Money and Banking system
Currency
The dirham (pronounced dir-ham) is the official currency of the UAE. Dirham notes are in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 denominations. The dirham is divided into 100 fils, coins include Dh1, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils (10 and 5 fils are rarely used). The value is written in Arabic only but Arabic numerals are easy to memorize (see section on Arabic Language).
Exchange
There are no currency regulations and foreign currency of almost any denomination is readily exchanged in the UAE. The dirham is index linked to the dollar and the official exchange rate is Dh3.671 = US$ 1.00. The best exchange rates are generally available at private moneychangers found throughout the UAE, but especially in the more popular souqs and shopping centres.
The UAE Exchange Centre (associated with Western Union) has branches throughout the UAE. Thomas Cook Al Rostamani (authorized representative of Thomas Cook's financial division) has eight branches in the UAE. Al Razouki International Exchange Company has six branches in Dubai, one in Sharjah and one in Abu Dhabi.
Moneychangers
Moneychangers in Abu Dhabi are located off Liwa St near the Central souq. In Al Ain the UAE Exchange Centre is on Abu Bakr Al Siddiq St. Moneychangers are also found in the area of the Grand Mosque. Central Deira and Bur Dubai have a high concentration of exchange houses and in Sharjah moneychangers can be found on Arouba St in the Blue Souq and on Rolla Square.
Banks
There is an efficient banking network throughout the country. Banks open at 8 a.m. and close at 1.00 p.m., except on Thursdays, the start of the weekend, when they close at 12 noon. They are closed all day Friday and public holidays.
Most of Abu Dhabi's banks are located in the centre of the city: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed streets have a particularly high concentration.
Credit cards
Most internationally recognized credit cards (e.g. VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners) are accepted by car rental companies, larger shops, hotels and some restaurants, however you should carry some cash for general shopping and eating out at smaller establishments. Some small retailers, even if they do accept credit cards, may charge an additional 5 per cent for processing your payment with a credit card.
Lost credit cards
American Express
Head Office |
04 336 5000
00973 228811 |
| Diner's Club |
349 8200 |
| MasterCard International |
332 2956 |
Visa
Head Office |
800 4420/331 9690
(150)0013105813836 |
| HSBC |
800 4440 |
| Citibank |
800 4000 |
| Emirates Bank International |
800 4080 |
| Mashreq Bank |
800 4010 |
| Standard Chartered |
800 4884 / 04 3520455 |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai |
800 4474 |
| National Bank of Dubai |
800 4767/04 223 3166 |
ATM
Your ATM card is probably the most convenient method of obtaining cash and ATM's are located at many local banks, however it would be wise to check beforehand with your own bank. Check also whether there is a transaction fee for cash withdrawal from ATM machines using a foreign bankcard. Cash machines at Emirates Bank International and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank are on Global Access, Cirrus, Plus and some are on Switch.
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