Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Marriott Bonvoy and Visa have introduced two co-branded payment cards in the United Arab Emirates, extending the hotel loyalty program into ADIB’s Sharia-compliant retail banking business..
Both cards allow customers to collect Marriott Bonvoy points on qualifying purchases. Those points can be used for hotel stays, room upgrades, dining and other eligible redemptions across Marriott Bonvoy’s network. The program covers more than 30 hotel brands and over 10,000 destinations worldwide, although availability and the number of points required vary by property, date and type of redemption.
Rewards Differ Between the Two Products
The Visa Infinite card is positioned as the higher-tier product. Under a limited-time introductory offer, eligible customers can earn up to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, ADIB said. Cardholders also receive Gold Elite status and may qualify for an accelerated route to Platinum Elite status. The bank’s card listing says the product can earn as many as eight Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 of eligible spending, with the precise rate depending on the purchase category and applicable terms.
Customers choosing the Visa Signature card receive 50,000 points after activation and Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.. ADIB lists an earning rate of up to three points per $1 spent.
Benefits available across the products include airport lounge access, dining offers and selected Marriott Bonvoy status privileges. Late checkout and room upgrades are subject to availability, while welcome awards, accelerated status and category-based earning rates may carry spending requirements or other restrictions.
Banking, Travel and Payments Converge
The arrangement divides the customer proposition among three partners. ADIB issues the cards within its Sharia-compliant banking framework, Marriott Bonvoy supplies the loyalty program and redemption network, and Visa provides the payment infrastructure. Points may also be transferred to more than 40 airline partners or used through Marriott Bonvoy Moments, although transfer ratios and availability are governed by the relevant program rules.
Amit Malhotra, ADIB’s global head of retail banking, said: “This partnership represents a significant step in enhancing how we reward our customers and connect with their lifestyle aspirations. By combining ADIB’s leadership in Islamic finance with Marriott Bonvoy’s world-class hospitality programme and Visa’s payment technology leadership, we are creating meaningful value that extends beyond banking and reflects our vision to be a trusted partner in every aspect of our customers’ lives.”
Andrew Watson, Marriott International’s chief commercial officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added: “The launch of these new credit cards in the UAE reflects our continued commitment to enhancing the travel journey for our Marriott Bonvoy members and offering them even more rewarding ways to fuel their passion for travel. The UAE is home to a highly engaged community of travellers, and these cards are designed to give them greater flexibility in how they earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, enjoy meaningful benefits and unlock inspiring travel experiences across our portfolio of global destinations.”
Visa’s UAE country manager and vice president, Salima Gutieva, noted: “As a trusted partner for co-brands across travel and lifestyle, Visa is committed to helping our clients grow by delivering the best payment experience for their customers. With ADIB and Marriott Bonvoy, we’ve designed a distinctive, rewarding card proposition their customers can enjoy with the backing of Visa’s security and global acceptance at more than 150 million merchant partners.”
The launch adds Marriott Bonvoy products to an ADIB card lineup that already includes partnerships involving airlines, retailers and travel platforms. In practical terms, the new cards turn eligible household spending into Marriott Bonvoy points while keeping the banking relationship with an Islamic financial institution.
