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The best credit card for hotels in Dubai.

Updated

Why this card

Hilton Honors Aspire for hotels in Dubai.

Hilton has the strongest Dubai luxury footprint with the Waldorf Astoria Palm, Conrad on Sheikh Zayed Road, and the Habtoor Grand under the LXR collection.

Annual fee

$550

Best earn rate

14 points per dollar at Hiltons, automatic Diamond, $400 in annual credits

Signup bonus

175,000 points after $6,000 spend in 6 months

Diamond at the Waldorf Palm gets you breakfast for two daily, which is about $120 per day in saved cost, plus free lounge access at the Conrad. The $400 in annual Hilton resort credit alone covers the upcharge on a Premier Sea View room at the Waldorf for two nights. Standard award rates at Dubai Hiltons run 70,000 to 95,000 a night, against $500 to $900 cash, so the math works on points too.

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If the top pick is not right

Alternative: American Express Platinum.

Bulgari Resort Dubai, Atlantis The Royal, and Burj Al Arab are all on Fine Hotels and Resorts. Upgrade plus breakfast plus $100 property credit on a $1,200 cash room is a meaningful trip-saver if you are paying cash for a non-Hilton.

American ExpressAnnual fee $695

At a glance

Side by side.

SpecHilton Honors AspireAmerican Express Platinum
Annual fee$550$695
Best earn rate14 points per dollar at Hiltons, automatic Diamond, $400 in annual creditsSee alternative section above
Signup bonus175,000 points after $6,000 spend in 6 monthsVaries by month

Local tip

What to know before you book.

Dubai hotel rates collapse from June through August because of the heat. Award rates do not always drop in lockstep, so cash often wins during summer. Use points November through March, pay cash June through August.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is the best credit card for hotels in Dubai?

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Hilton Honors Aspire from American Express. Diamond at the Waldorf Palm gets you breakfast for two daily, which is about $120 per day in saved cost, plus free lounge access at the Conrad. Annual fee is $550.

How many points do you need for a free night in Dubai?

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Roughly 80,000 points per night at the recommended chain for Dubai. Cash rate is around $550 per night, so the points stay is a meaningful discount versus paying cash.

Is the American Express Platinum a better choice for hotels in Dubai?

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Bulgari Resort Dubai, Atlantis The Royal, and Burj Al Arab are all on Fine Hotels and Resorts. Upgrade plus breakfast plus $100 property credit on a $1,200 cash room is a meaningful trip-saver if you are paying cash for a non-Hilton. Annual fee is $695.