Can you use credit cards in UAE? What are the benefits of using credit cards in the UAE? Check out this post to know the detailed answers!

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Can You Use Credit Cards in UAE

Research shows that the number of foreigners and tourists arriving in the UAE has doubled in recent years. It has reached approximately 21 million people between 2020 and 2021. The UAE government has made substantial efforts to provide safe tourism and travel to foreigners during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dubai is the most visited city in the UAE. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the Middle East, thanks to the picturesque beaches, world-class hotels, Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), Dubai Miracle Garden, shopping malls, parks, spas, cruise excursions, desert safari, vibrant nightlife, etc.

Although people from different countries travelled to the UAE, most visitors between 2020 and 2021 were from Western Europe. The tourism sector in the UAE is booming even though the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted travelling worldwide. UAE is a modern and advanced country focusing on digitalization and cashless payments.

However, you can use credit cards, debit cards, and other modes of payment in the UAE. Credit facilities come with numbers charges and responsivities. Because UAE is a shopper’s paradise, credit cards are not suitable for people who can’t control their spending.

The country accepts almost all international credit cards, easing the life of travellers in big cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and others. You can use credit cards for shopping, hotel payments, restaurants payments, travelling, etc.

So now you already know that you can use credit cards in the UAE, the question is: what are the benefits of using credit cards in this part of the world. Let us answer this question by giving you specific details. Read on!

Why Use Credit Cards in UAE?

Certain purchases in the UAE are not easy to make with a debit card. For example, if you need to stay in a hotel room or rent a car for a desert safari, you have an easy time if you use a credit card. Hotels, restaurants, and rental car companies in the UAE want their customers to pay with credit cards.

The purpose is to charge customers for damages they cause to the hotel room or rented car. In addition, if you want to stay in a luxury hotel and do not want the merchant to know about the final transaction, you can use a credit card. The hotel may block out a specific amount of your credit line.

The primary is reason hotels in the UAE do this is to protect themselves from potential charges. Paying with a debit card can cause complications. For instance, the company may put a hold of several hundred Euros, dollars, or any other currency on your account.

In addition, when you are travelling in the UAE, most hotels, restaurants, and rental car companies won’t always accept your debit card, even if a reputable bank has issued it. Moreover, paying with credit cards allows you to prevent losses from fraud.

For example, when a thief uses your debit card, the money will immediately disappear from your bank account. So, this can cause significant complications. On the other hand, credit cards are safer and more reliable than debit cards. Other benefits of using credit cards in the UAE are:

Rewards

Most credit cards give you points and rewards for each dollar or euro you spend. The UAE is the most modern and advanced country that houses the top brands in world-class shopping malls.

So, you can use credit cards to receive bonus rewards in various categories, including hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, souks, and shopping malls in the UAE. Credit cards also give an opportunity to win a free trip through airline miles. It also gives you hotel points and other rewards for UAE travel expenses.

Convenience

Using a credit card allows you to purchase locally and overseas, such as in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. You can use the card in stores, hotels, restaurants, online, and by phone. However, it is crucial to have MasterCard or Visa cards to streamline the payment processes across UAE.

Another benefit of using a credit card is that you can track your spending and don’t need to carry a lot of cash. Many banks have sophisticated smartphone apps with an intuitive portal, allowing people to track their spending. Although UAE is a peaceful country, carrying a credit card can protect your travel money against thieves.

Final Words

You can use a wide range of credit cards in the UAE, including Visa and MasterCard cards. Credit cards are reliable and safer to carry than cash. Not only do they offer increased fraud protection than debit cards, but you can also track your spending and earn rewards. All this translates to increased convenience, allowing you to get the most out of your trip to the UAE. Until Next Time!