United Arab Bank Unveils Credit Cards with Free ENTERTAINER Membership

United Arab Bank has just shaken hands on a deal that could put a smile on many wallets across the UAE. The bank, which has roots dating back half a century, has teamed up with the ENTERTAINER—the region’s best-known lifestyle savings app—to bundle a complimentary 12‑month membership into its new credit cards. In plain terms, that means thousands of buy‑one‑get‑one‑free offers on everything from swanky dinners and family friendly theme parks to spa days and hotel stays.

At the official signing, UAB’s Head of Retail Banking, Emre Yalcin, underlined the twofold aim of the new cards: to support families while also making daily life a little smoother for individuals. He seemed pretty confident that this tie‑up would tick both boxes. On the other side of the table, ENTERTAINER founder Donna Benton stressed the company’s long‑standing goal of keeping savings simple and useful, saying the partnership would hand UAB customers more opportunities to enjoy what they love for less.

What makes this arrangement stand out is that UAB claims it’s now the only bank in the country giving cardholders full access to ENTERTAINER’s full set of offers nationwide. Not just a few perks here and there, but the whole lot—from KidZania and LEGOLAND® to posh spots like Mott32 or Ewaan, plus everyday haircuts, brunch buffets, and waterparks like Wild Wadi thrown into the mix.

From where I’m standing, this focus on lifestyle add‑ons is spot on. Too many credit cards promise rewards that are a bit of a faff to actually redeem. Here, the value is right in front of you—daily, visible, and usable. That said, not everyone cares about dining discounts or leisure parks. For some professionals, cashback might still trump a restaurant voucher. But for young families in Dubai or Sharjah, I reckon this could be a game‑changer.

Believe it or not, years back while covering startup stories for Arageek, I met a founder who joked that freebies like these were the “gateway drug” of financial loyalty schemes—hooking consumers with dinner deals before luring them into longer banking ties. It stuck with me because it was painfully true. Banks in the region know that customer habits are shaped by lifestyle, not just APR percentages.

Of course, this isn’t just good news for consumers. The ENTERTAINER’s merchants—from luxury hotels to gym studios—get a pipeline of cardholders ready to try their services, often more than once thanks to the buy‑one‑get‑one hook. In a tricky hospitality market, that’s a lifeline. On the flip side, the bank positions itself as modern, practical, and tuned into what customers really want. Everyone’s chuffed to bits, at least for now.

Will it last? Hard to say. Partnerships like this are only as strong as the traction they maintain over time. But for a country where dining out and leisure are practically national pastimes, the timing couldn’t be better. UAB may have just given its credit cards a seat at the big table—and if you’ve seen the prices at certain hotel brunches, you’ll understand why that matters. It’s definately a cleverly pitched move.

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