ADCB 365 vs Dubai First Cashback
Our Pick
Dubai First Cashback
Best Online + Travel Combo — You shop online frequently (Amazon, Noon, etc.)
ADCB
ADCB 365
Free for life + category cashback
Dubai First
Dubai First Cashback
5% online + unlimited lounge access
Two cashback philosophies clash: ADCB 365 offers the UAE's best grocery cashback (5%) with zero fees, while Dubai First Cashback matches the 5% on supermarkets AND adds 5% on all online purchases plus unlimited airport lounge access. One is free but limited; the other costs AED 300 but packs premium perks. Which cashback strategy works better for your wallet?
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ADCB 365 | Dubai First Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | AED 0 (Free for Life) | AED 300 |
| Min. Salary | AED 10,000 | AED 5,000 |
| Rewards Rate | 5% groceries, 3% utilities, 1% everything | 5% online + supermarket, 1% everything |
Detailed Breakdown
Grocery/Supermarket Cashback
ADCB 365
5% (capped at AED 200/month)
Dubai First Cashback
5% on supermarkets (unlimited)
Same 5% rate but Dubai First has no monthly cap on supermarket cashback
Online Shopping Cashback
ADCB 365
1% (base rate)
Dubai First Cashback
5% on all online purchases
Dubai First earns 5x more on Amazon, Noon, and all e-commerce
Utility Bill Cashback
ADCB 365
3% (DEWA, Etisalat, du, etc.)
Dubai First Cashback
5% (online utility payments)
Dubai First earns more if you pay utilities online
School Fee Cashback
ADCB 365
1% (base rate)
Dubai First Cashback
5% (if paid online)
Dubai First earns 5x more on online school fee payments
In-Store Retail Cashback
ADCB 365
1% on everything else
Dubai First Cashback
1% on everything else
Identical 1% base rate on physical store purchases
Annual Fee
ADCB 365
AED 0 (Free for Life)
Dubai First Cashback
AED 300
ADCB is free; Dubai First's fee is offset by lounge access alone
Minimum Salary
ADCB 365
AED 10,000
Dubai First Cashback
AED 5,000
Dubai First more accessible at half the salary requirement
Airport Lounge Access
ADCB 365
No lounge access
Dubai First Cashback
Unlimited worldwide lounge access
Unlimited lounges on a cashback card is exceptional value
Salary Transfer Required
ADCB 365
No
Dubai First Cashback
Yes
Dubai First requires salary transfer; ADCB does not
Additional E-Commerce Perks
ADCB 365
None
Dubai First Cashback
Up to 10% via ShopSmart on 1,500+ sites
Stack ShopSmart cashback on top of the base 5%
Careem/Transport Perks
ADCB 365
None
Dubai First Cashback
20% off all Careem rides
Dubai First includes ride-hailing discounts
The Verdict
Dubai First Cashback wins for online shoppers and travelers with 5% on both online and supermarket purchases plus unlimited airport lounge access—a rare combo at this price. ADCB 365 wins for pure grocery + utility maximizers who want zero annual fees. If you shop online heavily or travel frequently, Dubai First delivers more total value despite the AED 300 fee.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose ADCB 365 if:
- You want zero annual fees with no conditions
- Groceries are your top spending category (in-store)
- You value 3% on utility bills without online-only restrictions
- You don't want salary transfer requirement
- You already have a separate travel/lounge card
- You have an Abu Dhabi visa (ADCB requirement)
Choose Dubai First Cashback if:
- You shop online frequently (Amazon, Noon, etc.)
- You travel and want unlimited airport lounge access
- You pay school fees and utilities online (5% on each)
- You can salary transfer to Dubai First
- Your salary is AED 5,000-10,000 (below ADCB threshold)
- You want Careem discounts and ShopSmart e-commerce bonuses
Eligibility Note
ADCB 365 requires Abu Dhabi visa and AED 10,000 salary with no salary transfer needed. Dubai First Cashback requires salary transfer but accepts AED 5,000 minimum. Dubai residents cannot apply for ADCB 365 but can apply for Dubai First.
Frequently Asked Questions
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