American Express Credit Cards

American Express is a brand that is recognized all around the globe. Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, American Express is estimated to have assets worth a staggering USD 181 billion in 2017. American Express is more commonly known as Amex. It founded international success as early as 1891. Later on, the company offered the incredibly famous line of American Express charge cards and American Express credit cards.

Besides offering global incentives through the impressive range of American Express credit cards in UAE, Amex also functions as one of the largest credit card payment networks in the world. American Express currently has the 4th highest number of credit cards in circulation all over the world. American Express credit cards are booming across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

Types of American Express Credit Cards

Presently, Amex offers 3 types of personal American Express credit cards in UAE and 2 types of corporate American Express credit cards. The Amex credit card types are as follows:

1. American Express Gold Credit Card
2. American Express Platinum Credit Card
3. American Express Dubai Duty Free Credit Card

Personal Cards

The Personal line of American Express credit cards in UAE caters to individual credit card applicants. The cards are formulated as per individual spending requirement and offer a wide variety of incentives from day to day discounts to travel benefits and more.

a. Dubai Duty Free American Express Credit Card

• Annual Membership Fee: AED 175
• Minimum Annual Income Required:
  • For Employed Applicants: AED 180,000
  • For Self-employed Applicants: AED 275,000
  • Retail Interest (Monthly): 3.25%

Benefits:

• The card member can use the American Express credit card in Dubai Duty Free stores and avail discounts of up to 10% across shopping items. The full list of applicable discounts can be found online.
• This American Express card offers the card member entry into two high-powered lotteries:
  • Upon spending AED 500 using the American Express credit card in Dubai, the cardholder can gain entry into the Finest Surprise lottery each month. The lottery prize is a brand new luxury car.
  • Upon spending AED 1,000 using the Amex credit card, the cardholder gets the chance to win a ticket for the Millennium Millionaire
• Any new purchase made with the American Express credit card in UAE is eligible for purchase protection, which offers maximum insurance coverage of AED 1,500.
• The primary card member and supplementary member(s) of the American Express credit card can avail complimentary travel insurance that includes travel assistance and emergency medical cover.
• The card offers great deals through the American Express Selects program. The cardholder can use their American Express credit card in UAE to avail a variety of offers across travel, dining, shopping, and entertainment categories. The available American Express Selects offers can be found online.
• The cardholder can avail unlimited free of charge supplementary Amex credit cards for the eligible family members above the age of 15.

b. American Express Gold Credit Card

• Annual Membership Fee: AED 395
• Minimum Annual Income Required:
  • For Employed Applicants: AED 180,000
  • For Self-employed Applicants: AED 275,000
  • Retail Interest (Monthly): 3.25%

Benefits:

• The Gold American Express credit card member can opt for the Membership Rewards loyalty program for a nominal annual fee of AED 95. The cardholder earns 1 Membership Rewards point for every USD 1 equivalent spent on the Gold Amex card. The accumulated Membership Points can be redeemed for flight tickets, ticket upgrades, hotel reservations, retail shopping vouchers, charitable donations, and more. The full range of offers applicable to the Gold Amex credit card can be found online.
• The card member can avail great deals through the American Express Selects program. They can use their American Express credit card in UAE to avail a variety of offers across travel, dining, shopping and entertainment categories. The available American Express Selects offers can be found online.
• The Gold American Express credit card primary cardholder and 1 supplementary cardholder can access to 1,200+ airport lounges across the globe. The complimentary passes can be availed 5 times a year. The full list of airport lounges may be found on the Priority Pass app.
• The cardholder can avail complimentary travel insurance that offers primary as well as supplementary member(s) of the American Express credit card in UAE a cover of up to AED 350,000 for travel accident and AED 4,000 for travel inconvenience.
• The cardholder can avail purchase protection for any new purchases made with the American Express credit card that offers a maximum insurance amount of AED 3,000.
• The cardholder can avail up to 9 free of charge supplementary American Express credit cards for their eligible family members above the age of 15.

c. American Express Platinum Credit Card

• Annual Membership Fee: AED 700*
  * The American Express Platinum credit card member is eligible for a complete waiver on their annual membership fee under the FeeBack
• Minimum Annual Income Required:
  • For Employed Applicants: AED 255,000
  • For Self-employed Applicants: AED 275,000
  • Retail Interest (Monthly): 3.25%

Benefits:

• Under the FeeBack program, the American Express Platinum credit card member can avail a full waiver of the annual membership fee, upon meeting the minimum spending requirement. The cardholder gets a waiver on the first year’s fee when they use the American Express credit card for purchases amounting to AED 10,000 within the first three months. The cardholder can avail waivers on the subsequent years by meeting the annual minimum spend requirement of AED 40,000.
• The American Platinum Express credit card member gets automatically enrolled in the Membership Rewards loyalty program. The cardholder earns 2 Membership Rewards points for every USD 1 equivalent spent on the Platinum Amex card. The accumulated Membership Points can be redeemed for flight tickets, ticket upgrades, hotel reservations, retail shopping vouchers, charitable donations, and more. The full range of offers applicable on the Platinum American Express credit card can be found online.
• The American Platinum Express credit card provides the primary cardholder with access to 700+ VIP airport lounges across the globe. The complimentary passes can be availed 12 times a year. The full list of airport lounges can be found on the Priority Pass app.
• The card member can avail a flat 10% discount on booking British Airway tickets for flights starting from the Middle East.
• The primary as well as secondary card member can avail complimentary travel insurance. This American Express credit card in UAE provides a cover of up to AED 1,800,000 for travel accident, and AED 5,400 for travel inconvenience.
• The American Express Platinum credit card member is eligible to avail purchase protection that offers a maximum insurance amount of AED 5,400.
• The card member can avail great deals through the American Express Selects program. They can use their American Express credit card in UAE to avail a variety of offers across travel, dining, shopping, and entertainment categories. The available American Express Selects offers can be found online.
• The primary card member can avail up to 2 free of charge supplementary American Express credit cards for their eligible family members above the age of 15. The primary card member can apply for a total of 9 supplementary American Express Platinum credit cards. The first 2 supplementary cards are free. After that, 7 supplementary Amex credit cards attract a fee of AED 200 each.

Corporate Cards

The Corporate American Express credit cards are offered for the employers. It enables them to effectively monitor and optimize their business expenses. The Corporate American Express credit cards offer an expedited payment process and global expense management services.

• American Express Corporate Card
• Annual Membership Fee: The annual membership fee varies from AED 170 – AED 370, depending on the number of Corporate American Express credit cards
• Retail Interest (Monthly): 2.50%

Benefits:

• The member of Corporate American Express credit card can opt for the Membership Rewards loyalty program for a nominal annual fee of AED 190. The cardholder can earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every USD 1 equivalent spent on the Platinum Amex card. The accumulated Membership Points can be redeemed for flight tickets, ticket upgrades, hotel reservations, retail shopping vouchers, charitable donations, and more. The full range of offers applicable on the Platinum American Express credit card can be found online.
• The American Express credit card provides the primary cardholder access to 1,200+ airport lounges across the globe. The complimentary passes can be availed 8 times a year. The full list of airport lounges can be found on the Priority Pass app.
• The cardholder can avail complimentary travel insurance using their American Express credit card in UAE and avail the following coverage:
  • Up to USD 100,000 for travel accidents.
  • Up to USD 750 for lost luggage.
  • Up to USD 100 for delayed and cancelled flights.
  • Up to USD 100 for missed connecting flights.
  • Up to USD 100 for delays in luggage arrival.
• The Corporate Amex credit card enables the cardholder to withdraw up to AED 3,800 every month.
• This American Express credit card offers card member access to international legal and medical assistance by connecting them to English-speaking licensed professionals.

American Express Corporate Purchasing Card

• Annual Membership Fee: No fee.
• Retail Interest (Monthly): 2.50%

Benefits:

• The Corporate Purchasing American Express credit card enables businesses to manage and monitor their indirect expenditures.
• This Amex credit card can be specifically assigned to departments with fixed spending limits as defined by the employer.
• Amex offers a fraud monitoring system of check and balance to prevent misuse of the card.
• For easier auditing processes, all the expenses made on the American Express credit card can be easily viewed through a consolidated account statement.
• By identifying patterns of spending in the Amex credit card statement, the company can identify opportunities for discounts with preferred suppliers.
• The card provides 60 days of extended credit for the company.
• The Corporate Purchasing American Express credit card enables the cardholder to spend in-person, online and even over the phone.
• The company can set up a list of permitted suppliers, to effectively control the usage of its American Express credit card.

Features & Benefits of American Express Credit Cards

The influx of American Express credit cards in UAE can be attributed to the wonderful features and benefits of the Amex card. Globally recognized as one of the largest credit card issuers in the world, American Express credit cards offer extraordinary rewards and features:

Online Banking

The American Express online banking platform has been revamped. The all-new American Express online platform includes new functionalities that let the cardholder avail access to their American Express credit card statement, check their Membership Rewards points, activate and renew their Amex credit card, transfer balance and much more. The online banking portal is loaded with added-security measures which include image recognition and secret questions based processes. The cardholder can register their American Express credit card online.

Security

American Express credit cards also take online security very seriously. In addition to the standard OTP and pin verification security measures, Amex comes with SafeKey authentication for all American Express online SafeKey is an online fraud prevention program, which requires the American Express credit card member for an additional password to complete internet transactions.

Mobile App

Amex’s mobile app is a powerhouse of features. The app is known as ‘AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C’ and is available on Android and iOS app platform. The app functions as an on-the-go Amex assistant, expertly answering any American Express credit card related queries. The cardmember can use the app to check their American Express credit card statement, stay updated on transactions via the alerts system, activate and renew Amex credit cards and much more.

Global Recognition

Very few people can claim to not have heard of American Express. Amex has been a globally recognized brand for decades. The American Express credit card offers the cardholder a reliable and internationally acclaimed option for fulfilling their spending requirements. American Express credit cards in UAE can be used seamlessly across the globe and offer both local and international benefits like none other.

SMS Alerts

Most of the American Express credit cards in UAE automatically enroll the cardholder into the SMS alerts service. Once enrolled, the cardholder gets instant SMS alerts for any transaction made with the Amex credit card. This is an excellent way to track spending and quickly identify any fraudulent charges. If the cardholder notices any suspicious charge, they are advised to report it to Amex customer care on the number mentioned at the back of their American Express credit card.

Supplementary Cards

The eligible family member(s) of the primary cardholder can enjoy the benefits of an American Express credit card with the help of supplementary Amex credit cards. Each American Express credit card in UAE comes with a set number of complimentary supplementary cards. The supplementary American Express credit cards can be applied for any eligible family member over the age of 15 through the Amex mobile app itself.

Refer & Earn

Currently, American Express is offering incentives for customer referrals. The American Express credit card member can earn thousands of Membership Rewards points for referring a customer that gets approved by Amex. For example, the American Express Platinum credit card in UAE offers the cardholder up to as many as 10,000 Membership Points for a successful referral. The accumulated Membership Points can be redeemed against amazing discounts on flight tickets, hotel reservations, retail store vouchers, and a lot more.

Benefits of American Express credit card

Every purchase made with an American Express credit card in UAE is rewarded in one way or another, through Membership Points, through offers which are unlocked upon meeting the minimum spending requirements or even as high-paying lottery tickets.

Amex Membership Rewards

A majority of the American Express credit cards in UAE offer cardholder Membership Points for every purchase made on the card, internationally or locally. The accumulated Membership Points can be redeemed for world-class benefits that include dining and entertainment discounts, flight tickets and upgrades, complimentary hotel stays, and more. The various redemption offers can be found online.

Travel Benefits

Frequent travellers can benefit greatly from the American Express credit card offers on travel services. Some of the may travel benefits that Amex credit cards offer premium airport lounge access, complimentary travel insurance and around the clock international legal, and medical aid services.

British Airways Discount

The member of American Express credit card in UAE is eligible for availing discounts on British Airway Discounts offered are up to as much as 10% and are valid for the flights originating in the Middle East to destinations in Europe, UK, Canada and North & South America.

American Express Selects

The American Express credit card member can avail access to Amex’s very own set of offers and discounts, known as American Express Selects. Available offers can be found online.

Dubai Duty Free Discounts

The American Express credit card’s Dubai Duty Free variant offers cardholder 10% savings on purchases made at Dubai Duty Free Dubai Duty Free is one of the world’s largest travel retail operators and available at Dubai International Airport and at Al Maktoum International Airport. Specifics of the American Express credit card’s Dubai Duty Free discounts can be found online.

American Express Credit Card Login

American Express Credit Card Interest Rates & Annual Fees

Given below is a table of the various American Express credit cards in UAE, its associated annual membership fee and interest rate.

Card Type	Name of the Card	Annual Membership Fee (in AED)	Monthly Retail Interest Rate (in %)
Personal	Dubai Duty Free American Express Credit Card	175.00	3.25
	American Express Gold Credit Card	395.00	3.25
	American Express Platinum Credit Card	700 (This fee can be waived via the FeeBack program)	3.25
Corporate	American Express Corporate Card	170 - 370 (Depending on number of corporate cards issued)	2.50 (charged on overdue balance)
	American Express Corporate Purchasing Card	No Fee	2.50 (charged on overdue balance)

(Updated as of December 2023)

American Express Credit Card Eligibility

Here are the eligibility criteria for applicants who want to opt for American Express credit card in UAE:

• Age - The American Express credit card applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
• Address Proof - The American Express credit card applicant must have a valid UAE address. They will also be asked to submit appropriate address proof documents.
• Credit History - The Amex credit card applicant’s basic personal information shall be collected and shared with relevant credit bureaus. This is done to analyze the applicant’s credit history and to ensure there is no past record of defaults and missed payments.
• Employer Details - Issuance of the American Express credit card is also dependent on valid UAE employer details. Self-employed customers will be asked to present two years’ account statements and may be asked to submit a trade license as well.
• Minimum Income - Regardless of which American Express credit card the applicant is applying for, their financial stability will also be considered.

American Express Credit Cards Based on Salary

As stated above, the applicant’s yearly income is a factor for eligibility for any American Express credit card in UAE. The salary requirements for Amex credit card are as follows:

Card Type	Name of the Card	Required Annual Income (for employed applicants)	Required Annual Income (for self-employed applicants)
Personal	Dubai Duty Free American Express Credit Card	AED 180,000	AED 275,000
	American Express Gold Credit Card	AED 180,000	AED 275,000
	American Express Platinum Credit Card	AED 255,000	AED 275,000
Corporate	American Express Corporate Card	Income restrictions not applicable on individual cards
	American Express Corporate Purchasing Card	Income restrictions not applicable to individual cards

(Updated as of Feb 2019)

How to Apply for an American Express Credit Card in UAE?

The American Express credit card application process can be completed online as well as offline at Amex branches.

Online

To initiate the application process for a credit card from American Express, apply online.

Offline

The applicant can also complete their American Express credit card application at any of the Amex branches in the UAE. Branch addresses can be found online.

The applicant who wants to apply for a credit card for American Express online or the offline will need to submit required personal and financial documents for verification. The list of documents is as follows:

• A copy of the applicant’s Emirates ID.
• A copy of the applicant’s passport.
• A copy of the applicant’s UAE visa.
• A copy of the applicant’s address proof, which can be any of the following:
  • Emirates ID
  • Contract of Tenancy
  • Utility Bill
  • Bank Statement (with the primary Amex credit card applicant’s address clearly shown)
• A copy of the applicant’s bank statement. The applicant will need to show the latest 3 months of the bank statement for the account where the salary is credited.
• A copy of the applicant’s appointment letter, showing their annual income and designation in the company. This can be substituted for the latest 3 months of salary slips, attested by the company of employ.
• A signed copy of the credit bureau consent form. This form signifies that the American Express credit card applicant allows Amex to share basic personal information to conduct a credit history check. The form can be found online.

Note:

1. The applicant wishing to complete the credit card application for American Express online will have to attach digital copies of all the required documents.
2. The applicant opting for American Express credit card application offline at an Amex branch should carry copies and original documents both, for verification purposes.

American Express Credit Card Interest Rates

Detailed below are the monthly and annual retail interests on all American Express credit cards in UAE.

Card Type	Name of the Card	Monthly Retail Interest Rate (in %)	Annual Retail Interest Rate (in %)
Personal	Dubai Duty Free American Express Credit Card	3.25	39.00
	American Express Gold Credit Card	3.25	39.00
	American Express Platinum Credit Card	3.25	39.00
Corporate	American Express Corporate Card	2.5 (charged on overdue balance)
	American Express Corporate Purchasing Card	2.5 (charged on overdue balance)

(Updated as of December 2023)

American Express Credit Card Charges

American Express credit card applicant ought to go through the policy documents for a detailed breakdown of charges. Some of the levied charges are as follows:

• Late Payment Charge: AED 230
• Over-Limit Fee: AED 190
• Minimum Payment Amount: 5% of the outstanding balance or AED 35 (whichever is greater)

How to Cancel an American Express Credit Card?

The primary American Express credit card member may opt to cancel their card at any time by submitting a written request for ending the membership of Amex credit cards.

The cancellation request will only be entertained once all outstanding dues and charges of the Amex credit card have been cleared. Upon clearing all due amount, the cardholder needs to cut all primary and supplementary American Express credit cards in two and return them to American Express.

Note- The cardholder is also advised to ask for a No Liability Certificate as proof of account closure.

Why Choose American Express Credit Cards?

As an internationally celebrated giant in the banking and finance industry, American Express has plenty of funding and experience. As a result, American Express credit cards offer incredible global discounts and lucrative offers to its cardholder:

Customer Experience

American Express understands the value of positive user experience. From the American Express online portal to the Membership Rewards program offered to Amex credit card members, every process has been carefully designed to make the banking process with Amex a cakewalk. The American Express mobile app is a prime example of Amex’s commitment to providing a convenient method of consumer banking.

Diversity

After conducting a careful assessment of the UAE market, Amex launched an incredibly diverse line of American Express credit cards in UAE. These cards are designed to address daily spending, travel, entertainment and luxury shopping, and more. The Corporate line of Amex credit cards further extends the benefits to working professionals.

Industry Leader

Though it’s difficult for financial institutions to maintain international industry standards, American Express is one step ahead of its competitors. In fact, Amex has been instrumental in setting some of the financial industry standards itself. The line of American Express credit cards in UAE follows the best standards in the industry as every banking process under Amex is handled with the utmost professionalism.

Transparent & Reliable

Honesty and reliability are integral to American Express values. The financial institution has built its reputation as one of the largest providers of credit cards in the world by providing reliable services time and again. The American Express credit cards follow the philosophy of transparency, and meticulously detailing every little fee and charge in the Amex credit card policy documents.

Community Commitment

Amex also displays a strong sense of community, offering amazing benefits to help attract visitors to the UAE’s local retail stores and attractions. The American Express credit card’s Dubai Duty Free product is a good example of how Amex helps promote the local economy by offering incentives for the cardholder to help spread affluence in the community.