TravelEZ Visa card, Al Fardan Exchange
The TravelEZ Visa prepaid cards can be used at any outlet in the world where Visa debit cards are accepted, over the phone, and for online purchases. It can also be used at ATM machines.
The cards come in dollars or dirhams, and cash in the card is protected with a unique PIN. Customers can also choose between Standard or Premium cards, the latter with his or her name printed on its face.
The TravelEZ card can be reloaded an endless number of times, with a minimal reload fee of U$3 (about Dh11). There are no purchase transaction fees, and cardholders can transfer funds between themselves, almost instantly. Balance enquiries can be made online, at an ATM or through a phone call to a customer service number in Dubai
Applying for the TravelEZ Visa card is easy, and can be made online or in person, with just a passport. Bank accounts are not required, but there is a minimum age limit of 18 years. When ready, the card can be collected from any Al Fardan Exchange branch in the UAE, or delivered to a hotel in Dubai.
For more details, visit www.travelezvisa.com
Gocash MasterCard, UAE Exchange
The gocash prepaid travel card comes in a variety of currencies, and offers the freedom and convenience of security and easy money management. In a first for the region, customers can load up to six currencies on the card, from a choice of 15. Purchases can be made at retail outlets, online, and through ATMs that feature the MasterCard logo.
Gocash has several useful features. The exchange rate is locked to the rate at the time of purchase until the next reload, thereby protecting customers from frequent currency fluctuations. It also comes with free travel insurance. The minimum amount to be loaded on the card is Dh 100 and the maximum an equivalent of US$ 5,000 (Dh18,362), while the card issuance fee is Dh35.
The cards are currently available only for UAE residents, and customers have to submit regulatory requirements such as copies of the Emirates ID and residence visa. The card can be reloaded any number of times, but only at UAE Exchange in the UAE, which currently has 122 branches.
For more details, visit www.gocashcards.com
Citi Travel Pass credit card, Citibank
Although not a travel card, Citibank’s Citi Travel Pass credit card is ideal for frequent travellers who can use it as a traditional credit card, and then to reward themselves.
The card lets customers earn Citi Travel Pass points on all transactions irrespective of size and location - including utility bill payments and loan repayments in the UAE - and these can be redeemed for free tickets from an array of airlines, to a range of destinations. Additionally, the programme offers discounts on tickets from select airlines.
Every US$1 (about Dh4) of card spending equals 1 Citi Travel point, and these points are valid for five years. Accrued points can also be topped up with cash, at US $0.024 (about Dh0.088) per point, as long as the purchased points do not exceed 50 per cent of the total points required for a particular ticket. Customers can sign up for up to five free supplementary cards for family members, including those residing outside the UAE, and with pre-fixed spending limits.
The best feature of the card is the fixed points for each destination, irrespective of peak travel season hikes. As an example, 27,000 Citi Travel Pass points are adequate for a ticket from Dubai to Bangalore at any time of year, although bookings have to be made through the bank’s travel partner, and at least 30 days in advance.
For more details, visit www.citi.com/uae
