How to pay in the emirates

When a person travels, he must be willing to pay for goods and services. There are countless options to choose from in the UAE. But how to pay in the emirates, what methods are common, how to save money and optimize financial resources?

In this guide, we have done the work and removed the hassle for travelers. So that when packing your bags, the tourist knows how to eliminate potential risks, with which card to go to the emirates, what documents to take.

Development of a cashless economy

Various factors have spurred the transition to cashless payments in Emirates such as Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. The UAE has a strong ecosystem for digital payments, boasting a robust payment infrastructure and active use of smartphones. Demographics also play an important role in a country's success. With an average age of just over 30, the UAE population is very digitally savvy and always open to new payment methods. Many expats live in and around Dubai. Expats are increasingly looking for alternative solutions that provide greater convenience and cost savings when transferring money.

Debit cards

The types of debit cards that the UAE uses include Maestro, Mastercard and Visa. Tourists, local residents can pay with these cards using their bank accounts. All three types of debit cards work in the same way. The client can make a payment with his card using a card machine, contactless or chip, PIN code or online. Moreover, you can use debit cards for various actions - to buy gum or a UAE penthouse, a balloon or a limousine.

Credit cards

Credit cards are similar in many ways to debit cards. First you need to understand that they have a credit limit - a number that someone can use to limit their spending. The three most popular credit card issuers are American Express, Mastercard and Visa.

Electronic wallets

Electronic wallets, an electronic service, enable users to store funds, credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards and other cards in the cloud. E-wallets can be accessed over the Internet and through apps on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and wearables. Key e-wallet features include storage of funds, credit and debit card information, digital loyalty programs, and the ability to make online and in-store payments. Peer-to-peer transfers can also be made. E-wallets are responsible for 19% of the UAE's online payment sector.

The competitive landscape of UAE e-wallets includes both foreign and domestic players. There are many e-wallet services that consumers can choose from, including established brands such as Beam and Etisalat, as well as global mobile payment options such as Google Pay or Samsung Pay. WeChat Pay (and Alipay) are currently in the early stages of expansion in the UAE market. Tencent and Alibaba Group, Chinese tech giants, have launched an e-wallet service to capture the growing Chinese travel market in the UAE.

Cryptocurrencies

When figuring out how to pay in the United Arab Emirates, it cannot even occur to many that the UAE is one of the most crypto-loyal states in the world. Almost every real estate agency in Dubai allows you to buy apartments in the best areas of the vibrant city through BTC and alternative virtual coins. Cryptocurrency market experts say that the state’s confidence in the virtual economy underlines that the country is one step ahead.

Cash

Golden classic. Of course, you can always go the old-fashioned route and pay in cash. Cash is the oldest and most widely used payment method in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and other cities. According to the survey, UAE citizens prefer cash to digital or plastic currencies. They prefer cash as it is easy to use and does not involve transaction fees.