Russian tourists traveling to UAE, it is more convenient to take cash dirhams or dollars with you, as well as bank cards of Visa and Mastercard payment systems issued by foreign banks. There are nuances regarding the operation of UnionPay in the Arab state. The domestic traveler shared the details in his blog on Yandex.Zen.
After the February events, the UAE has become one of the most popular foreign destinations for Russians looking for a vacation by the sea. However, due to Western sanctions, cards issued by Russian banks have become a common piece of plastic abroad. Consider how not to be left without money in the UAE.
We list the main points related to finances that are worth considering when traveling to an Arab country:
Which “plastic” does not work?
- Wa- firstly, bank cards of Visa and Mastercard payment systems issued by Russian banks.
- Secondly, bank cards of the domestic Mir payment system.
What Can I pay with cards?
- Bank cards of Visa and Mastercard payment systems issued by foreign banks work flawlessly in the UAE when paying in shops, hotels, restaurants and withdrawing cash from ATMs.
- Bank cards of UnionPay payment systems are valid, but there are exceptions. “It is not worth making a special card of this payment system for holidays in the Emirates. But if you already have it, you can take it as a safety net, since in 70-80% of cases it will be possible to pay with it or withdraw cash. Much depends on which bank the card was issued in,” the Russian explained.
The classic option, how not to stay on vacation in the UAE without money, is to take cash. Dollars and dirhams are suitable, although the situation with the exchange of the latter in Russia is problematic. The blogger warned that it would be difficult with rubles in the Emirates, especially if the amount of spending is small.
“For those who go shopping, it makes sense to look for thematic chats in Telegram, where they offer the exchange of the ruble for dirham at an adequate rate. But such offers should be treated with caution, as there is a risk of encountering scammers. You can exchange euros for dirhams, but the dollar exchange rate is more stable. There is another argument in favor of the dollar. In many shops in Dubai, you can pay in dollars, and you will receive change in dirhams. True, the exchange rate, most likely, will not be profitable, but you will definitely not be left without water and food, ”the traveler specified.
It is profitable to exchange dollars for dirhams at banks, but it is convenient at exchange offices. In the first case, the conversion will be most beneficial for tourists, and in the second case, it will not be necessary to make a large number of body movements, because. There are a lot of exchangers in the UAE: some take a commission as a percentage, while others charge a fixed fee. You will need a passport. Hotels are another exchange place.
“The national currency of the UAE is considered the most reliable in the world. The dirham exchange rate against the dollar has not changed since 1997, for more than 25 years and still $1 is equal to 3.67 dirhams,” the tourist concluded.
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