Effective for all spends from 1 June 2026 onwards Last updated: May 2026 | Version 3.0
Overview - What Changed and Why
Your Plan Options at a Glance
How Cashback is Calculated
Minimum Spend - What Counts and What Doesn't
Per-Category Cashback Cap
Eligible Spend Categories (Where You Earn Cashback)
Excluded Categories (Where You Don't Earn Cashback)
International Spends
Transition Rules - What Happens in May 2026
When Does My Cashback Land?
Refunds, Reversals & Disputes
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting 1 June 2026, Sav is updating its cashback programme across both the Standard (free) and Pro (paid) plans. Here's the short version of what's changing:
Standard Plan cashback cap is being adjusted from AED 125 to AED 50 per month, with a lower minimum spend requirement.
Pro Plan subscription fee is being reduced from AED 149 to AED 99 per month, and the monthly cashback cap is being adjusted from AED 750 to AED 500.
A per-category cashback cap of AED 200 is being introduced for both plans.
International spends are now explicitly eligible for cashback - same 5% rate applies.
Government services (e.g. DEWA, SEWA, ADDC utility bills, and similar government-related payments) are now eligible for cashback.
All other features of the card and the platform (physical card, ATM withdrawals, FX fees, goals, MyMoney, etc.) remain unchanged unless separately communicated.
Why did we make this update? Based on the customer feedback activity we ran in Q1 this year, many customers shared that while the AED 750 cap was attractive, they were not able to fully use it every month. At the same time, the AED 149 Pro fee felt high for regular monthly usage.
So we reduced the Pro fee to AED 99, kept cashback at 5%, added more eligible categories, and reset the cap to AED 500 to make Pro more useful for everyday spending.
Note: The Pro Plan subscription fee and cashback limits reflect the updated terms effective 1 June 2026. Existing Pro subscribers in May 2026 continue on the old terms for May spends - see Section 9 for details.
Cashback is a promotional reward - it is not interest and should not be interpreted as an interest rate or a financial return. It is a benefit provided by Sav to encourage responsible card spending.
The formula is straightforward:
Cashback = 5% of your total Qualifying Spends in the month, subject to your plan's monthly cap and the per-category cap of AED 200.
Example - Standard Plan:
You spend AED 800 at eligible merchants during June 2026.
5% of AED 800 = AED 40.
AED 40 is below the AED 50 monthly cap, you receive AED 40 cashback.
Example - Pro Plan:
You spend AED 4,000 at eligible merchants during June 2026.
5% of AED 4,000 = AED 200.
AED 200 is below the AED 500 monthly cap, you receive AED 200 cashback (subject to the per-category cap).
Example - Pro Plan hitting the monthly cap:
You spend AED 12,000 at eligible merchants during June 2026.
5% of AED 12,000 = AED 600.
AED 600 exceeds the AED 500 monthly cap, you receive AED 500 cashback (subject to per-category caps).
Important: Cashback from Scratch Cards and Money Missions counts toward your monthly cashback cap. Cashback from PayDay Rewards and Referral Bonuses does not count toward the cap and is credited separately over and above it.
To be eligible for cashback in any given month, you need to meet the minimum qualifying spend threshold on your Sav card.
What counts toward your minimum spend?
Any transaction made on your Sav card (physical or virtual) at an eligible merchant counts - whether in-store, online, via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or any other card-based payment method.
What does NOT count toward minimum spend?
The following transaction types are excluded from minimum spend calculations and do not qualify for cashback regardless of amount:
Top-ups or loads to digital wallets (e.g. Careem Pay, BOTIM, Huawei Pay top-ups)
ATM cash withdrawals
Peer-to-peer transfers between individuals
Remittances or international money transfers
Transactions on investment platforms (stocks, crypto, funds, etc.)
Real estate purchase or investment payments
Rental payments to landlords or real estate management companies
Gambling and related transactions
Certain restricted or high-risk product purchases, based on applicable payment network, regulatory, or risk controls
Bulk or business-use purchases (that appear inconsistent with personal card usage and may require review)
Unsettled or pending transactions at the end of the qualifying month
Sav's review : To ensure cashback is applied fairly and correctly, Sav may review transactions to confirm whether they meet the cashback eligibility criteria. If a transaction does not qualify, it may not be included in the minimum spend or cashback calculation. If you believe a transaction has been incorrectly excluded, you can contact Sav Support and we’ll review it in line with our complaints process and applicable terms.
From 1 June 2026, a per-category cashback cap of AED 200 applies to both plans. This means, regardless of how much you spend in any single category in a given month, the maximum cashback you can earn from that one category is AED 200.
How this works:
If you spend AED 6,000 at restaurants in June, 5% = AED 300. But the per-category cap is AED 200, you earn AED 200 from restaurants.
The remaining AED 300 cashback potential from your spend cap (for Pro) can still come from other categories.
Why this cap exists: This helps make cashback useful across a wider range of everyday spends, rather than being concentrated in one category only.It also applies regardless of your overall plan's monthly cashback cap.
Note: The per-category cap and the monthly cap work together. The per-category cap of AED 200 limits what any one category can contribute. Your total cashback across all categories still cannot exceed your plan's monthly cap (AED 50 for Standard, AED 500 for Pro).
Cashback applies to eligible retail and e-commerce spends at VAT-registered businesses. Below is a detailed breakdown of spend categories that qualify, along with the Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) typically associated with them. MCCs are codes assigned to merchants by payment networks - they help identify what type of business processed your payment.
A quick note on merchant categories: This list is meant to help you understand where cashback usually applies. Cashback depends on how the merchant is categorised by the payment network. Sometimes a merchant may appear to fall into an eligible category but be processed under a different MCC. If you are unsure, you can contact Sav Support. In some cases, we may request an invoice or proof of purchase to help review cashback eligibility.
Everyday grocery and retail shopping at supermarkets, hypermarkets, food stores and malls.
Examples: Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys, Waitrose, Noon Grocery, H&M, Zara, IKEA, Virgin Megastore, Amazon.ae, Noon Shopping.
Enjoy benefits across food and beverage outlets, including restaurants, cafés, fast-food establishments, and bars, as well as a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities, including movies, events, and theme parks.
Examples: McDonald's, Starbucks, Zomato restaurant orders, Deliveroo, Talabat, VOX Cinemas, Reel Cinemas, Global Village, Dubai Frame, Ski Dubai, Yas Waterworld
Flights, hotels, car rentals, and local transportation.
Examples: Emirates, flydubai, booking.com, Airbnb, Uber, Careem ride-hailing, Rotana Hotels
Note: Careem or Uber ride-hailing qualifies for cashback. However, Careem Pay wallet top-ups do not - only the ride transactions themselves.
Pharmacies, medical services, clinics, hospitals, salons, spas, gyms, and other health, wellness, and personal care services.
Examples: Aster Pharmacy, Life Pharmacy, Mediclinic, American Hospital, Boots, Sephora, Fitness First, Life Pharmacy
Schools, universities, tutoring, and professional courses.
Examples: Schools and university fee portals (where processed as card payments)
Mobile phone bills, internet services, and digital subscriptions.
Examples: Etisalat (e&), du, Virgin Mobile, Netflix, Spotify, OSN+, DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority), SEWA (Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority), ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company), FEWA, and similar utility providers
Please note that MCC codes pertaining to tax payments, court-order fines and statutory tax payments, VISA renewal for human resources, etc. are excluded from the cashback. Examples: 9211 - Court Costs and Fines, 9222- Fines- Government Administrative Entities, 9311- Tax Payments - Government Agencies etc.
Fuel purchases at petrol stations and car services qualify for cashback.
Examples: ENOC, ADNOC
Some transaction types are not eligible for cashback under the current programme. These transactions will not earn cashback and will not count toward the minimum spend requirement.
Any transaction made on a platform primarily used for buying or trading investments - including stocks, mutual funds, bonds, ETFs, crypto, or commodities - is excluded.
Examples: eToro, Sarwa, StashAway, Wio Invest, crypto exchanges, stock brokerage platforms
Sav's own wealth and investment products accessed through the Sav app are subject to their own separate terms and cashback eligibility will be determined at Sav's discretion.
Payments toward real estate acquisition, property investment, or rental of residential or commercial property are excluded.
Examples: Payments to a landlord's account, RERA-registered rental portals, property developer payment portals (e.g. Emaar, DAMAC, Aldar payment gateways)
Note: Hotel bookings (short-term stays) are eligible for cashback under the Travel category. The exclusion applies specifically to longer-term residential/commercial rental contracts and property purchase payments.
All gambling-related transactions are excluded, including online and in-person.
Where a transaction's MCC code does not fall within any defined category, it will be classified as a Miscellaneous Category transaction and subject to manual review by Sav. Such transactions do not automatically qualify as Eligible Spend, and Sav reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to mark any Miscellaneous Category transaction as ineligible. All Miscellaneous Category transactions are subject to the per-category spend on a cumulative basis.
Certain product categories may be restricted or excluded from cashback based on payment network rules, regulatory requirements, or Sav’s risk controls. This list may be updated from time to time. Typical examples include:
Firearms and weapons retailers
Certain unregulated financial schemes or platforms
Merchants flagged by payment networks as high-risk
Purchases that appear to be made for commercial resale, business inventory, or bulk use rather than personal consumption may require review and may not qualify for cashback.
What this means practically: If you're buying 50 units of a product or the transaction size in unusually large quantities or transaction patterns that do not appear consistent with regular personal spending may be reviewed. There is no fixed threshold; each case is assessed based on the overall transaction context.
If you believe a transaction has been incorrectly treated as a bulk or business purchase, you can contact Sav Support with supporting details and we’ll review it in line with the applicable terms.
Loading money into digital wallets (even for subsequent spending) does not qualify for cashback. Only direct merchant transactions qualify.
Examples of excluded wallet/P2P transactions:
Careem Pay top-ups
BOTIM Pay top-ups
Huawei Pay wallet loads
Any peer-to-peer money transfers between individuals
Remittances and international wire transfers
Cash withdrawn from ATMs does not qualify for cashback regardless of where the ATM is located (UAE, GCC, or international).
From 1 June 2026, international spends are eligible for cashback under the same 5% rate and the same monthly and per-category caps.
This means:
If you use your Sav Card while travelling abroad or for online purchases billed in a foreign currency, you earn 5% cashback on those transactions.
The same category eligibility rules apply internationally. For example, eligible dining or shopping spends abroad may qualify, while excluded categories remain excluded.
Your foreign exchange (FX) fee (2.80% for Standard, 2.30% for Pro) will still apply on international transactions. The cashback and the FX fee are calculated separately.
Example:
Pro user spends AED 2,000 equivalent in London on dining and shopping.
FX fee at 2.30% = AED 46 (charged at the time of transaction). These fees are primarily pass-through network and processing costs.
5% cashback on AED 2,000 = AED 100 (credited on 10th of the month after next).
Net benefit: AED 100 cashback – AED 46 FX fee = AED 54 net positive.
Currency conversion: Cashback is calculated on the AED equivalent of the transaction as settled in your Sav account, not on the original foreign currency amount. The exchange rate used is set by Visa/NymCard at the time of settlement.
The new plan terms take effect on 1 June 2026. Here's what this means for transactions made in May 2026:
All spends made in May 2026 (i.e., the calendar month of May) will be governed by the old Pro plan terms - cashback cap of AED 750, minimum spend of AED 1,000.
This applies to all Pro users who hold an active Pro subscription at any point during May 2026, including those who subscribe on 31 May 2026.
Cashback for May 2026 spends will be credited to your Sav Card on 10 July 2026 (the 10th of the second month following the qualifying month).
May 2026 spends are governed by the old Standard plan terms - cashback cap of AED 125, minimum spend of AED 2,000.
The new cashback caps, minimum spends, per-category cap, and Pro subscription fee of AED 99 all take effect for spends from 1 June 2026 onwards.
Pro users who renew their subscription on or after 1 June 2026 will be charged AED 99 (not AED 149) for the new subscription cycle.
You still receive your May cashback under the old Pro terms (credited 10 July 2026).
From June onwards, you would be on the Standard plan and your June spends would be subject to Standard plan terms.
Important: Sav may review unusual subscription or transaction activity during the transition period to ensure the May benefit is applied fairly and in line with the programme terms. Cashback may be adjusted where the transition terms are misused or where transactions do not meet the eligibility criteria.
Cashback is credited to your Sav Card balance (not to a separate wallet, but directly as spendable balance on your card) on the 10th of the second calendar month after the qualifying month.
What if the 10th is a weekend or public holiday? Cashback will be credited on or around the 10th. Minor delays due to banking processing days are possible. If cashback has not appeared by the 15th of the relevant month, contact Sav Support.
Once credited, your cashback:
Is available as spendable balance on your Sav Card immediately.
Can be used for any purchase, ATM withdrawal, or card transaction like any other balance.
Cannot be transferred out as a separate "cashback payment" - it adds directly to your card balance.
If a qualifying transaction is refunded (fully or partially) before cashback is disbursed, your cashback will be adjusted proportionally or revoked for that transaction. If the refund happens after cashback has already been credited, Sav reserves the right to deduct the corresponding cashback amount from your card balance.
Some e-commerce transactions remain in a pending state at the end of the month. If a transaction is unsettled at the time cashback is calculated, it will not count toward that month's cashback. You may submit proof of purchase to Sav Support before the end of the next calendar month - if Sav validates it, the transaction may be included retroactively.
If you believe a transaction was incorrectly excluded from cashback:
Contact Sav Support via call, email (support@sav.money), or WhatsApp.
Provide the transaction details and any supporting documentation.
Sav will review the transaction based on the merchant category, transaction details, supporting documents, and applicable program terms.
If the transaction does not meet the eligibility criteria, cashback will not be applied.
Sav's decision on whether a transaction qualifies is final and binding*.
Note: Disputes about the card transaction itself (fraudulent charges, incorrect amounts, chargebacks) are handled by NymCard, not Sav. Contact NymCard via the Sav App for card disputes.
*This does not affect your right to raise a formal complaint with Sav or to refer an unresolved complaint in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions.
Q: I currently pay AED 149/month for Pro. When does my subscription fee change to AED 99?
A: Your subscription fee changes at your next billing cycle on or after 1 June 2026. If your billing date is, say, 15 June 2026, your new charge will be AED 99. You will not be refunded the difference for any billing that occurred before June 2026.
Q: I spent AED 15,000 in May 2026. Do I still get the full AED 750 cashback?
A: Yes - if you are an active Pro user at any point during May 2026, your May spends are governed by the old Pro plan terms. 5% of AED 15,000 = AED 750. That's exactly at the old cap, so you receive AED 750 cashback, credited on 10 July 2026.
Q: What is the per-category cap and does it affect Pro users too?
A: Yes, the AED 200 per-category cap applies to both Standard and Pro users starting from June 2026. It means the maximum cashback you can earn from any single spending category (e.g. groceries, dining, travel) in a month is AED 200, no matter how much you spend in that category. For Pro users, you can still earn up to AED 500 total cashback per month - it just needs to come from across multiple categories.
Q: I'm a Standard user. Does the minimum spend change from AED 2,000 to AED 500?
A: Yes. From 1 June 2026, Standard users only need to spend AED 500 per month (down from AED 2,000) to qualify for cashback. This is a benefit - it's now easier to hit the minimum.
Q: Can I earn cashback on my DEWA/utility bill payments?
A: Yes - from 1 June 2026, utility payments (DEWA, SEWA, ADDC, FEWA, etc.) are eligible for cashback when paid via your Sav Card. The standard 5% rate applies, subject to the per-category cap of AED 200 and your plan's monthly cap. Utility bills paid in May 2026 and earlier were not eligible under the previous terms.
Q: I paid my rent using my Sav Card. Does that count?
A: No. Rental payments - whether to a landlord directly or through a property management platform - are excluded from cashback. These are classified as residential or commercial rental transactions and fall outside the eligible spend categories.
Q: I used my Sav Card abroad. Do I earn cashback on that?
A: Yes - international spends are now eligible for cashback starting June 2026. The same 5% rate applies. Just note that the FX transaction fee (2.30% for Pro, 2.80% for Standard) still applies on international transactions separately. The cashback helps offset this cost.
Q: I used my Sav Card to top up my Careem Pay wallet, then used Careem to pay for rides. Does that earn cashback?
A: No. The top-up of your Careem Pay wallet does not qualify for cashback - wallet loading is explicitly excluded. However, if you use your Sav Card directly at the point of paying for a Careem ride (i.e. your Sav card is charged directly by Careem for the ride), that transaction may qualify as a transport/taxi spend.
Q: What if I spend AED 3,000 on dining and AED 2,000 on shopping as a Pro user. How much cashback do I get?
A: Here's the breakdown:
Dining: 5% of AED 3,000 = AED 150. This is below the AED 200 per-category cap → AED 150 from dining.
Shopping: 5% of AED 2,000 = AED 100. This is below the AED 200 per-category cap → AED 100 from shopping.
Total: AED 250. This is below the AED 500 Pro monthly cap → you receive AED 250 cashback.
Q: What if I spend AED 6,000 on dining and AED 8,000 on shopping as a Pro user?
A: Here's the breakdown:
Dining: 5% of AED 6,000 = AED 300. Per-category cap is AED 200 → AED 200 from dining.
Shopping: 5% of AED 8,000 = AED 400. Per-category cap is AED 200 → AED 200 from shopping.
Total: AED 400. This is below the AED 500 Pro monthly cap → you receive AED 400 cashback.
Q: What happens if my transaction is flagged as a bulk or business purchase?
A: Sav may classify certain transactions as bulk or business purchases based on the merchant, transaction size, or purchase pattern. These are excluded from cashback. If you believe a transaction was wrongly classified, contact Sav Support with proof of purchase and we’ll review it in line with the applicable terms. Sav's decision is final, but your concern will be reviewed.
Q: When is cashback not paid even if I meet the minimum spend?
A: Cashback may not be paid, or may be adjusted, if: :
Your Sav account is inactive, suspended, or closed at the time of disbursement.
Fraudulent or suspicious activity is detected on your account.
Your transactions were subsequently refunded or reversed.
Your transactions were determined to be non-qualifying (excluded categories, unsettled transactions, etc.).
You failed to meet the minimum qualifying spend for the month.
You cannot provide a purchase invoice in your name when requested by the Sav team.
Q: Does my Scratch Card reward count toward the cashback cap?
A: Yes - rewards from Scratch Cards and Money Missions count toward your monthly cashback cap. For example, if you are a Standard user and earned AED 25 from a Scratch Card and AED 10 from Money Missions (AED 35 total), your remaining cashback eligibility from card spends is AED 15 (to reach the AED 50 cap). Scratch Card rewards are credited on top of (separate to) the cap.
PayDay Rewards and Referral Bonuses do not count toward the cap and are paid additionally.
Q: I just subscribed to Pro on 31 May 2026. Do I get the old Pro cashback terms for May?
A: Yes - as long as your Pro subscription is active at any point during May 2026, your May spends are covered by the old Pro terms (AED 750 cap, AED 1,000 minimum spend). However, Sav reserves the right to review subscriptions that appear to have been taken out solely to exploit transitional cashback terms.
Q: Is cashback taxable?
A: Cashback is a promotional reward and not income. Sav does not deduct any taxes on cashback disbursements. However, individual tax obligations vary - if you are concerned about the tax treatment of cashback rewards, please consult a qualified tax advisor. Sav does not provide tax advice.
Q: What if my cashback hasn't appeared by the 10th of the expected month?
A: Allow until the 15th of the disbursement month for processing. If cashback has not appeared by then, contact Sav Support at support@sav.money or via in-app chat/WhatsApp. Please have your transaction history from the qualifying month ready to help speed up the review.
Cashback is a promotional reward, not interest. The 5% cashback is a benefit provided by Sav Technologies Limited and is not to be construed as an interest rate, savings rate, or financial return in any form.
Sav reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the cashback programme at any time with a minimum of 14 days' prior notice, communicated through in-app notifications, email, or other notification channels. If no objection is raised and your account remains active after the effective date of the change, you are deemed to have accepted the updated terms.
Sav Technologies Limited (F009281) is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC, registration no. 5474). The Sav Card is a prepaid card issued by NymCard Payment Services LLC, pursuant to a license by Visa, and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (Category II License reference 08.01.02.001.2022.02).
Governing Law: These terms are governed by the laws of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
For support: support@sav.money | +971 55 435 6597 (9am–7pm GST, Mon–Sat)
DISCLAIMER
This knowledge base is published by Sav Technologies Limited ("Sav") for general informational and guidance purposes only. It does not constitute, and must not be relied upon as, a legally binding document, a contract, a representation, or a warranty of any kind. Nothing in this knowledge base creates or modifies any right or obligation between you and Sav.
This document is a plain-language summary and may not capture every term, condition, exception, or nuance contained in Sav's binding legal documents. In the event of any inconsistency, ambiguity, or conflict between this knowledge base and any of Sav's official legal documents - including but not limited to the Standard Terms and Conditions, the Sav Pro Subscription Terms and Conditions, the Cashback Campaign Terms and Conditions, the Schedule of Charges, and the Card Member Terms and Conditions issued by NymCard - the relevant official legal document shall prevail in all respects, without exception.
This knowledge base reflects the terms as understood at the time of publication. Sav reserves the right to amend, update, remove, or replace this knowledge base. The absence of an update to this document does not imply that the underlying terms remain unchanged. Customers should refer to the latest applicable terms available on sav.money for the most current and complete terms, , which are available at sav.money.
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