Our guide to saving money in the UAE
Finding good discount deals in the UAE can make a real difference to how often you eat out, see a show or take the family for a day out, and with a little planning the savings add up quickly. We use these programmes ourselves, and this guide brings together what we’ve learned about choosing the right discount app, timing your plans around the big sales seasons and enjoying the city without overspending.
How discount programmes work here
Most savings in the UAE come through four types of programme. Buy-one-get-one apps, such as The Entertainer, give you two-for-one or percentage offers at restaurants, attractions, spas and hotels. Loyalty programmes, such as U By Emaar and SHARE, let you earn points or rewards when you spend with a group of brands and then redeem them on future visits. Membership cards, such as Fazaa, are linked to eligibility, for example employment in certain sectors or family membership schemes, and offer discounts across many categories. Finally, banks and credit cards often run their own dining, cinema and travel offers. Each partner section above explains exactly how that programme works and where you can use it.
Choosing the right one for you
The best programme depends on how you actually spend your free time. If you eat out a lot, a buy-one-get-one app can pay for itself quickly. If you regularly visit one group’s malls, cinemas or attractions, its loyalty scheme might be the better choice. Families with children often get the most from programmes with strong attraction and leisure offers. Before you sign up, we suggest listing the places you visited in the last month and checking which programme covers them. It’s also worth checking whether you already have access through your employer, bank or school, as many people do without realising it.
Timing your plans around the big seasons
Dubai has two famous retail seasons. Dubai Shopping Festival usually runs from December into January, with sales, raffles, concerts and fireworks across the city, and Dubai Summer Surprises brings offers and family entertainment through the summer months. The summer is also when many hotels, attractions and restaurants launch their best resident deals, because it’s quieter for tourism. Ramadan and Eid bring special menus and promotions too, and the end of the year often sees offers across retail and leisure. We list the festivals and events that go with these seasons on what’s on.
Resident rates and staycations
If you live in the UAE, it often pays to ask for resident rates. Many attractions, hotels, beach clubs and spas offer reduced prices for Emirates ID holders, especially in the summer. Staycation packages that combine a room, breakfast and resort credit can be excellent value outside peak season. Our attractions guide and things to do in Dubai page are good places to look for ideas you can pair with an offer. Some attractions also sell annual passes, which can work out cheaper than individual tickets if you plan to visit more than twice, and many theme parks and water parks run special offers for residents during the summer.
Everyday ways to spend less
- Eat out at lunch. Business lunch menus are common in Dubai and are usually much cheaper than the same restaurant at dinner.
- Go midweek. Attractions, spas and restaurants often have better offers from Monday to Thursday.
- Book early. Early-bird tickets for concerts, festivals and shows can be significantly cheaper.
- Look for free days out. Public beaches, parks, the Dubai Fountain, heritage districts and many galleries cost nothing to enjoy.
- Use your loyalty points. Points earned with mall groups and cinema chains can often be redeemed against tickets, snacks and days out.
- Follow venues you love. Restaurants and bars often post their best deals on social media first.
Read the small print
Most offers come with conditions, so it’s always worth reading them before you go. Common rules include one offer per table or booking, blackout dates around public holidays, minimum spends and exclusions on certain menus or drinks. Some offers need to be booked in advance and others can’t be combined with any other discount. Check that your membership or app subscription is active, and if anything is unclear, ask the venue when you book rather than at the end of the meal. Keep a screenshot of the offer and your booking confirmation, as it makes any questions at the till much quicker to resolve. And remember that a deal only saves money if it’s something you would have done anyway.
Making it part of your routine
The easiest way to save is to plan with your offers in mind. When you’re choosing a weekend activity or a dinner spot, check your apps first, then see what’s on. Our dinner and brunch guide and kids’ events page are useful starting points, and our weekly picks highlight good value where we find it. A little preparation means more days out for the same budget, which is what this page is all about.
Run a venue, attraction or membership programme with an offer worth sharing? Use the partner section above, or submit an event if you have something coming up.