The Nol card is how Dubai charges for public transport. Every Metro ride, bus journey, tram trip, water bus crossing, and RTA taxi fare goes through it. What most Dubai residents do not know is that the card also earns reward points on every tap through the Nol Plus loyalty programme, and those points convert directly back into Nol balance. A regular Metro commuter making 40 trips per month is leaving approximately AED 120 to AED 200 in unclaimed rewards every year simply by not registering their card with Nol Plus. This is the complete guide to every discount, reward, and benefit available on the Nol card in 2026.
The four Nol card types and which to use
| Card type | Cost | Best for | Nol Plus eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red ticket | AED 2 (disposable) | Single trip, visitors | No |
| Silver card | AED 25 (AED 19 deposit + AED 6 credit) | Regular commuters, residents | Yes |
| Gold card | AED 25 (AED 19 deposit + AED 6 credit) | Commuters who prefer Gold class Metro | Yes |
| Blue card | Varies | Corporate and institution-issued | Yes |
The Silver card is the right choice for the vast majority of Dubai residents. It works on all RTA transport modes, earns Nol Plus points, and costs the same as the Gold card. The Gold card unlocks access to the Gold class Metro carriage, which offers wider seats and a quieter environment, at a fare premium of approximately 50% above Silver class. For most daily commuters the Silver card delivers everything needed.
The Red ticket cannot be linked to Nol Plus and earns no rewards. Any resident making more than 2 to 3 journeys per week should switch to a Silver card immediately to start earning points on every trip.
Nol Plus: the rewards programme explained
Nol Plus is the official RTA loyalty programme for Nol card users. It is free to join, requires no monthly subscription, and earns points automatically on every Nol card transaction once your card is registered. Points are earned on Metro fares, bus fares, tram fares, water bus fares, RTA parking payments, and purchases at participating retail and dining outlets that accept Nol card payment.
The point earning rate is 1 point per AED 1 spent. Points are credited to your Nol Plus account approximately 9 days after the transaction. Points are valid for 12 months from the date of earning. The minimum redemption threshold is 500 points, which is equivalent to AED 5 in Nol credit.
How to earn points
Public transport: Every AED 1 spent on Metro, bus, tram, and water bus fares earns 1 point. Gold class Metro fares earn the same points as Silver class despite costing more, making the points-per-dirham ratio identical.
RTA parking: Every AED 1 paid for RTA-managed parking using your Nol card earns 1 point. This is one of the most underused earning categories. Residents who drive and pay for RTA parking several times a week accumulate points from parking without taking a single Metro trip.
Online top-ups: Bonus points are awarded on some online Nol card top-ups. Check the Nol Plus portal or the RTA Dubai app for current bonus top-up promotions which change periodically.
Retail and dining partners: A growing number of retail stores and restaurants in Dubai accept Nol card payment and award Nol Plus points on purchases. The current partner list is available through the Nol Plus portal at nolplus.ae.
How to redeem points
Points are redeemed through the Nol Plus website at nolplus.ae or through the RTA Dubai app. Log into your Nol Plus account, go to Redeem Rewards, select the redemption option you want, and press Redeem. The reward is credited immediately after redemption.
The two main redemption options are Nol balance credit (most commonly used) and discounts at partner retail and dining outlets. For most commuters, converting points directly into Nol balance is the most practical option since it reduces the cost of future transport trips automatically.
Minimum redemption is 500 points, equivalent to AED 5. You cannot redeem partial amounts below 500 points so it is worth waiting until your balance reaches at least 500 before redeeming rather than losing points to inactivity expiry at the 12-month mark.
Points expire 12 months from the date they were earned, not from the last transaction date. Set a calendar reminder every 11 months to check your Nol Plus balance and redeem before the oldest points expire.
How to register your card with Nol Plus
Step 1: Go to rta.ae or nolplus.ae. Log in with your existing RTA account or UAE Pass, or register a new RTA account with your email, name, and mobile number if you do not have one.
Step 2: Once logged in, go to the Nol Card section and link your Nol card by entering the 10-digit Nol tag ID printed on the back of your card.
Step 3: Verify through the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Step 4: Your Nol Plus account is now active. Points start accumulating on every eligible transaction from this point forward. Note that past transactions before registration do not earn retroactive points.
You can link up to four Nol cards to a single Nol Plus account. This is useful for families who want to consolidate points from multiple cards into one redemption pool.
Registration is also available at RTA customer service centres and through the official RTA Nol services portal which shows all linked cards and current point balances.
Monthly and weekly passes: the biggest Nol saving
The single highest-value Nol card saving is not through the points programme but through the monthly and weekly pass options. A Silver class monthly pass covering unlimited Metro, bus, tram, and water bus rides costs AED 350 per month. A commuter making two Metro trips per day at an average of AED 5 per trip spends AED 300 per month at standard pay-per-ride rates. At 3 to 4 trips per day the monthly pass pays for itself and provides significant savings on top.
| Pass type | Cost | Coverage | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver monthly pass | AED 350 | Unlimited Metro, bus, tram, water bus (Silver class) | Approximately 70 to 90 trips per month |
| Gold monthly pass | AED 700 | Unlimited Metro, bus, tram, water bus (Gold class) | Approximately 70 to 90 trips per month at Gold fare |
| Silver weekly pass | AED 100 | Unlimited Silver class for 7 days | Approximately 20 to 25 trips in the week |
Monthly passes are purchased through the RTA app, at ticket offices, or at Nol top-up machines at Metro stations. The pass loads directly onto your Silver or Gold Nol card. Monthly passes also earn Nol Plus points on the purchase transaction.
Partner discounts at retail and dining outlets
Nol Plus members receive access to exclusive discounts at participating retail and dining outlets across Dubai. These discounts are in addition to the points earned on purchases and are presented by showing your Nol card at the outlet or logging in to the Nol Plus portal to access the offer code.
The partner list changes regularly as new businesses join the programme. The most current and complete list of participating outlets with their specific discount percentages is available at nolplus.ae under the Offers and Discounts section. Checking this section monthly before shopping at any major Dubai mall or restaurant area is worthwhile as partners rotate through promotions.
How to top up your Nol card
Nol cards can be topped up through several channels. The RTA Dubai app allows top-up from any UAE bank card and earns bonus points on some promotional top-ups. Nol top-up machines at every Metro station accept cash and card. RTA customer service centres at major stations handle top-ups and card replacements. A small number of retail outlets including some convenience stores and petrol stations also offer Nol top-up services.
The minimum top-up amount is AED 10. The maximum stored balance on a Nol card is AED 500. If your balance regularly drops to zero before you have a chance to top up, setting up auto top-up through the RTA app triggers an automatic reload when your balance falls below a threshold you set, preventing the inconvenience of being caught with insufficient balance at a gate.
How do I earn points with my Nol card?
Register your Silver, Gold, or Blue Nol card with the Nol Plus programme at nolplus.ae or through the RTA Dubai app. Once registered, you earn 1 point per AED 1 spent on Metro, bus, tram, water bus, and RTA parking. Points appear in your account approximately 9 days after the transaction and are valid for 12 months. The minimum redemption amount is 500 points, which equals AED 5 in Nol credit.
What is Nol Plus and is it free?
Nol Plus is the free loyalty programme for Nol card users in Dubai, run by the Roads and Transport Authority. It costs nothing to join and has no monthly subscription. You register your Nol card online, after which every AED 1 spent on public transport and RTA parking earns 1 reward point. Points convert to Nol card balance credit redeemable for future transport trips or discounts at partner outlets.
How much is a monthly Metro pass in Dubai in 2026?
A Silver class monthly pass covering unlimited Metro, bus, tram, and water bus trips costs AED 350. A Gold class monthly pass costs AED 700. A Silver weekly pass costs AED 100. Monthly passes are purchased through the RTA app, at Metro station ticket offices, or at Nol top-up machines and load directly onto your Nol card.
Can I use my Nol card for parking in Dubai?
Yes. Nol cards work for RTA-managed paid parking across Dubai. Nol card parking payments also earn Nol Plus points at the same rate as transport trips, 1 point per AED 1 paid. This makes the Nol card useful even for residents who drive rather than use public transport regularly, as parking payments contribute to the points balance redeemable for Nol credit or retail discounts.
For residents evaluating whether public transport or car ownership makes better financial sense in Dubai, the Dubai savings guide breaks down the full monthly cost of owning a car versus using the Metro and what the difference means for your annual budget.
