Dubai, Abu Dhabi vie to attract tourists to UAE: Emirates rolls out flexi booking, travel perks

In an ongoing effort to attract global travellers, the UAE’s premier destinations are introducing highly competitive incentives. Following Abu Dhabi’s recent announcement of free entry visas for tourists, Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, has responded with a comprehensive suite of booking benefits and flexible travel options designed to make journey planning entirely stress-free.

The main attractions
Foremost among the new updates is the introduction of unlimited free date changes for passengers travelling to Dubai. This highly convenient perk now applies to Economy Saver and Flex tickets, as well as Business Class Special, Saver, and Flex options. These benefits, which were previously exclusive to Economy Flex Plus, Premium Economy, Business Flex Plus, and First Class ticket holders, have now been extended across a much broader range of fare categories to ensure peace of mind for all travellers.

Reduced rates
Emirates has also significantly reduced ticket cancellation and refund fees. The refund fee for Economy Saver tickets is now set at USD 50, while Economy Flex refunds will cost just USD 25. For Business Class passengers, the refund fee for Special and Saver tickets has been lowered to USD 50, with Flex tickets reduced to USD 25, offering passengers much greater flexibility if their travel plans change unexpectedly.

Flexible booking options and fare lock
For passengers travelling onwards to other global destinations, Emirates now offers a single free date change. Travellers can also lock in their selected airfares for up to 24 hours. This feature allows passengers to monitor price fluctuations; if the fare drops within 24 hours, they can rebook at the lower rate, and if it rises, they are guaranteed the locked-in price.

Comprehensive travel insurance and safety nets
To safeguard travellers against unexpected disruptions, Emirates is also offering a comprehensive travel insurance package that can be purchased alongside flight tickets. In the event of medical emergencies or hospitalisation linked to regional instability, passengers are covered for up to USD 25,000 in medical expenses. Additionally, if journeys are disrupted due to conflicts, passengers can extend or reschedule their travel dates for up to 30 days free of charge.

The insurance policy also provides robust coverage for baggage loss and sudden flight cancellations. In cases of cancellations, Emirates will arrange complimentary accommodation for affected passengers. If passengers miss connection flights or experience disruptions on code-share partner flights, the airline will facilitate free rebookings to their final destination. Members of the Emirates Skywards loyalty programme will also enjoy access to additional exclusive rewards and tier-based benefits.

What Abu Dhabi offers
Abu Dhabi has rolled out a major incentive for Indian tourists, offering free 30-day UAE tourist visas under an exclusive pilot scheme. This initiative, designed to boost stopovers and longer holidays in the UAE capital, waives the visa fee of approximately AED 285 for eligible Indian passport holders.

To claim this offer, travellers must plan and complete their trip between August 1 and October 31, 2026. The tourist visa remains valid for a 30-day stay. Arrivals after this date will not qualify for the visa fee waiver. 

How to book
The key condition to secure this complimentary visa is booking a holiday package that includes a minimum stay of three consecutive nights in Abu Dhabi. These bookings must be made through select online travel agencies or designated online travel partners. While approaching a travel agency, passengers can inquire whether they are participating in the programme and, if required, ask for proof of approval from the Abu Dhabi authorities as well. If every family member meets the eligibility criteria, the entire family group can benefit from the visa waiver, as there are no capping limits per family or per booking.

Quota and immigration approvals
Travellers should act fast as the first phase of this pilot project is strictly capped at 20,000 visas. Furthermore, booking an eligible holiday package does not guarantee automatic visa entry. Each application remains subject to the standard UAE immigration regulations and official background checks. The final decision rests entirely with the UAE immigration authorities.

How the visa fee waiver works
Under the scheme, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi will reimburse participating travel agents and destination management companies (DMCs) around AED 285 per visa. This back-end reimbursement ensures that eligible Indian tourists do not have to pay the standard visa fee upfront when booking their packages, translating to instant savings for families and solo travellers alike.