Abu Dhabi - Post Report Question and Answers
Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are safe and apps such as Carrefour, Zomato, Uber and Deliveroo take Apple Pay. - Feb 2020
We rarely ever use cash here, but you can find ATMs everywhere. Using your credit card is safe here. - Jun 2019
Yes, very safe. We use credit cards for everything. - Sep 2017
Credit cards and ATMs are everywhere and I've never had a problem with fraud in the three years I've been here. - Jun 2015
ATMs are common, and credit cards (including international cards) are widely accepted. It's wise to observe good basic cautions, though, as one hears a lot about ATM skimming and other kinds of petty fraud. - May 2013
ATMs are plentiful. ADCB ones always try to lure you into making donations to the Red Crescent when you withdraw your money. I used my UK credit card without any problems and declined a UAE one. Too many people seem to end up in real difficulties if they don't pay them off in full; stories of debtors being stopped at the airport and prevented from leaving the country feature in the local media. - Jul 2012
Widely available, usually at good rates. I generally pay 1% of any transaction to my U.S. bank for ATMs, but have never had any trouble accessing funds. - Aug 2011
ATMs are plentiful, but there are debtor prisons and draconian laws about failing to pay credit card bills or bouncing a check, including significant jail time. - Jul 2011
Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. ATMS are safe and widely available. It is still advisable to check your bank statement every month to look for any inconsistencies. - Nov 2010
I use my ATM and credit cards without any problems. - Jan 2010
ATMS are everywhere, and exchanges are everywhere, with so many expats here from all over the world. Expats make up 90% of the population. - Aug 2009