Dubai - UAE, 12th January 2014: UAE's leading banking institution, Mashreq, today announced the launch of the Mashreq sMiles Credit Card - the first miles card in the UAE that allows customers to fly for free, instantly, with over 300 airlines including all domestic carriers of the UAE.

The new card is set to change the rules of travel forever by offering customers the fastest, easiest and simplest way to earn free flights, hotel stays and holiday packages around the world. Designed specifically to meet the travel needs of the large expatriate population in the UAE, Mashreq sMiles is offered free-for-life and allows customers to earn miles from the very first Dirham of spend - no tiers, no caps, no thresholds, no complicated calculations.

Cardholders also get a guaranteed give-back of 1.25% on every domestic purchase and 3.25% on all international spends and have the flexibility to instantly redeem accumulated sMiles for free air tickets for Anyone (self, friends and family), from Anywhere (not just for flights originating from the UAE) and at Anytime (no black-out dates), with over 300 airlines. And that's not all, sMiles can also be redeemed for hotel stays at more than 180,000 properties across the globe, holiday packages to exotic destinations and a host of ancillary services such as car rentals, Marhaba 'Meet & Greet' and visa assistance.

Speaking on the occasion, Farhad Dhun Irani, Head of Retail Banking Group at Mashreq said "At Mashreq, we pride ourselves on offering products and solutions that are innovative, relevant and set new standards in customer experience. The new Mashreq sMiles Credit Card hits the bull-eye on all counts - customer value, convenience and choice - and is one more example of how we make possible."

Nimish Dwivedi, Head of Payments at Mashreq said, "In a market where the typical travel card is either co-branded with a specific airline, has high fees, strict eligibility criteria or very limited redemption options, the Mashreq sMiles card is like a breath of fresh air. With zero annual fees, a simple yet powerful "what you see is what you get" proposition and a seamless redemption experience, our new Card democratizes air travel by doing away with entry barriers and making it ever so simple to get that free flight. Mashreq sMiles, quite literally, puts a smile on your face and Miles in your pocket."

About Mashreq:
Mashreq is one of the UAE's leading National Financial institutions and the second oldest. Founded in 1967 as Bank of Oman, the bank has played a pioneering role in the industry, particularly in retail banking. Among its many firsts, it was the first to launch such products as travellers' cheques, credit cards and ATMs.

In 2014, Mashreq has launched a new corporate identity that builds on its history of innovation and customer service and illustrates to the wider world just how committed it is to its customers, to the continued building up of its comprehensive expertise and market knowledge, and to nurturing its absolutely top-class reputation in the industry.

The Bank has received numerous international awards reflecting the bank's successful record, such as Gallup Great Workplace Award 2014, Best Regional Retail Bank by Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2014, SME Bank of the Year by Arabian Business Startup Awards 2014, Best Islamic Window by Islamic Business & Finance Awards 2014, Best Local Bank -UAE, Best Loan House - UAE, Best Regional Investment Bank - Middle East by EMEA Finance Middle East Banking Awards 2014, Best Use of nnovate Technology in the MEA Regional by MasterCard Innovation Forum 2014, Best Investment Bank - UAE, Best Commercial Bank - Qatar from World Finance Banking Awards 2014, Best Retail Bank UAE, Best Corproate Bank - Qatar, Best Customer Service Bank - Qatar by Global Banking & Finance Review Awards 2014 and the CSR Label for the fourth consecutive year by Dubai Chambers for its sustainability efforts in the community it serves.

As a leading financial Institution in the UAE, Mashreq aims to be world class in every facet of its business; including its social responsibility to the community it serves in. Towards this goal the bank pays particular attention to recruiting, training, developing and retaining UAE National employees.

© Press Release 2015