Tips for Using ATMs in Dubai!
Whether you are shopping in Dubai’s iconic bazaars or in the renowned Dubai Mall, haggling is a common practice in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East. However, using your credit card while bargaining can result in losing any favorable terms you may have negotiated. In such cases, having cash on hand can be useful.
Good news is, Dubai has a broad network of ATMs you can use to withdraw money. Read on to learn more.
Where to Find ATMs in Dubai
Dubai has a large number of ATMs and they can be found in various locations, including the airport, metro stations, banks, shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, and more. Dubai is a major financial hub, so many international banks also have branches and ATMs in the city. Some of these banks include Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citibank, and HSBC. Dubai Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi are local banks with extensive ATM networks.
Will My Credit or Debit Card Work in Dubai?
If your credit or debit card belongs to the Cirrus, Maestro, or Plus networks, it will most likely be accepted by ATMs in Dubai. You can check with your bank to confirm which network your card belongs to. Don’t forget to inform your bank of your travel plans as unannounced transactions can result in freezing of your card. ATMs in Dubai display the logos of the card networks they accept, and you can also locate the nearest ATM using Visa’s locator for Plus cards and Mastercard’s locator for Cirrus and Maestro cards. Most ATMs in Dubai accept both chip-and-pin and magnetic stripe cards, and most banks use four-digit PINs, except for HSBC which uses 6-digit PINs.
Fees for Card Usage
Using an ATM in Dubai is often a better option than using a currency exchange service as transactions are conducted using the mid-market rate. However, choosing to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency (Dirhams) can result in an unfavorable exchange rate using Dynamic Currency Conversion. To avoid this, always choose to be charged in the local currency. Although ATMs in Dubai do not impose withdrawal fees, your home bank may charge a withdrawal fee and a foreign currency exchange fee. These fees vary by bank, so it’s best to check in advance.
How to Avoid ATM Fees
There are several ways to avoid ATM fees while using ATMs in Dubai:
- Use a fee-free ATM: Some international banks with operations in Dubai offer free withdrawals for their customers. For instance, Citibank offers fee-free withdrawals from all its ATMs worldwide, and HSBC offers fee-free withdrawals for Advance or Premier customers. Some banks, such as Barclays and BNP Paribas, are members of the Global ATM Alliance and offer free withdrawals for members. Even if your bank is not a member of the alliance or does not have ATMs in Dubai, it may still have a partnership with another bank in Dubai that offers fee-free or reduced cost withdrawals.
- Use a fee-free card: Some banks offer cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees. Examples include US Bank Charles Schwab and UK’s Metro Bank. Debit cards usually have lower fees than credit cards, so it’s recommended to avoid making withdrawals with a credit card as it can attract high fees and interest.
- Make larger, less frequent withdrawals: Since fees are charged per transaction, making one large withdrawal instead of several smaller ones can be cheaper. Dubai
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