and cards rather than dozens of niche schemes. Mall and retail programs such as Tickit, Shukran, Amber, and SHARE cover most shopping and dining spend, while Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest remain the most valuable options for frequent travellers. Grocery, fuel, and utility programs deliver steady everyday value, and bank-linked credit cards act as a universal rewards layer across all categories.
The most effective approach is to choose a few core programs that match your lifestyle and stack them sensibly.
FAQs
Tickit, Shukran Rewards, Amber Rewards, and SHARE Rewards are the most widely used for shopping and lifestyle spend, alongside Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest for travel.
SHARE Rewards (via Carrefour), Shukran Rewards, and Union Coop’s Tamayaz are the most practical options for frequent grocery and household spending.
Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest are the leading airline loyalty programs. Skywards is more popular in Dubai, while Etihad Guest is widely used in Abu Dhabi.
Yes, you can. Store or mall loyalty points can often be earned alongside cashback or miles from a bank credit card.
Yes. Most programs apply expiry rules, usually between one and two years.
They serve different purposes. Store loyalty programs offer higher category-specific value, while credit cards provide consistent rewards across all spending.
Emirates NBD Noon cashback cards, Emirates NBD Skywards cards, and FAB cashback or travel cards are among the most commonly used.
Yes. Nol Plus rewards spending on public transport and parking across Dubai
