Etihad Guest in partnership with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has launched a portfolio of four co-branded credit cards in the U.A.E. The Etihad Guest Above Credit Cards offer up to four Etihad Guest miles for every US$1 spent, bonus miles for spending internationally and up to 50,000 miles as a welcome bonus. Other bonuses include a fast track to Silver and Gold status levels, 50 percent off upgrade award vouchers and more. Two of the cards, the Classic and Gold cards, come with no annual fee but also no welcome bonus miles. The Platinum card annual fee is AED 1,000 (approximately US$270) and the Infinite card is AED 2,500 (approximately US$680). Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?2825 to learn more and to apply for an ADCB card.

Etihad has also launched co-branded credit and debit cards with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) that earn up to 2.5 miles per US$1 spent and up to 50,000 bonus miles upon your first purchase. Customers in the U.A.E. who apply for one of the ADIB cards will get the chance to enter a draw to win one million or 100,000 Etihad Guest miles until Oct. 30, 2010. Five people will win one million miles and 50 will win 100,000 miles–the winners will be announced Nov. 4, 2010. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?2826 to learn more and apply for a card.

Bottom line: These are well thought out cards with varying benefits according to the needs of members. The two lower ADCB cards do not offer a sign-on bonus, but they are free and still offer double miles for Etihad Airways Web site and international purchases. Both card Web sites have a handy comparison tool called the Miles Calculator for members to be able to quickly see how many miles they’ll rack up with the different card options according to how much you expect to spend.