A credit card is definitely required when traveling to Dubai. We will explain exactly where you need them here. If you don’t have one, you may have problems checking in at the hotel.
Normally you do not need a credit card for a package tour such as to the Canary Islands or the Turkish Riviera. You show the voucher there in the hotel and then the holiday can begin. Now you are probably wondering whether you need a credit card for a trip to Dubai. The answer is definitely “YES” and you will need it, for example, in the hotel or when picking up a rental car. But there are still many tourists who have poorly prepared for a trip and then have problems on the spot in the hotel. So that this does not happen, we will explain where you need them and where not.
© Rose Rayhaan by Rotana
The first contact where you need the credit card in Dubai is certainly in the hotel. You usually have to pay a deposit there and the easiest way to do this is to use a credit card. This means that a certain amount is blocked on the card and that can be as much as 5,000 dirhams. However, this always depends on which category you have booked. If you stay in a five-star luxury hotel then, of course, you have to pay more than in a three-star tourist hotel. However, the employee at the hotel always informs you in advance of the amount that will then be charged to the card.
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Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa | Room
You have to know that this is for the security of the hotel. It can be that you cause some damage in the hotel room and these always have high-quality equipment. The hotel can then debit the amount there in the event of damage. When you check out, the amount will be deleted again if you have not caused any damage. So there can always be a larger sum for the hotel guests and you should know that. Paying the amount in cash is usually not so readily accepted.
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There are also many tourists who rent a car on their Dubai vacation. Usually, you show the voucher for the car there. However, the rental car companies in Dubai always ask for a deposit. Furthermore, this always depends on which category you have booked there. If you booked a limousine there then you have to pay more than you can imagine. The employee will then also charge a certain amount on the credit card. In the Emirate of Dubai, there are toll roads everywhere where you have to pay a toll. So the credit card is very useful there and these fees are then simply debited there by the rental car company. Normally cash is no longer accepted there and everything is only done via the card. So you should definitely have one if you want to rent a car.
IBN Battuta Mall Persian Court
Of course, it is also possible to pay by credit card in a shop in Dubai. That’s no problem at all and it’s usually offered everywhere there. As a rule, the credit card company still charges an amount for this, and then there is the exchange rate.
Of course, you will also need cash on-site in Dubai and that in dirham currency. It is also possible to get this there with a credit card. This is quick to do and also very practical. But there you have the same problem with the fees. You always have to know that these can be very high and then you will probably be annoyed when you get home. We recommend using this option only if you urgently need cash. Otherwise, always prefer to use the classic way in an exchange office. For many, this is certainly old-fashioned, but it is still the best and cheapest way to save money. If the exchange rate is good locally then it will definitely be worth it. You can also watch it constantly and if it is good you should have money exchanged.
There are of course many advantages to using a credit card. You always have this with you and can immediately pay for anything you want. This is very convenient and you don’t have to worry about it. However, the disadvantage is always the fees that are incurred when you are abroad. Then the credit card company would like to earn something from it and sometimes the fees incurred there are very high. So there are always a few euros extra when you have bought something and you should always take that into account.
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Basically, there is no need to worry about security. But like anywhere in the world, one should always be extra careful when in a foreign country. If you notice problems with your credit card, you should have it blocked as soon as possible so that no more is debited there. This is usually possible anywhere in the world and you have to call a specific number. But as already mentioned, we recommend paying with cash and there you will not have any problems with security.
