United Arab Emirates, adjacent to the Persian Gulf, has always been a hotspot for overseas travelling and shopping in recent years. Relying on the abundant petroleum resources, the country has seen a rapid economic development in recent years, with its pillar industries transforming to commerce, financial industry and service industry. The country often hosts some international exhibitions and world-class competitions including golf, tennis and horse races. Besides, it is the home to many of the most luxurious hotels in the world (including the Burj al Arab, Atlantis Hotel, Emirates Palace and Canal Hotel), along with golf courses, racecourses and numerous world-class shopping malls (such as Burj Dubai and Emirates Mall). Under the promotion of the royal family, United Arab Emirates is endeavoring to build Dubai into the largest luxurious tourist center in the world. As the world‘s largest artificial island, the Palm Island is built on a manually-filling sea area. The newly opened Atlantis Hotel has also become a new global tourism highlight. In UAE, tourists can fully enjoy the unique Arabian culture and exotic sceneries of “half an ocean, half a desert”.
Return
Opening Time of UnionPay Business: April 2009
Local UnionPay Service Hotline: Still under application. In case of any doubt, please dial 95516 for inquiry
Pay by Credit Card on POS Machines
Range of Application
In United Arab Emirates, all merchants with “UnionPay” logo can accept UnionPay cards. Besides, part of the merchants may not post up “UnionPay” logo. In that case, cardholders can present their UnionPay cards and inquire the cashier whether the cards can be used.
Features of Merchants
There are numerous world-class shopping arcades in United Arab Emirates, especially in Dubai. They sell luxuries, premium brands and various famous brands, covering clothing, shoes and hats, jewelries, clocks and watches, cosmetics and handicrafts. Due to tax exemption policies, the prices of commodities are very attractive and merchants often provide various discounts and promotions. Therefore, tourists can fully enjoy the fun of shopping here. UnionPay will gradually open more merchants at shopping malls and tourist attractions, so as to provide payment convenience to UnionPay cardholders.
Types of Cards Accepted and Relevant Operations
At present, only the UnionPay cards with the initial number of 6 and 9 are accepted.
Tips: When cardholders use dual-logo cards in United Arab Emirates, payment cannot currently be made through UnionPay network. It is suggested that cardholders bring and use UnionPay RMB credit cards (with only UnionPay logo) or debit card with the initial number of 6 or 9, in order to enjoy all the discounts provided by the UnionPay network. Since credit cards have certain limits for consumption, while debit card consumption is only limited by the account balance (except that the consumption limits is individually set), so it is better for cardholders to use UnionPay debit cards for consumptions of large sums (such as luxuries).
Relevant Charges
In general, cardholders do not have to pay procedure fee when making purchase through UnionPay cards at merchants.
Compared with the networks of other bank cards, 1% to 2% of currency conversion fee is exempted when using UnionPay network for consumption. The consumed sum of local currency will be directly converted into RMB at the market exchange rate and will be booked into the RMB account of the cardholder by the issuing bank.
Money Withdrawal from ATM
Range of Application
At present, ATMs of Mashreq, Citibank and Standard Chartered bank within United Arab Emirates can accept UnionPay cards to withdraw local currency or US dollars.
Account transfers over the counter and cash withdrawal are not allowed for UnionPay cards in foreign countries.
Types of Cards Accepted
Bank cards with UnionPay logo.
Tips: Since withdrawing cash with credit cards needs to pay overdraft interests, it is better for cardholders to use UnionPay debit cards when withdrawing cash overseas.
How to Identify ATMs Which Accept UnionPay Cards
ATMs with UnionPay logo on the machine or the screen can accept UnionPay cards.
|
|
|
UnionPay Logo
|
Chinese-English Interface
Most ATMs are installed with both Chinese and English interfaces and cardholders can choose from the two languages.
Withdrawal Operation
Most ATMs will first send out cashes and then exit cards. Cardholders shall follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
Charges and Withdrawal Limits
According to the provisions of the state’s supervisory authority, when withdrawing cash with UnionPay cards on ATMs overseas, the accumulated withdrawal per card each day of UnionPay debit cards shall not exceed the equivalent foreign currency of RMB 10,000 Yuan. As for the daily withdrawal limit of UnionPay credit cards, please inquire respective issuing bank.
Issuing banks will charge certain procedure fees for overseas cash withdrawal. Please inquire the issuing bank for specific rates, withdrawal frequency in a single day, withdrawal limit each time and accumulated withdrawal limit.
Compared with the networks of other bank cards, 1% to 2% of currency conversion fee is exempted when using UnionPay network for consumption. The consumed sum of local currency will be directly converted into RMB at the market exchange rate and will be timely booked into the RMB account of the cardholder by the issuing bank.
Searching for ATM Locations
ATMS of Mashreq within United Arab Emirates can accept UnionPay cards and the locations of ATMs can be inquired on the following website:
http://www.mashreqbank.com/locations/atm-locations/overview.asp
Citibank ATM Inquiry Website: http://www.citibank.com/locations/
Standard Chartered bank ATM Inquiry Website: http://www.standardchartered.ae/home/en/locator.html
Return
