
UAE travellers report $4.6mn savings via dnata-Emirates NBD card in 2024
UAE travellers saved AED 17 million ($4.6 million) in 2024 through the dnata Travel and Emirates NBD co-branded credit card programme, bringing total savings to AED 209 million since its launch in 2006.
The programme, which offers up to 15 per cent back in dnata Points on purchases at dnata Travel, World Duty Free, and other outlets, saw more than 10,000 travellers benefit from the scheme last year.
Cardholders earned an additional AED5.6 million in dnata Points during the same period.
UAE travellers save big
The programme's highest redemption in 2024 came through dnata Travel's Instagram account, where a traveller used 70,000 dnata Points towards a Maldives hotel booking worth AED 120,000.
The customer paid the remaining AED 50,000 with their Emirates NBD dnata World credit card, earning an additional AED 7,500 for future use.
Air tickets emerged as the most popular redemption category, accounting for 82 per cent of dnata Point usage, followed by hotels and accommodation at 13 per cent, cruise bookings at 1 per cent, and other services at 3 per cent.
The partnership has introduced new benefits for 2025, including 0 per cent interest instalment plans on dnata Travel purchases and school fees for up to 12 months at most UAE schools.
Cardholders can now access 'buy one, get one free' cinema tickets and 20 per cent savings on food and beverages at Reel Cinemas.
Additional travel perks include zero foreign transaction fees, access to over 1,000 airport lounges through Dragonpass, and AED 2,500 worth of travel vouchers upon card activation.
Customers can redeem points on dnataTravel.com or at any of dnata Travel's 13 UAE stores, with hotel rates starting from AED 205 or 205 dnata Points per person.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sharjah 24
13 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
SEWA implements ambitious water network projects in Kalba
Among these, a water pipeline extension from Kalba to Wadi Al Helo has been completed at a cost of AED 47 million, with 98% of the project completed. Furthermore, the pipeline extension for the Jabal Deem project has been completed in 59% of its entirety, and 50% of the Transco line extension to the desalination facility has been completed. The primary pipelines, which span 2,184 meters, have been installed in various regions of Kalba. SEWA also approved 104 water project plans, issued 93 land clearance certificates, connected water services to 119 residential, governmental, industrial, commercial, and temporary properties, replaced 168 meters of old main lines, tested 133 smart meters, replaced 66 meters, and issued two well drilling permits. Significant Completed Works Engineer Yousef Al Hammadi, Director of SEWA's Kalba Department, explained that several key projects have been completed in recent months. These include extending a pipeline from the industrial area to Al Ghayl station at a cost of AED 5 million, replacing a main line in Tareef 4 for AED 1.6 million, and extending a water line to the new industrial area (Phase One) at a cost of AED 4 million. Water connections were also provided to various government and development projects. Furthermore, the Union Water and Electricity pipeline was integrated into SEWA's network in the Tareef area to be used in emergencies. Future Expansion Plans Al Hammadi added that future plans for Kalba's water projects include constructing a 20-million-gallon reservoir to meet the city's growing water needs, replacing old AC lines with GRE lines in Al Khuwair (Phase Two), and extending pipelines for new development projects announced by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, such as Al Hayar Lake and Jabal Deem's main station. Other plans include a new main line extension from the industrial area to Al Ghayl and the second phase of the water line extension to the new industrial area. 2024 Project Achievements He further noted that in 2024, SEWA accomplished numerous water distribution projects, including laying 6,897 meters of main pipelines across Kalba, approving 263 water project plans, issuing 352 land clearance certificates, connecting water services to 718 residential, governmental, industrial, commercial, and temporary properties, replacing 755 meters of old main lines, testing 351 smart meters, replacing 62 meters, and issuing four well drilling permits.


The National
14 hours ago
- The National
Dubai's biggest lender Emirates NBD to start charging for remittances to certain countries
Emirates NBD, Dubai's largest bank by assets, will start charging fees for international transfers made to certain countries through its app or online banking platform from September 1. The bank will charge a fee of Dh26.25 for remittances, including those made through DirectRemit, it said in an email to customers. DirectRemit is a platform that allows customers to transfer money via online or mobile banking in 60 seconds. However, transfers to India, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and the UK will continue to be offered free of charge to all Emirates NBD customers, a bank representative clarified in a statement. "Additionally, Emirates NBD is expanding its DirectRemit offerings to over 30 new countries ... [and] customers will no longer be charged any correspondent bank fees [in addition to the Dh26.25 fee]," the representative said. The lender will also charge a fee of up to Dh26.25 for recalling and cancelling local and international transfers, it said. The move by the lender may prompt other banks to introduce fees on remittances and may be a boon for exchange houses that offer lower charges, analysts said. 'Introducing a Dh26.25 fee from September 2025 marks a shift, and as the largest local bank sets the tone, it's possible others may follow,' Dhruv Tanna, associate vice president at DIFC-based investment and wealth management firm Phillip Capital, told The National. Some lenders such as RAKBank already impose a fee for international transfers, charging Dh15.75 for the Philippines and Dh26.25 for India, according to its website. Mashreq bank has zero fees for Pakistan and India, but charges a flat fee of Dh26.25 for the Philippines, according to its website. Others such as FAB have zero transfer fees for instant transfers to countries including India, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, the UK and the EU, according to its website. International transfers are rarely entirely free as banks recover their costs indirectly, analysts said. "While some digital channels advertise zero fees, most banks have always made money either through transfer charges or by applying a margin to the exchange rate, or both," said Ben Bolger, founder of Squirrel Education, a company that teaches school children financial independence. Opportunity for exchange houses Exchange houses with more competitive fees are likely to benefit as banks impose charges on international transfers. 'For exchange houses, this presents a renewed opportunity to attract price-sensitive customers with lower transfer fees and competitive rates," Mr Tanna said. "Still, many mid-to high-income customers may continue to choose banks for the convenience, even with a nominal charge." Mr Bolger said that as banks adjust their terms, consumers could reconsider their options. "Exchange houses, which tend to offer more competitive rates and transparent pricing, may become increasingly attractive, despite the convenience of transferring money directly through your bank," Mr Bolger said. Emirates NBD's move to charge fees for remittances may prompt other lenders to follow suit, but it also "opens the door wider" for exchange houses and digital apps offering zero fees and better value, Jay Adrian Tolentino, a UAE-based financial coach, said. This will particularly benefit expats sending money to their home countries on a regular basis, he added. Based on World Bank data, remittances to low- and middle-income countries are expected grow by 2.3 per cent in 2024 and 2.8 per cent in 2025, reaching $690 billion in 2025.


Filipino Times
14 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Emirates NBD clarifies: Money transfer to Philippines remains free
Emirates NBD has assured customers that money transfers to the Philippines remain free of charge, following recent announcements about a new fee imposed on international remittances. In a statement sent to the media, the bank clarified that the AED 26.25 charge only applies to select non-core countries, and does not affect key remittance corridors, including the Philippines. 'To clarify: Emirates NBD will not be charging Dh26 for remittances to key corridors such as India, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines. These corridors will remain free of charge for our customers. The Dh26 fee applies only to non-core corridors, in line with Central Bank regulations,' the bank stated. This comes after customers reportedly received notifications about the update, which included transactions made through DirectRemit, used to send money to the Philippines. To further assure its customers, the bank reiterated its stance in a recent post: 'With DirectRemit, you can transfer money to India, Pakistan, Philippines, UK, Egypt and Sri Lanka using Online or Mobile Banking in 60 seconds for free, 24/7.'