Key takeaways
  • Best for most people: a card with a foreign-currency fee of 1.5% or less and unlimited lounge access.
  • "Free" cards make it back on the exchange rate: a margin of up to 3% over the market rate.
  • If you travel fewer than twice a year, a no-annual-fee card is cheaper even with higher fees.

Choosing a travel card is not a cosmetic decision: a 1% difference in foreign-currency fees on SAR 5,000 of trip spending is SAR 50 gone, and it multiplies with every trip. So we built this comparison on what actually affects your wallet: fees, exchange rates, lounges, and points.

How we compared

We reviewed the published terms on the official websites of all eight banks and called customer service wherever a clause was unclear. Every figure below was verified on 20 October 2026. No bank paid to appear here; the ranking comes from the math, not relationships.

The full comparison

CardFX feeLounge accessPoints per SAR 10Annual fee
SNB Traveller PlatinumOur pick1.5%Unlimited (Priority Pass)5 pointsSAR 575
Alinma Travel1.99%6 visits4 pointsSAR 230
Al Rajhi Safar Plus2.25%8 visits3 pointsSAR 345
Riyad Bank Mastercard Titanium2.75%4 visits2 pointsFree for life

Figures from the banks’ published terms, last checked 20 October 2026 - sample data for design preview.

The result is clear: the SNB Traveller Platinum is the best value for anyone flying three or more times a year, despite its higher annual fee, because the foreign-fee savings and lounge visits cover the difference within two trips. If you rarely fly, the Riyad Bank free card saves you more over time.

Which card fits you?

If your salary is above SAR 15,000 and you travel often, the Platinum is the rational pick. If you want zero annual fees, take the Titanium and accept a slightly wider FX margin. And if airline miles are your goal, compare transfer programs before applying, because point value varies widely.

SNB Traveller Platinum strengths
  • Lowest FX fee in the whole comparison
  • Unlimited lounge access for you plus one guest
  • Points convert to miles with 3 airlines
  • Free travel insurance including delay cover
Weaknesses
  • Highest annual fee on the list (SAR 575)
  • Minimum salary of SAR 15,000
  • Points expire after 24 months
The ElSahh Price Tracker Sample data
FX fee (average of 12 travel cards)
Saudi Arabia - bank average
2.69%
▼ -0.1 pts this quarter
Tracks average published fees of Saudi banks Last update: today 09:00 Riyadh time

FAQ

Is the FX fee the same as the exchange rate?
No. The exchange rate is set by Mastercard or Visa close to the market rate, and the bank adds an FX fee on top (1.5% to 3% here). When comparing two cards, add both: FX margin plus fee.
Does lounge access include guests?
Depends on the card. The Platinum in our comparison includes one free guest; most others deduct extra visits from your allowance or charge SAR 125 per visitor.
Do reward points expire?
In most Saudi programs, points are valid for 12 to 24 months. Check the expiry clause before spending a year collecting points.
Spot a wrong figure or fact in this article? Reach us via Contact and we will review, correct, and note the correction here within 24 hours, per our corrections policy.
AS
Ahmed ElSherif
Money & banking editor at ElSahh, covering cards and remittances in the Saudi market.