Indian travellers in Dubai can get up to AED 100 off at Dubai Duty Free using UPI

Indian travellers visiting Dubai can now get a 10 per cent discount on eligible shopping purchases at Dubai Duty Free when they pay through India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

The offer, announced by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), provides a discount of up to AED 100 on eligible transactions.

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The initiative allows Indian visitors to use their Indian bank accounts for payments while shopping at Dubai Duty Free, offering an alternative to carrying cash or exchanging currency for purchases.

To use the facility, travellers must activate the UPI International or UPI Global service for an eligible bank account through their UPI-enabled application. Once activated, they can make payments directly from their Indian bank accounts at participating merchants accepting UPI.

Dubai Duty Free operates retail outlets at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. Its stores offer products across categories such as fashion, beauty, electronics, confectionery, beverages, watches and jewellery.

Under the partnership, Network International will act as the acquiring partner, enabling UPI payments at participating Dubai Duty Free payment terminals and supporting transaction processing.

Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, said, “Dubai is one of the preferred international travel destinations for Indian tourists, and at NPCI International, we are committed to making cross-border payments as seamless and familiar as domestic transactions. Through exclusive offers at Dubai Duty Free, we are making every purchase more rewarding by pairing the simplicity of secure, real-time UPI payments with valuable benefits for shoppers. Through this initiative, we aim to encourage wider adoption of UPI while elevating the overall journey for Indian visitors."

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Murat Cagri Suzer, Group CEO of Network International, said, “Our partnership with NPCI International continues to strengthen the payments ecosystem for Indian travellers in the UAE. As the acquiring partner enabling UPI acceptance at Dubai Duty Free, we are giving Indian visitors a familiar, secure way to pay as they shop. This reflects the flexibility and innovation at the core of our acquiring infrastructure – connecting international payment schemes to local acceptance points, reliably and at scale.”

Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said, “Indian travellers are an important part of Dubai Duty Free’s customer base, and we are pleased to partner with NPCI International to make their shopping experience even more convenient and rewarding. The integration of UPI provides Indian travellers with a familiar, secure and seamless way to pay while enjoying the benefits of this exclusive offer. We look forward to welcoming more Indian visitors and enhancing their airport shopping experience through this collaboration.”