TL;DR: Amazon UAE direct purchases rarely give good credit card cashback. The trick is to buy Amazon Gift Cards at stores/apps that give high cashback for specific categories (supermarkets, fuel, electronics, or through apps like Smiles/ShopCash) and then use those gift cards on Amazon. This lets you indirectly earn cashback on your Amazon spending.
Ever feel frustrated that your Amazon.ae purchases don’t seem to earn you any decent cashback on your credit cards? You’re not alone! Most credit cards in the UAE don’t offer special rewards for general online shopping on Amazon.ae. But fear not, there’s a clever workaround that many savvy shoppers use to maximize their rewards: the Amazon Gift Card trick.
How to Get Cashback on Your Amazon.ae Spending
The core idea is to shift your cashback earning from the Amazon purchase itself to the purchase of an Amazon Gift Card. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing just that:
- Identify Your High-Cashback Categories: Look at your existing credit cards. Do you have cards that offer high cashback (e.g., 5-10%) on specific spending categories like:
- Supermarkets/Groceries: Cards that reward highly for spending at Lulu, Carrefour, Spinneys, etc.
- Fuel/Petrol Stations: Cards offering boosted cashback at ADNOC, Emarat, ENOC/EPPCO.
- Electronics/Retail: Cards that provide better rewards at electronics stores like Sharaf DG or other general retail outlets.
- Online Wallets/Digital Payments: Some cards give higher rewards for payments made through Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet, or other online payment gateways.
- Purchase Amazon Gift Cards at Relevant Merchants:
- Physical Stores: Go to supermarkets (Lulu, Carrefour) or petrol stations (ADNOC, Emarat) or even electronics stores (Sharaf DG, Geekay) and buy Amazon.ae gift cards at the cashier. Pay using the credit card that gives you the highest cashback for that specific category.
- Apps/Online Platforms:
- Smiles App (CBD Smiles card): Some users report getting excellent cashback (e.g., 10%) when purchasing Amazon gift cards directly through the Etisalat Smiles app, especially if they have a CBD Smiles credit card.
- Yougotagift.com: This platform sells various gift cards, and certain credit cards (like some from Sharjah Islamic Bank – SIB) might offer cashback on purchases made here.
- ShopCash: This cashback app can offer additional cashback (e.g., up to 7.2%) when you’re redirected to Amazon.ae through their platform. This can be stacked on top of your credit card rewards if you use it for the final Amazon purchase (though the gift card trick focuses on the purchase of the gift card for higher category-specific cashback).
- Load Gift Cards to Your Amazon Account: Once you have the Amazon gift card codes, simply log in to your Amazon.ae account and add the gift card balance to your wallet.
- Shop as Usual: Now, when you make purchases on Amazon.ae, the amount will be deducted from your gift card balance, effectively giving you cashback on your Amazon spend indirectly through the initial gift card purchase.
Why This Trick Works & Why Direct Amazon Purchases Don’t Always Give Good Cashback
This “trick” isn’t a glitch, but rather an exploitation of how credit card reward programs categorize spending.
- Merchant Category Codes (MCCs): Credit card companies classify merchants using MCCs. When you pay directly on Amazon.ae, it’s typically categorized as “online retail” or “e-commerce,” which often falls into a lower cashback tier (e.g., 0.5% or 1% flat rate) or is even excluded from bonus categories on many cards.
- Category-Specific Rewards: Many UAE credit cards offer boosted cashback for specific categories like “groceries,” “fuel,” or “telecom” (which some gift card platforms might fall under). By buying an Amazon gift card at a merchant in one of these high-reward categories, you trigger the higher cashback rate.
- It’s Beyond Your Direct Control: You cannot change how Amazon.ae is categorized by banks. This is why a direct purchase usually yields minimal cashback. The gift card strategy is an indirect way to leverage your card’s benefits.
Getting Official Information & Confirming Cashback Categories
To ensure you’re maximizing your cashback and to verify which categories your credit cards reward highly, always check official sources:
- Your Bank’s Official Website/App: The most reliable place to find your credit card’s terms and conditions, including detailed information on cashback categories and any caps.
- Credit Card Statements: Review your statements to see how your past purchases have been categorized and the cashback earned.
- Bank Customer Service: If in doubt, call your bank’s customer service to confirm specific MCCs and cashback rates for different merchants.
- Community Forums (like r/UAEcreditcards): These forums are excellent for crowdsourcing information on specific card benefits and sharing experiences with different cashback hacks. You can often find up-to-date insights from other users.
When to Consult Your Bank & How to Prepare
- Before attempting this trick with a new card: It’s always best to call your bank’s customer service to confirm if purchasing gift cards at a specific merchant (e.g., Carrefour, ADNOC) will indeed trigger the desired cashback category.
- If you are considering a new credit card: Ask about their cashback structure, especially for categories where you plan to buy gift cards. Inquire about any monthly or annual caps on cashback.
When contacting customer service, be clear: “I am planning to buy an Amazon gift card at [Merchant Name, e.g., Carrefour] using my [Your Credit Card Name]. Can you confirm if this purchase will qualify for the [Specific Cashback Category, e.g., ‘supermarket/grocery’] cashback rate of [X]%?”
Concluding Thoughts
This Amazon gift card hack is a fantastic way for frequent Amazon shoppers in the UAE to indirectly earn significant cashback where they otherwise wouldn’t. Always remember to do your homework by checking your card’s terms and conditions or by contacting your bank to confirm the cashback categories. By strategically purchasing gift cards, you can turn your regular Amazon spending into a rewarding experience. Happy shopping (and earning)!
