Jaywan Royal Card and Etihad Guest Credit Cards
Every UAE Travel Benefit Explained (2026)
Last updated: August 2026
UAE residents now have two very different ways to turn everyday card spending into Etihad Airways perks. The first is Jaywan Royal, the premium tier of the UAE's national card scheme, which struck a fresh partnership with Etihad Airways in October 2025. The second is the long-running family of Etihad Guest co-branded credit cards issued by UAE banks such as Emirates NBD, ADIB, Al Hilal Bank, ADCB, Emirates Islamic and FAB. This guide breaks down what each card actually offers, how the benefits differ, and which one suits your travel habits — with every figure sourced from official bank and airline pages.
What Is the Jaywan Royal Card?
Jaywan is the UAE's own domestic card scheme, developed by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. It was built to give UAE residents a locally issued, locally accepted alternative to international networks, and is offered through the country's major banks in both debit and credit formats. Jaywan Royal is the scheme's top-tier product, aimed at higher-spending customers who want premium perks layered on top of standard domestic card functionality.
The Etihad Airways and Al Etihad Payments Partnership
On 23 October 2025, Etihad Airways and Al Etihad Payments signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to link the Jaywan Royal card directly to Etihad's booking platform. According to Etihad's official press release, the deal gives Jaywan Royal debit and credit cardholders an exclusive discount on Comfort and Deluxe fares across Etihad's global network when booking through etihad.com, along with priority Business Check-in and Priority Boarding.
H.E. Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor of Banking Operations and Support Services at the Central Bank of the UAE and Chairman of Al Etihad Payments, said the tie-up was designed to move Jaywan "beyond everyday transactions" and into more rewarding travel experiences for cardholders. Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves framed the agreement as part of a broader push to build more interconnected, customer-focused infrastructure across the UAE.
Jaywan Royal Benefits for Etihad Bookings
- Fare discounts: Exclusive pricing on Comfort and Deluxe cabin fares across Etihad's entire route network, applicable when booking directly on etihad.com.
- Priority Business Check-in: Jaywan Royal cardholders can use dedicated Business check-in counters regardless of the cabin they've booked.
- Priority Boarding: Earlier boarding access, reducing wait times at the gate.
- National scheme acceptance: Because Jaywan is issued by leading UAE financial institutions and accepted nationwide across all payment channels, the card works for everyday spending as well as travel booking.
Etihad Guest Co-Branded Credit Cards in the UAE
Separate from Jaywan, several UAE banks issue Visa credit cards co-branded with Etihad Guest, Etihad's frequent-flyer programme. These cards earn Etihad Guest Miles on everyday spending, offer welcome bonuses, and typically fast-track cardholders to Etihad Guest Gold Tier status. Below is a snapshot of the leading options, based on published bank terms.
Emirates NBD Etihad Guest Visa Elevate
A premium card offering up to 200,000 welcome Etihad Guest Miles across joining and spend milestones, 10 miles per AED 10 spent on Etihad flights, hotels and dining, and up to 6 miles per AED 10 on other purchases. Cardholders get complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges via the Visa Airport Companion app, Credit Shield Pro protection, and a Gold Tier fast-track after one round-trip flight. Minimum salary requirement: AED 30,000/month.
ADIB Etihad Guest Infinite Covered Card
Offers up to 75,000 welcome miles, 3.5 miles per AED 4 on Etihad purchases, unlimited lounge access in over 300 cities, a free companion ticket voucher after AED 150,000 annual spend, complimentary golf, and Takaful-based protection cover. Minimum salary requirement: AED 30,000/month.
Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
Provides a 60,000-mile welcome bonus, quarterly and anniversary bonus miles, up to 8.25 miles per AED 10 on international and Etihad.com spend, six months of complimentary Gold Tier status, unlimited lounge access via LoungeKey, and Entertainer-style buy-one-get-one offers. Minimum salary requirement: AED 30,000/month.
ADCB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
Delivers a 60,000-mile welcome reward plus monthly bonus miles for spend above US$5,000, up to 3 miles per US$1 on Etihad purchases, complimentary golf, 2-for-1 dining and entertainment offers, and extensive purchase protection. Minimum salary requirement: AED 30,000/month, or a credit limit of at least AED 40,000.
Emirates Islamic Etihad Guest Premium Credit Card
Offers a choice of 25,000 or 55,000 welcome miles depending on the membership fee tier, up to 3.5 miles per US$1 on Etihad spend, complimentary airport transfers, inflight Wi-Fi vouchers, unlimited lounge access, and a Gold Tier fast-track after AED 4,500 of Etihad spend within 12 months.
FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
Provides 55,000 welcome miles, up to 7.5 miles per AED 10 spent, unlimited airport lounge access, a 75% Etihad Guest Miles discount voucher, and discounted entry to attractions like Wild Wadi Waterpark and The View at the Palm. Minimum salary requirement: AED 30,000/month.
Jaywan Royal vs Etihad Guest Co-Branded Cards: Key Differences
| Feature | Jaywan Royal | Etihad Guest Co-Branded Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer type | UAE national scheme (Al Etihad Payments / CBUAE) | Individual UAE banks (Visa network) |
| Core Etihad benefit | Fare discount on Comfort/Deluxe + priority check-in & boarding | Etihad Guest Miles earning + Gold Tier fast-track |
| Miles earning | Not mile-based | Yes, on every spend category |
| Lounge access | Not specified in the MoU | Typically included (1,000+ lounges) |
| Best for | Everyday UAE spending with an Etihad booking perk | Frequent flyers chasing miles and elite status |
How to Get the Most Value
- Book Comfort or Deluxe fares directly on etihad.com with a Jaywan Royal card to capture the fare discount — third-party travel agents and OTAs are not covered by the MoU.
- Pair a Jaywan Royal card for domestic spending with an Etihad Guest co-branded credit card if you fly Etihad frequently, since the two programmes are not mutually exclusive.
- Track annual spend thresholds on Etihad Guest cards carefully — most welcome bonuses and discount vouchers are tied to specific 6- or 12-month spending milestones.
- Compare minimum salary requirements before applying; most premium Etihad Guest cards require a minimum monthly income of AED 30,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jaywan Royal a credit card or a debit card?
Both. The Etihad partnership applies to Jaywan Royal debit and credit cards alike, since the benefit is tied to the card tier rather than the payment type.
Do Jaywan Royal cardholders earn Etihad Guest Miles?
The publicly announced MoU covers fare discounts and priority airport services, not mile accrual. For mile-earning, a separate Etihad Guest co-branded credit card is required.
Which UAE bank issues the best Etihad Guest credit card?
It depends on spending habits: Emirates NBD's Visa Elevate offers the largest welcome bonus, while Al Hilal Bank and FAB offer some of the highest per-dirham mileage rates. Compare annual fees and salary requirements before choosing.
Can I use both a Jaywan Royal card and an Etihad Guest credit card?
Yes. They are separate products from separate issuers, so cardholders can hold both and use each for the benefits it offers.
Official Sources
- Etihad Airways press release: Etihad Airways and Al Etihad Payments Partner to Offer Exclusive Benefits for Jaywan Royal Cardholders
- Emirates NBD: Etihad Guest Visa Elevate
- ADIB: Etihad Guest Visa Infinite Covered Card
- Al Hilal Bank: Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
- ADCB: Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
- Emirates Islamic: Etihad Guest Premium Credit Card
- FAB: Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Card fees, mileage rates and eligibility criteria change periodically — confirm current terms directly with Etihad Airways or the relevant bank before applying.
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