Hassad vs Skywards: which loyalty program wins?

We score Hassad and Skywards on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.

Verdict

Hassad is best for Riyad Bank World Elite cardholders who spend internationally or on e-gaming, while Skywards is best for Frequent flyers.

Skip Hassad if Anyone wanting long point validity or airline/hotel transfer partners, and skip Skywards if Domestic flyers.

Overall rating

	Hassad	Skywards
Overall rating	2.8 / 5	3.9 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Redemption	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Network	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Ease of use	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Expiry	2.0 / 5	3.0 / 5

Earning structure

Hassad	Members are auto-enrolled in Hassad Rewards on most Riyad Bank credit card activations (some cards excluded). Earn rates vary significantly by card type and transaction category: World Elite Mastercard delivers up to 2.5% back; entry tiers typically earn 1% on local point-of-sale, 1.5% on international, 1.25% on online purchases, and 7.5% on e-gaming platforms. Welcome bonuses of 500-1,600 Hassad points apply on most cards. Points are also earned through digital banking transactions beyond card spend. The Hassad Rewards Calculator on the Riyad Bank website calculates expected points by card type and transaction type.
Skywards	Members earn Skywards Miles by flying with Emirates and flydubai (with Tier Miles for status qualification) and through 30+ partner airlines including Air Canada (full partnership December 2025), JetBlue, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, S7, and others (Skywards Miles only - no Tier Miles from partners). Earning also extends to hotel stays with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and ALL Accor; car rentals; dining partners; and retail. Saudi residents can transfer points from BSF Jana (500-point minimum, up to 200,000 per conversion) and anb rewards via published conversion rates. Tier bonuses: Silver +30%, Gold +75%, Platinum +100%. Members can also purchase miles. The Emirates Skywards Mastercard from Citi is US/Europe market only.

Redemption structure

Hassad	Points redeem through two main channels: at Hassad partner stores by providing the registered mobile number and confirming the transaction with an OTP code sent by SMS; or through the Riyad Bank mobile app for gift cards and vouchers. Members can transfer Hassad points to other Hassad members using their mobile number or Hassad ID. Minimum redemption threshold is 1,000 Hassad points. Vouchers obtained through Hassad are non-refundable and non-transferable. Points cannot be redeemed for cash or used to pay credit card fees, and are non-transferable financially. Refunded or cancelled transactions reverse the corresponding Hassad points.
Skywards	Miles redeem for award flights and upgrades on Emirates and flydubai, plus partner airlines (Air Canada, JetBlue, Korean, Cathay, Qantas, and 25+ more). Classic Rewards have fixed pricing; Flex Rewards have dynamic pricing with broader availability. Cash + Miles option allows partial payment for flights. Upgrade Rewards available on Emirates flights - particularly valuable on premium-cabin redemptions. First Class redemptions are restricted to Silver, Gold, and Platinum members (Blue members cannot book First). Members can also redeem for hotel stays via partners, car rentals, retail, sporting events, and cultural experiences. Fuel surcharges apply on most premium-cabin partner redemptions. Mile purchases available to supplement award costs.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	Hassad	Skywards
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	0	4
Top tier	—	Platinum
First-tier qualification	—	25,000 points
Point expiry	12 months	36 months inactivity (reset on earn)

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