Credit cards in the UAE are generally used only for payments. If we use them smartly, these cards can give us great savings on shopping, travel, and bills. In particular, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Rewards Points Program is one of the largest loyalty programs in the UAE. In this post, we’ll look at how to earn FAB Rewards Points, where to redeem them for more benefits, and what special features the new FAB cards have.
1. How are FAB Rewards Points earned?
| Card Type | Category | Earning Rate |
|---|---|---|
| All FAB Cards (general) | Online Spending | AED 1 = 5 points |
| Other Purchases | AED 1 = 1 point | |
| Special Categories | AED 1 = 0.5 points | |
| FAB Travel Card | Flights & Hotels | AED 1 = 41 points |
| Online Shopping | AED 1 = 8 points | |
| Other Retail Spends | AED 1 = 2 points | |
| FAB Rewards Elite Card | Dining, Retail, Luxury Spending | Higher multipliers (varies by category) |
| Extra Perks | Gym & Beach Club Access, Concierge Services, Gold Gifts |
2. How do you get Bonus Points?
FAB doesn’t just give points on basic spending, but also:
Look out for double or triple points on spend at UAE supermarkets, or special offers on international transactions to boost your points collection.
Having other FAB products like personal loans, insurance, or savings plans can sometimes earn you extra points each month. So, try to make sure you use these types of services.
New cardholders often get a big points bonus after meeting a minimum spend in the first few months. That’s why it’s essential to get the welcome bonus. If you don’t know about the welcome bonus, you can check it out on the official website or app.
3. How to use FAB points? Your options explained
This is the most important part. Earning points is useless unless you can redeem them for good value. Fortunately, FAB offers several choices. Here is the FAB rewards redemption list:
| Redemption Type | Details / Conversion Rate |
|---|---|
| Shopping (In-store) | Pay with Rewards at 4,500+ stores (Lulu, Al Shaya, Americana, Cine Royal etc.) |
| Gift Cards & Vouchers | Digital gift cards via FAB Mobile |
| Pay with Rewards | Reimburse recent transactions & bank charges |
| Cashback | AED 50 multiples, instant to statement |
| Emirates Skywards Miles | 16 FAB Rewards = 1 Mile (temporarily suspended as of May 2025) |
| Etihad Guest Miles | 12 FAB Rewards = 1 Mile |
| Utility Bill Payments | Etisalat, DU, DEWA, ADWEA, SALIK, etc. |
| Travel Bookings | Flights, hotels, tours via Musafir / ClearTrip |
| Shop Online | 1,300+ products, 110+ brands, 14-day delivery |
| Convert to Shukrans | 14 FAB Rewards = 1 Shukran |
| Games | Pay with Rewards at 4,500+ stores (Lulu, Al Shaya, Americana, Cine Royal, etc.) |
Redemption Categories
There are several ways to redeem FAB points, such as:
- Travel → This is a great value category. Try converting points into Etihad Guest Miles or booking hotels directly.
- Shopping → Get vouchers from major retailers like Amazon, Noon, Lulu, or even use them for electronics and jewelry. You can find these vouchers online from promo codes or voucher codes websites. Remember that these are for a limited time, so always prioritize new codes.
- Transport → Get Careem rides, top up your Salik tag, or recharge your mobile. Doing so can also earn you points.
- Cashback → Directly reduce your credit card bill with cashback.
- Utility Bills → If the provider is on the FAB rewards list, you can also earn points by paying utility bills.
Redemption Process
It’s pretty straightforward.
- Visit the FAB Rewards portal or official website to view options
- Browse the catalog and choose your reward.
- Call Customer Care (600 52 5500) to request a voucher
- Most vouchers are delivered via courier within 8 days
Monthly Limit
- A maximum of AED 500 points can be redeemed in a calendar month.
4. Best Redemption Hacks (Maximum Value)
Earning points on spending is just the beginning. FAB regularly offers ways to quickly increase your points balance. Some options offer more benefits than others.
Airline vouchers and miles give you the most value (about 2x the value) over credit card usage. Converting points into airline miles (such as Etihad Guest) provides the best return per point, especially for business or first class tickets.
- Gold Bars → About 1.5x more value than Cash
- Cashback → Easiest but lowest value return
Source: Reddit – UAE Credit Cards Discussion
💡 Pro Tip: If you are a frequent traveler, choose airline vouchers. If you like investment, gold bars will give you more benefits.
5. New Fab Credit Cards (2025 Updates)
In 2025, FAB launched 5 new credit cards in collaboration with Mastercard, the details of which are given below:
- FAB Travel Card → Complimentary flight, 12% cashback, No forex fee
- FAB Rewards Elite Card → Concierge, luxury access, Gold gifts
- FAB Z Card (for Gen-Z) → It’s designed for Gen-Z and young people. With Noon One and Careem Plus membership, you also get discounts on streaming and gaming.
- FAB Rewards Indulge Card → High online spend rewards
- FAB Platinum Cards (co-branded) → This is offering special editions, exclusive discounts, and points with partners like du, Joyalukkas, and H&M.
6. Customer Experiences – Worth Knowing
When we asked people about this and did some research, we found several new things. Some users have complained that welcome bonuses or promotional offers are not always clear.
For example, a Reddit user said that they did not receive the promised bonus points and were faced with hidden membership fees. Others have mentioned annual fees that they feel are unfair when they don’t use the card much.
Therefore, always read the terms & conditions and get confirmation at the time of application.
Check your monthly credit card statement, log in to your online banking portal, or simply call Customer Care at 600 52 5500.
Most points are valid for 2 years. However, some points have an expiration date that may be visible on your dashboard.
Airline vouchers and gold offer the most value.
No, they are all added to the primary account.
Yes, you can visit planuae to see the list and download it.
10,000 FAB Rewards are equivalent to AED 100.
The FAB Rewards Program is not just a loyalty scheme, but a smart financial tool that most people don’t know about. If you spend in the right categories and redeem wisely, you can turn your everyday spending into double value.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an online shopper, or just paying bills, FAB Rewards Points give you savings and extra benefits in every category.
Stop just spending. Start earning smart.
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