Travel money
Best credit card for spending in the United Arab Emirates
No foreign transaction fee, ranked for the United Arab Emirates with card-network acceptance in mind. Updated 2026-06-20.
The best credit card to use in the United Arab Emirates is one with no foreign transaction fee, so you skip the 2.5% surcharge most Canadian cards add to every UAE dirham purchase. On about $2,800 of spending that fee alone is roughly $70. By our value ranking the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card leads for the United Arab Emirates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are highly card-friendly and Amex is widely accepted at malls and hotels. Any no-FX card works; decline dirham-to-dollar conversion at the terminal.
Skip the 2.5% FX fee
~$70 saved
on about $2,800 of UAE dirham spending, versus a typical card's 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
- 1
ScotiabankPlatinum
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
Great for travel abroad
Welcome value
~$800
Earn up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points ($800 in travel rewards)
- Annual fee
- $399
- Purchase APR
- 9.99%
8.4Cited · verified 2026-06-13View → - 2
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Great for travel abroad
Welcome value
~$450
Earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points ($450 in travel rewards)
- Annual fee
- $120
- Purchase APR
- 21.99%
8.3Cited · verified 2026-06-13View → - 3
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Great for travel abroad
Welcome value
~$500
Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points + 10,000 in first 6 months
- Annual fee
- $150
- Purchase APR
- 20.99%
8.1Cited · verified 2026-06-13View → - 4
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Great for travel abroad
Welcome value
~$300
Earn 30,000 bonus Scene+ points
- Annual fee
- $599
- Purchase APR
- 20.99%
7.6Cited · verified 2026-06-13View → - 5
WealthsimpleInfinite Privilege
Wealthsimple Credit Card
Great for travel abroad
Welcome value
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $240
- Purchase APR
- 20.99%
7.1Cited · verified 2026-06-13View → - 6
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card
For business spending
Welcome value
40k pts
Earn up to $2,600 in first year savings and reward value, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points
- Annual fee
- $199
- Purchase APR
- 20.99%
6.7Cited · verified 2026-06-13View → - 7
TD Canada TrustClassic
TD® U.S. Dollar Visa* Card
Great for travel abroad
Welcome value
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $39
- Purchase APR
- 21.99%
6.1Cited · verified 2026-06-13View →
Frequently asked
- What is the best credit card to use in the United Arab Emirates?
- A no-foreign-transaction-fee card is the right choice, and by our value ranking the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card from Scotiabank currently leads for the United Arab Emirates ($399 annual fee). Dubai and Abu Dhabi are highly card-friendly and Amex is widely accepted at malls and hotels. Any no-FX card works; decline dirham-to-dollar conversion at the terminal.
- How much does the foreign transaction fee cost in the United Arab Emirates?
- Most Canadian cards add about 2.5% to every foreign-currency purchase. On roughly $2,800 of UAE dirham spending that is about $70 in pure fees, which a no-FX card avoids entirely. You still pay the card network's exchange rate.
- Should I let the terminal charge me in Canadian dollars in the United Arab Emirates?
- No. That is dynamic currency conversion, and the merchant's rate is almost always worse than your card network's. Always choose to be charged in the local currency and let your card convert it.
- How current is this list?
- Card fees and offers are checked against official issuer pages and were last refreshed 2026-06-20. Always confirm details on the issuer's site before applying. Nothing here is financial advice.
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