Emirates review

The card charges an annual fee of $99. Beyond that, the only other cost listed is a currency conversion fee of 0% on foreign purchases, so cardholders spending in another currency are not surcharged on top of the fee.

Balances carry an APR of 19.49% to 29.49%, above the 14.45% median across the cards ranked here. That rate is the reason the card suits people who pay in full, since interest at this level quickly outruns the miles earned.

There is no foreign transaction fee on international purchases, and the currency conversion fee is 0%. The card ranks 1 of 186 brands on that measure, which matters for anyone paying in another currency.

The card pays miles rather than cash back: a higher rate on Emirates spend, a lower rate on travel spend and the lowest rate on all other spend. Miles do not expire while the card account remains open, and the rewards type is miles.

A balance transfer costs 5% and carries an introductory period of 12. Once that window closes, the transferred balance is left on the card at 19.49% to 29.49%, so the fee only saves money if the transfer is cleared inside the offer.

Perks listed include Skywards Silver tier status, a discount on Skywards Miles bought with the card, Priority Pass Select lounge access on the Premium World Elite Mastercard, and a statement credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck on that card (Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for 12 months (Rewards World Elite Mastercard), Skywards Miles do not expire while the card account remains open and 25% discount on purchase or gift of Skywards Miles when paying with the card).

Support runs on email, chat and phone, which covers phone, chat, email and a help centre. A cardholder can therefore reach someone on the phone as well as in writing, which helps with statements and any dispute about miles earned on a purchase.

It is a credit card, so a balance is repaid later rather than paid off from a deposit at each purchase. It suits flyers who spend heavily with Emirates and clear the balance, given the APR of 19.49% to 29.49% on anything left outstanding.