Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum once said: “I want Dubai to be a place where everybody from all over the world meets each other, don’t think of fighting or hate, just love it, enjoy their sport, and that’s it.”
Well, this isn’t just a wish but the current reality in Dubai.
When you get to this mega city, you’ll come across shiny malls, exciting parks, and amazing beaches. However, before you go out to enjoy these great destinations, understanding how to pay for products and services is important. Fortunately, there are many ways you can make payments during your trip to The City of Gold, and we’ll run you through them in this article.
How to Pay for Shopping and Leisure Activities in Dubai: Top Payment Methods
1. Cash
Cash is simply money that takes the form of coins or paper. The currency used in Dubai is called Dirhams (AED). If you’re just coming into the Emirate, you can exchange the currency you’re with for Dirhams at the exchangers in the airport or banks.
When you go shopping in traditional markets, also known as souks in Dubai, you can buy things using cash. It’s super easy to make cash payments in Dubai. All you’ve got to do is select the item you want to buy and hand over cash to pay for it. Once you do this, you’ll receive the product alongside any change you might have.
But there’s a kicker. While you can use cash at local markets and stores, malls and hotels usually prefer that you make payments digitally or via a card. Why? These transactions are quicker and easier to track. Nonetheless, we recommend keeping some cash in your pocket; you’d need it when you’re boarding taxis or visiting stalls that frown at digital payments.
2. Credit and Debit Cards
Most people in Dubai (tourists and residents alike) use cards to make payments. Cards take the form of a rectangular plastic that fields your name and specific numbers (card number and CVV). These cards are connected to your bank account and can be used to make payments at malls, hotels, and restaurants.
However, note that debit and credit cards work in different ways. Debit cards take money out from your bank account. On the other hand, credit cards let you make payment using money that’s not yours but from your financial institution; you’ll pay back what you’ve accrued on a monthly or yearly basis, depending on your credit card provider.
At businesses scattered across Dubai, you can use your debit/credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express to make payments. And since we’re in the jet age, even small stores have card machines. You can use your card by slotting it into a machine or tapping it against one (AKA contactless payments). Payments via cards are instant, and you’d rarely need to worry about failed transactions.
With just your card, you can buy clothes, movie tickets, and food without hassles. And if you’re looking for a medium that offers the combo of entertainment and rewards, you can use these cards to fund your account and play games of chance at casinos.
From current data, the major cards used for online gambling in Dubai include MasterCard and Visa. To start playing at casinos accepting Visa, players should visit review sites to discover the best visa casinos in Dubai.
These platforms don’t just allow you to deposit and withdraw using debit/credit cards; they’ve got many immersive games that can steer you towards six to seven-figure winnings in one spin or session.
3. Mobile Wallets
Not everyone fancies carrying wads of cash and cards in their wallets when they go to fancy malls like the Ibn Batuta Mall or Wafi Mall to buy groceries and other items.
Thankfully, when you’re in Dubai, you can make payment using your smartphone. This is possible via mobile wallets; these are basically apps that store your banking information on your device.
Popular mobile wallets people use in Dubai include:
- Apple Pay (iOS devices)
- Google Pay (Android devices)
- Samsung Pay (Samsung devices)
Mobile wallets don’t require a learning curve. All you’ve got to do is whip out your phone, launch the mobile wallet’s application, and place your device close to the card reader in the store or hotel you intend patronizing. Once you do this, you’ll hear a beep confirming that your payment has been completed. Many people in Dubai use mobile wallets because they’re easier to use and aren’t like cards you can easily misplace.
DID YOU KNOW: According to a report, the digital wallet user base is projected to hit a staggering 5.2 billion in 2026. With this massive adoption rate, it’s no surprise that mobile wallets have become a recognized mode of payment in Dubai and other hotspots around the world.
4. Cryptocurrencies
Erik Voorhees once said “Cryptocurrency is freedom of money.”
This assertion is valid; little wonder nations around the world are adopting these digital assets. This includes the UAE that Dubai is a part of.
In highbrow areas of the city, you’ll find numerous businesses (i.e., luxury hotels, restaurants, and dealerships) that accept cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and Ethereum as a valid means of payment. However, note that most small stores within the megacity don’t accept cryptocurrency. So, it’ll be best to have other payment methods handy.
Final Thoughts
In Dubai, you can pay for your shopping and leisure with payment channels that are convenient for you. This includes cash, debit/credit cards, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrencies.
Dubai is a city that was built with ease in mind. So, it doesn’t matter whether you want to pay for a spa treatment, book a hotel, or buy fancy clothes, you can do that using a payment method that suits your needs. Godspeed!
