Landing in the UAE comes with more than just a warm welcome and sunny skies. Whether you’re a solo explorer, a family on vacation, or a business traveler extending your trip, your journey begins with instant perks. Tourists flying into Dubai or Abu Dhabi can access a wide array of exclusive benefits—free SIM cards, discount cards, transport upgrades, and hundreds of offers at top attractions—all for simply arriving in the Emirates.

Welcome to Dubai: Start with a Free SIM Card

One of the first surprises awaiting tourists at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a complimentary Tourism SIM card courtesy of du, one of the UAE’s major telecom providers. This SIM, available upon clearing immigration, offers 1GB of data valid for 24 hours, helping new arrivals navigate maps, make bookings, or connect with loved ones back home immediately.

Eligibility includes those arriving on visit visas, transit visas, or with visa-on-arrival, as well as GCC nationals. Tourists can upgrade their plan at du kiosks located at the airport or through Dubai Duty Free counters. Alternatives are also available from other major telecom providers, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile, which offer prepaid SIMs with competitive packages designed specifically for tourists, often bundled with international minutes and longer data validity.

This small but essential service ensures that visitors stay connected, which is especially useful for ride-hailing apps, translation tools, and ticketing platforms widely used across the UAE.

ALSAADA Card: Dubai’s Digital Welcome Kit for Tourists

With the SIM card in hand, visitors gain access to another benefit—a digital ALSAADA Tourist Card, Dubai’s official tourist discount programme run by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD).

To activate this card, tourists simply scan the QR code printed on the SIM card envelope, which directs them to download the ALSAADA mobile app, available on both Android and iOS. After a quick registration process, users can start exploring discounts and promotions available across restaurants, retail stores, wellness centers, leisure attractions, and shopping malls.

Unlike traditional paper coupons, the ALSAADA card is digital and updates in real-time, making it a handy tool for tourists wanting to make the most of their budget without carrying around brochures or discount books.

Chauffeur On Demand: Hire a Driver by the Hour

Exploring Dubai in comfort and style is easier than ever with the Hourly Rental limousine service offered by the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). This service allows tourists to book a professional chauffeur to drive them around the city in a private vehicle—ideal for sightseeing, business meetings, or shopping tours.

Surprisingly cost-effective, this service starts at AED 400 for two hours and goes up to AED 1,100 for ten hours, with packages tailored to fit a variety of travel needs. Unlike regular taxis, the limousine option does not include waiting time charges, and you only pay extra if you exceed the allotted hours or distance.

Booking is simple via the “DTC” app, which offers real-time scheduling and payment options. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Two hours: AED 400

• Four hours: AED 650

• Six hours: AED 800

• Eight hours: AED 900

• Ten hours: AED 1,100

• After package expiry: AED 3/km and AED 1/minute

This service is perfect for tourists planning to visit multiple locations in a single day, offering flexibility, comfort, and the prestige of private transport.

Show Your Boarding Pass, Get a World of Discounts

Perhaps the most surprising benefit of visiting the UAE is how your boarding pass becomes a ticket to savings. Two of the UAE’s flagship airlines, Emirates and Etihad Airways, offer special promotions for passengers who retain their boarding passes.

Emirates: “My Emirates Pass”

Emirates passengers can benefit from the My Emirates Pass, a seasonal discount programme that turns your boarding pass into an access card for offers at over 500 locations. Deals span across:

• Attractions like At The Top – Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, and Museum of the Future

• Amusement parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure and Aquaventure at Atlantis

• Retail outlets and luxury brands at malls like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates

• Fine dining restaurants, cafés, and spas

Offers are available to those who present a valid physical or digital boarding pass, along with ID, and are usually valid for up to a month from the date of arrival (subject to seasonal dates—check Emirates’ official site for the latest validity periods).

Etihad Airways: “Abu Dhabi Pass”

Etihad passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi can access the Abu Dhabi Pass, offering similar benefits across the capital’s top destinations. Exclusive discounts are available at:

• Yas Island attractions, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld

• Luxury hotels and spas, especially in Saadiyat Island and Corniche areas

• Dining establishments, from gourmet to family-friendly

These perks not only save tourists money but also encourage them to explore both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, enriching their travel experience.

The Bigger Picture: UAE’s Tourism-First Strategy

These offers are part of the UAE’s larger initiative to position itself as one of the most tourist-friendly destinations globally. With streamlined airport experiences, high-speed public transit, visa-on-arrival for over 80 nationalities, and now, digital discount programmes, the UAE is creating an ecosystem that values accessibility, affordability, and convenience for its international visitors.

For tourists, the message is clear: don’t throw away your boarding pass, and be sure to scan everything you receive at the airport. From that moment, the UAE starts paying you back for visiting.

Tip: Before arriving, check the official websites of Visit Dubai, Etihad, or Emirates, as offers and promotions may be seasonal or time-limited.

In a festive gesture to celebrate India's Independence Day, Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has launched an exclusive discount campaign for passengers booking from India. Operating from its hub at Zayed International Airport, Etihad is offering a generous 30 percent discount on Economy class tickets to a wide array of popular destinations across Europe and the United States.

Travellers booking now can secure flights at significantly reduced rates to iconic cities such as Chicago (Dh3,273), Toronto (Dh3,599), Washington DC (Dh3,149), Barcelona (Dh2,036), and Dublin (Dh2,149). The offer also extends to flights headed to Brussels, Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, New York, Rome, Atlanta, Madrid, Boston, Paris, Munich, and Frankfurt, making it easier than ever for Indian passengers to explore these global hubs.

The special fares are available for booking up until August 15, with a travel window stretching from September 2025 through March 2026. This promotion follows on the heels of Etihad’s recent start-of-summer campaign, which included discounts of up to 25% on both business and economy class tickets.
As the 2025 summer travel season approaches its end, airlines based in the UAE, neighboring regions, and India have launched a series of competitive fare offers, heating up the market for travelers seeking value deals.

In other exciting news, Etihad recently inaugurated commercial operations of its new Airbus A321LR, with Flight EY414 marking the first journey from Zayed International Airport to the beautiful island destination of Phuket. The addition of the A321LR to its fleet underscores Etihad’s commitment to delivering premium cabin experiences on short and medium-haul flights, mirroring the attention to detail and service excellence featured on its acclaimed widebody aircraft.

With these strategic offers and fleet enhancements, Etihad Airways continues to strengthen its position as a preferred carrier for Indian travelers seeking quality and affordability on international flights.

In celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day, Air India Express has unveiled an exciting “Freedom Sale,” offering attractive discounted airfares for both domestic and international travelers. Starting as low as Rs 1,279 (Dh 53.50) for domestic routes and Rs 4,279 (Dh 179) for international flights, this special promotion aims to make travel more accessible for millions.

The budget airline is putting five million seats on sale, covering a wide network that includes key UAE destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, connecting them seamlessly to cities across India. This initiative is perfectly timed for the over 3.7 million Indian expatriates residing in the UAE, as well as tourists traveling between the UAE and India.

With an impressive fleet of 116 aircraft, Air India Express operates over 500 flights daily and offers service to 38 domestic and 17 international destinations, strengthening its position as a preferred carrier in the region.
The exclusive sale opened on the airline’s website and app on August 10 and will remain available through all major booking channels until August 15, 2025.

Travelers can plan their trips between August 19, 2025, and March 31, 2026—covering major festive seasons such as Onam, Durga Puja, Deepawali, and Christmas.

The airline’s “Xpress Value” fare class, which includes a standard check-in baggage allowance, is priced from Rs 1,379 for domestic and Rs 4,479 for international flights. Special concessions are also being extended to students, senior citizens, armed forces personnel, and their dependents.

This “Freedom Sale” presents an ideal opportunity for travelers looking to explore India and beyond while enjoying substantial savings.

Manama, Bahrain – Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced a limited-time promotion offering travelers discounts of up to 15% on flights to more than 28 destinations worldwide. The offer, valid for bookings made until 13 August 2025, includes 15% off Economy Class fares and 10% off Falcon Gold (Business Class) fares.

The discounted rates apply to a variety of international and regional cities on Gulf Air’s network, including Casablanca, Milan, Singapore, London, Paris, Bangkok, Dubai, Riyadh, and Muscat, along with other hubs such as Frankfurt, Rome, Kuala Lumpur, Athens, and Zurich.

Gulf Air said the promotion is aimed at encouraging both leisure and corporate travel, highlighting its signature Arabian hospitality and service standards. Falcon Gold passengers benefit from lounge access, gourmet dining, and spacious seating, while Economy Class travelers enjoy enhanced comfort and attentive service.

Click here to view fares, book your flight, and avail this limited-time offer

Seats under the promotion are limited, and the airline is urging travelers to book early to secure the best fares. The offer is part of Gulf Air’s wider effort to provide value-driven travel options while reinforcing its reputation for quality service.

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has launched its biggest-ever global sale, offering travelers a 25% discount on both Business and Economy Class tickets across its entire international network.

The limited-time sale, valid until September 5, 2024, provides an opportunity to explore a wide array of destinations—from Europe, the Far East, and the Indian Subcontinent—starting at fares as low as OMR31 ($80).

This special promotion covers both one-way and return journeys, with the travel period set between September 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Passengers can experience Oman Air’s renowned hospitality and award-winning service while enjoying convenient connections through its Muscat hub.

Key destinations on sale include popular cities such as Dubai, Kochi, Bangkok, London, Cairo, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Jeddah, and Phuket.

It’s important to note that the offer is exclusive to international tickets and does not apply to domestic flights, interline flights, or codeshare partners. Tickets can be purchased via the Oman Air website, mobile app, call center, designated sales offices, or approved travel agents. Additional terms and conditions apply.

To check and book the Oman Air 25% discount offer, CLike Here

This discount provides a prime opportunity for travelers to plan their next adventure and experience the luxury and comfort of Oman Air at unbeatable prices.

Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, has rolled out a series of limited-time airfare deals to enhance travel affordability for its customers this summer. Notably, travelers flying from Qatar can now benefit from exceptionally low one-way fares to destinations such as India and Sri Lanka, starting at just QAR 440 for travel through September 2025.

These attractive rates are designed to encourage more passengers to explore regional and international destinations while keeping costs low.

Key Offers:

• Doha (DOH) to Kochi (COK): From QAR 550*

• Doha (DOH) to Kozhikode (CCJ): From QAR 440*

• Doha (DOH) to Thiruvananthapuram (TRV): From QAR 475*

• Doha (DOH) to Sharjah (SHJ): From QAR 333*

• Doha (DOH) to Colombo (CMB): From QAR 539*

• Doha (DOH) to Tbilisi (TBS): From QAR 855*

• Doha (DOH) to Nairobi (NBO): From QAR 703*

• Doha (DOH) to Karachi (KHI): From QAR 353*

• Doha (DOH) to Chennai (MAA): From QAR 473*

• Doha (DOH) to Dhaka (DAC): From QAR 458*

• Doha (DOH) to Coimbatore (CJB): From QAR 550*

• Doha (DOH) to Bengaluru (BLR): From QAR 382*

Additional 10% discount (up to USD 5) using the promo code BOWG9 on eligible bookings

Promo Codes and Flexibility

Air Arabia continues to reward early bookers with promo codes that reduce overall costs even further. By using the code BOWG9 during booking, passengers can enjoy an extra 10% off applicable fares, offering added value on top of already competitive prices. The current promotions are available for a range of destinations served from Qatar and other Gulf countries, subject to seat availability and specific terms and conditions.

Focus on Accessibility and Value

As travel rebounds globally, Air Arabia remains committed to making air travel more accessible. Its frequent introductory fare sales and easily accessible promo codes provide practical solutions for individuals, families, and businesses looking for affordable travel options without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Booking and Travel Periods

The discounted fares are strictly limited in quantity and apply to specific travel windows. For the latest details or to make a reservation, customers are encouraged to visit Air Arabia’s official website or consult recognized travel platforms for real-time pricing and promotion confirmation.

For more information or to take advantage of the ongoing discounts, visit Air Arabia’s booking platform or official communication channels.