The MasterCard Innovation Awards recognize the achievements of payment industry leaders who continuously demonstrate a keen insight into consumer needs and deliver innovative and highly impactful solutions that ultimately drive business results.

This is the second honor for Mashreq sMiles within a year of its launch. Earlier this year, sMiles was adjudged the ‘The Best Credit Card’ at the Smart Card & Payments Awards, Middle East 2015.

Nimish Dwivedi, Head of Payments, Mashreq said: "Mashreq sMiles is a live example of an immensely successful, customer-centric & market defining product innovation in the UAE. The successive awards, at respected industry forums, only reflect & corroborate with distinction, Mashreq’s inherent strength and ability to remain at the vanguard of innovation while creating value for both customers & the bank."

Mashreq sMiles, launched earlier this year, offers customers the fastest, easiest and simplest way to earn free flights across 300+ airlines, hotel stays at over 180,000 properties worldwide, holiday packages, car rentals, Meet & Greet assistance and visa services. With its free-for-life benefit coupled with a powerful ‘what you see is what you get’ proposition – cardholders earn miles from the very first Dirham of spend without any tiers, caps, or spend thresholds – and seamless, instant redemption online, it has completely transformed the rules of travel in the UAE.

MasterCard UAE senior vice president and general manager Eyad Al Kourdi said: "Mashreq is a valuable partner to us and we are delighted to present this award in recognition of its innovative marketing campaign. Mashreq’s campaign supports our aim to drive innovation in the payments industry while providing cardholders with priceless experiences."