Barclays
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $499.00 |
| Intro APR | 0% introductory APR for the first twelve billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. |
| Regular APR | 19.49% to 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. After that, (and for balance transfers that do not post to your account within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 19.49% to 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. 29.74%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. |
| Other Fees | Balance transfer fee Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. Cash advance fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: 0%. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $0.50. |
| Network | Mastercard |
About this card
The Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard is a niche card best suited for frequent Emirates travelers who can maximize its airline-specific benefits. While the sign-up bonus and Emirates Skywards Gold status offer substantial value, the high $499 annual fee, high APR, and relatively limited value of Skywards miles (compared to other travel rewards programs) significantly detract from its overall appeal. The card's value hinges on the cardholder's ability to fully utilize the elite status benefits and effectively redeem Skywards miles, making it a less compelling option for general travel rewards or infrequent Emirates flyers. The rewards structure is decent for Emirates purchases, but the spending requirement to earn the anniversary bonus is high. Therefore, the card gets a 2.6, which reflects its mixed strengths and significant drawbacks, with its value heavily dependent on individual travel patterns and loyalty to the Emirates program. **Strengths:** * Generous sign-up bonus and Emirates Skywards Gold status * Lounge access and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit * No foreign transaction fees **Weaknesses:** * High annual fee * High regular APR * Potentially limited value of Skywards miles
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- Intro APR period
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lounge membership
- Automatic elite status
Things to consider
- High annual fee
- High regular APR
- High balance transfer fee
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Enjoy Emirates Skywards Gold tier membership during your first year, and retain your tier status by spending $40,000 each cardmembership year.
- Earn 70,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Rewards
- Earn 3 Skywards Miles on eligible Emirates purchases.
- Earn 2 Skywards Miles on eligible travel purchases and earn 1 Skywards Mile on all other purchases.
- Earn 10,000 anniversary bonus Skywards Miles after spending $30,000 on purchases each cardmembership year.
Other features
- Introductory APR on balance transfers 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, 19.49% to 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. There is a fee for balance transfers.
- The Skywards Miles you earn will not expire as long as your account remains open.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit Receive an automatic statement credit for the cost of one Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every five years – up to $120.
- There is no limit to the number of Skywards Miles you can earn as long as your account remains open, active and in good standing.
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
- Receive 25% savings when you Buy or Gift Miles Receive a 25% savings when you Buy Skywards Miles for yourself or Gift Miles.
- Complimentary online access to your FICO Credit Score lets you keep an eye on your credit score and get alerts when we learn that your score has changed.
- Priority Pass Select lounge access provides unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide for the primary cardmember and their guest(s).
- $0 Fraud Liability protection means you're not responsible for charges you did not authorize.
Additional Notes
The Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.