Are you a tourist or visitor (or even a resident) in Dubai and UAE with an international credit card?

Related: Don’t forget these online promo codes when shopping in UAE/GCC

  • NowNow UAE: “N20″/”FUN49”/“FUN86” – 10% off NowNow for Groceries/Snacks at Waitrose, Choithrams, Spinneys, Organic Foods & Cafe, Al Maya, WMart, Paul Bakery, Marks & Spencer Food, Aster Pharmacy.🤩
  • Carrefour UAE & Carrefour KSA: “OFF15“/“ON38” – AED 20 off AED 200+ Carrefour Promo Code. 🤗
  • Noon.com UAE: “POINTSHABIBI” for 10% off existing customers. Max AED 50. 15% off for new customers.
  • Bath & Body Works: “O3073” – 5% off Bath & Body Works Promo Code.
  • NAMSHI: “DD47“/”NM134“/”FUN227” – 15-20% off Namshi Promo Code.
  • Victoria’s Secret UAE and KSA: “YMUY” – 10% off all orders, including sale items.
  • Mumzworld: “FZ560” – 10% off Mumzworld Promo Code. 🤱🏻
  • H&M UAE / GCC / Egypt: “E0160” – 10% off H&M Promo Code. 👗
  • Boots UAE, KSA, Kuwait: “F6601” – 5% off Boots Promo Code.
  • Mothercare: “EXN9K” – 10% off Mothercare Promo Code.
  • Pottery Barn UAE, Kuwait, KSA: “GPBX6F” – 15% off all orders.
  • Pottery Barn Kids UAE, Kuwait, KSA: “DPK5112” – 15% off all orders.
  • West Elm UAE: “A1JK” – 15% off everything with this West Elm Promo Code.
  • American Eagle UAE, Egypt, KSA, Kuwait: “PW2L” – 10% off American Eagle.
  • Desert Cart: “DCM180” – 10% off all DesertCart.ae orders.
  • DragonMart UAE: “DM18” – 20% off everything at Dragon Mart.
  • Toys R Us UAE: “TRU59” – 10% off Toys R Us MENA Promo Code.
  • FirstCry UAE: “AFE1” / “AFE2” – 10% off FirstCry Promo Code.
  • Hibobi: “FF42” – 10% of all Hibobi orders.
  • Mamas & Papas: “M106” – 5% off Mamas & Papas Promo Code. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
  • SIVVI UAE & KSA: “si15” – 35%-50% off all orders. 🥳
  • RIVA Fashion UAE: “YAY154” – 10% off Riva Fashion Promo Code.
  • Styli UAE and KSA: “BJJ” – 15% off Styli Promo Code.
  • KUL.com: “AA185” – 10% off all KUL orders.
  • Noon Egypt – “FRI9” / “FRI10” – 10% off Noon Promo Code.
  • 1Zillion KSA: “Z139” – 10% off 1Zillion Promo Code.
  • BioBox UAE: “dcm21389” – 10% off BioBox Promo Code.
  • Eyewa: “DCM14” – 10% off Eyewa Promo Code. 👀
  • Vogacloset: “EHZ” – 15% off Vogacloset Promo Code.
  • ACE Hardware: “ACH92” – 10% off ACE Promo Code.
  • KIABI UAE: “KAB52” – 10% off Kiabi Promo Code.
  • Chicy UAE/KSA/Kuwait/Oman: “CH67” – 10% off Chicy Promo Code
  • Muji UAE / KSA / Kuwait / Bahrain: “A9333” – 12% off Muji Promo Code.
  • Joboy UAE: “POINTSHABIBI” – Use this sign-up / referral code to get 30% off on Sanitization / Deep Cleaning / Sofa & Carpet Cleaning / AC Maintenance, and 20% off Salon Services.
  • Noon Daily KSA: “NND31” – 10% Noon Daily Promo Code

It’s generally a good idea to use your international credit card in Dubai and UAE but here are the 10 things to consider before you swipe that card:

1. Foreign Transaction Fees

Does your international credit card charge you a “foreign transaction fee” like 3%? If yes, factor that in your purchase price or don’t use it.

2. Cashback and Rewards

Does your international credit card offer good cashback and points? Then it makes even more sense to use it.

3. Inform Card Issuer of Upcoming Travel

Have you informed your credit card issuer about your upcoming travel? If not, your purchases may be denied in a foreign country.

4. Card Type – Visa or Mastercard or American Express?

Is your international credit card a Visa, MasterCard or an American Express (AMEX) card? Almost all stores accept Visa/MasterCard, but AMEX acceptance is on the lower side. (The Points Habibi has created a American Express (AMEX): A Comprehensive Guide of where AMEX is and is not accepted in Dubai and UAE)

5. Dynamic Currency Conversion (costs more)

When swiping your card in Dubai and UAE (or even any other country), the merchant might ask you if you want to charge in the local currency UAE Dirham or your home currency? Always, and I repeat always, select the local currency, in this case UAE Dirham. If you select your home currency for convenience, you will be charged more. This is due to a concept called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) where all banks involved charge a fee to convert that amount to an amount easier for you to process in your mind. You can read more about tips to avoid DCC at The Points Guy.

6. Online Purchases

If you’re doing an online credit card purchase in Dubai and UAE, some online merchants only accept a UAE or GCC issued credit card.

7. Funds in your home country

Do you have a bank account in your home country which has enough funds to pay off the international credit card for your international purchases? If not, you would have to do an international wire to add funds to the account to pay off the card, which would make you eventually lose money in the process.

8. Minimum amount for card purchases

Even though credit cards are accepted everywhere, some stores also have a minimum amount for the credit card purchase.

9. Carry Cash

In general, it’s a good idea to carry local currency in cash. Don’t exchange at your home airport. Exchange currency in your destination country preferably outside the airport (but depending on your schedule, you’d rather have exchanged somewhere and have local currency handy).

10. Interest on your Purchases

In general, it is a thumb rule to avoid paying interest on your credit card purchases. The interest voids all your convenience and cashback with a higher amount. Always pay off your balances in full, and avoid debt.

Have you used your international credit card in Dubai? What is your experience?

Don’t forget the other promo codes if you’re shopping online:

  • NowNow UAE: “N20″/”FUN49”/“FUN86” – 10% off NowNow for Groceries/Snacks at Waitrose, Choithrams, Spinneys, Organic Foods & Cafe, Al Maya, WMart, Paul Bakery, Marks & Spencer Food, Aster Pharmacy.🤩
  • Carrefour UAE & Carrefour KSA: “OFF15“/“ON38” – AED 20 off AED 200+ Carrefour Promo Code. 🤗
  • Noon.com UAE: “POINTSHABIBI” for 10% off existing customers. Max AED 50. 15% off for new customers.
  • Bath & Body Works: “O3073” – 5% off Bath & Body Works Promo Code.
  • NAMSHI: “DD47“/”NM134“/”FUN227” – 15-20% off Namshi Promo Code.
  • Victoria’s Secret UAE and KSA: “YMUY” – 10% off all orders, including sale items.
  • Mumzworld: “FZ560” – 10% off Mumzworld Promo Code. 🤱🏻
  • H&M UAE / GCC / Egypt: “E0160” – 10% off H&M Promo Code. 👗
  • Boots UAE, KSA, Kuwait: “F6601” – 5% off Boots Promo Code.
  • Mothercare: “EXN9K” – 10% off Mothercare Promo Code.
  • Pottery Barn UAE, Kuwait, KSA: “GPBX6F” – 15% off all orders.
  • Pottery Barn Kids UAE, Kuwait, KSA: “DPK5112” – 15% off all orders.
  • West Elm UAE: “A1JK” – 15% off everything with this West Elm Promo Code.
  • American Eagle UAE, Egypt, KSA, Kuwait: “PW2L” – 10% off American Eagle.
  • Desert Cart: “DCM180” – 10% off all DesertCart.ae orders.
  • DragonMart UAE: “DM18” – 20% off everything at Dragon Mart.
  • Toys R Us UAE: “TRU59” – 10% off Toys R Us MENA Promo Code.
  • FirstCry UAE: “AFE1” / “AFE2” – 10% off FirstCry Promo Code.
  • Hibobi: “FF42” – 10% of all Hibobi orders.
  • Mamas & Papas: “M106” – 5% off Mamas & Papas Promo Code. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
  • SIVVI UAE & KSA: “si15” – 35%-50% off all orders. 🥳
  • RIVA Fashion UAE: “YAY154” – 10% off Riva Fashion Promo Code.
  • Styli UAE and KSA: “BJJ” – 15% off Styli Promo Code.
  • KUL.com: “AA185” – 10% off all KUL orders.
  • Noon Egypt – “FRI9” / “FRI10” – 10% off Noon Promo Code.
  • 1Zillion KSA: “Z139” – 10% off 1Zillion Promo Code.
  • BioBox UAE: “dcm21389” – 10% off BioBox Promo Code.
  • Eyewa: “DCM14” – 10% off Eyewa Promo Code. 👀
  • Vogacloset: “EHZ” – 15% off Vogacloset Promo Code.
  • ACE Hardware: “ACH92” – 10% off ACE Promo Code.
  • KIABI UAE: “KAB52” – 10% off Kiabi Promo Code.
  • Chicy UAE/KSA/Kuwait/Oman: “CH67” – 10% off Chicy Promo Code
  • Muji UAE / KSA / Kuwait / Bahrain: “A9333” – 12% off Muji Promo Code.
  • Joboy UAE: “POINTSHABIBI” – Use this sign-up / referral code to get 30% off on Sanitization / Deep Cleaning / Sofa & Carpet Cleaning / AC Maintenance, and 20% off Salon Services.
  • Noon Daily KSA: “NND31” – 10% Noon Daily Promo Code