Hi all!

Some of you might have seen our initial post when we first formed The Gaming Network (TGN) two years ago, but for those unfamiliar we basically started a club to host monthly discussions on selected Video Games & Anime!

Since May 2023 we've hosted over a dozen calls on Discord and a physical meetup every couple of months in Dubai!

For February's lineup, we've selected:

• 1000xRESIST as the Game of the Month
• Baccano! as the Anime of the Month

Our community is open to everyone however our discord is age-restricted to adults only to allow for open discussions.

To abide by the sub's rules I cant post the link to the Discord server here, however please feel free to drop a comment in case your interested in joining so I can PM you the invitation!

https://preview.redd.it/0o8p925deoge1.png?width=1587&format=png&auto=webp&s=00deac24a261539c0f3d43720df7d19c04e35d21

Hello! Im an indian citizen who got a tourist VOA because I have a US B/B2 visa which gives me 14 days in the UAE, Im looking to extend it for a few days- what are my options?

Its my fathers birthday coming and we would like to go to a nice italian restaurant at the marina or JBR. He likes out door dining given the pleasant weather with a nice view. Please suggest some nice mid-ranged restaurants. Thank you!

HI! I'd like to ask as to which is the best budget airline to travel with from ph to dxb around the month of march? (because i've heard that prices change depending as to what month is the travel)

(please respect, no hate comments please)

I've been trying to reach someone to check a weird case with a final settlement no one requested (new unit and newly connected so who could've ordered a final settlement?)

I tried every IVR option and even tried waiting without choosing but nothing works

Anyone else?

I had ejari from Jan 2022 to Jan 2023. At the time of renewal in Jan 2023 landlord took the cheques but did not give me Ejari even after multiple follow-ups. In Jan 2024 he again told me it's time to renew. I asked for Ejari again and again but no response. So there was no contract in place. In December 2024 I spoke with again for settlement. He told me to pay X amount(10% increase of last year) to evacuate. I agreed. Then he refused to accept the cheque and asked to pay double of the amount. I opened offer and deposit case to evacuate. Got approval but he is not responding. What are my potential options if I want to evacuate.

I currently have a multicurrency FAB account, the fx rates to switch from (say) AED to USD (or vv) looks to be about 3% which is a lot if you are changing a large amount of money. In the UK you can get it done for 0.5% (or even less) -- are there bank accounts in the UAE that have decent fx rates?

I have been Etisalat home internet for 5 years and I had no problem but now it kept on disconnect every now and then. I called customer care and they told me my routers are outdated and I need to buy new one front them. I had bought own routers back then from Asus... What's the deal with the update. They say router is outdated. What has been updated. Any one having the same issues

Hi, I'm looking to get into crypto trading. I'm however confused which exchange to use. I used to use Binance but since l'm a regular traveler to Canada I cannot trade on Binance as it has stopped its operations in Canada. I reside in UAE and was looking to change platforms. Heard numerous misconceptions about crypto.com any1 has tried it? Let me know your experience in using crypto.com or kraken. Is it easy to withdraw and sell crypto? which is a reliable exchange? Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I’m new to Dubai and planning to rent a 1BR apartment in JVC, JVT, Sports City, or Motor City. I’d love some insight on the average monthly cost of DEWA, especially since the chiller is included in DEWA.

Can anyone share their experience or typical costs for electricity, water, and cooling in these areas?

Appreciate your help!

I encountered old bank notes from 2018 in a money exchange. I didn't think about it and accepted them, now I'm concerned if these are still in circulation. Do most establishments still accept these?

Hello,

I’m planning to start investing in ETFs using IBKR and would appreciate some clarification on a few points that I haven’t been able to find definitive answers for online.

A) Funding via Wio

Based on my research, the most efficient method for funding my IBKR account seems to be transferring USD in chunks of less than 1,000 USD using a Wio Plus account. My understanding is that this method incurs zero transfer fees—both from Wio and any corresponding bank—and the currency conversion rate is 3.675 AED/USD.

I have a few questions regarding funding via Wio:

1. Is my understanding of the process correct, or am I missing any details?

2. How does using a "Standard" Wio account for international transfers differ from using a "Plus" account? I’ve read that the currency conversion rate for standard accounts is 3.685 instead of 3.675. Is this accurate? Are there any other differences, such as in transfer fees?

3. Is it preferable to first transfer funds from an AED Wio account to a USD Wio account before making an international transfer, or should I transfer directly from an AED Wio account?

B) Funding via HSBC

I’ve also come across recommendations to use HSBC to transfer AED to IBKR, and using IBKR’s currency conversion—which offers an excellent conversion rate. However, there seems to be some confusion around this method due to differing fees based on account types and discrepancies between the mobile app and the website.

I have a few questions regarding funding via HSBC:

4. What are the exact fees associated with the transfer (including HSBC fees and any corresponding bank fees)?

5. Which HSBC account type is most suitable for this purpose?

6. What are the differences in fees or processes when using the HSBC mobile app versus the website?

C) Withdrawals from IBKR

Finally, I’d like some guidance on the best method to withdraw money from IBKR to my UAE bank account:

7. Is it better to withdraw in USD to a multi-currency account in the UAE and then perform the currency conversion locally, or should I use IBKR’s conversion to AED and withdraw directly to an AED bank account?

8. I understand that IBKR offers one free withdrawal per month; however, are there any corresponding bank fees deducted during the process? If so, what are these fees, and do they differ based on whether the withdrawal is in AED or USD? Does the choice of UAE bank affect the fees?

I appreciate any insights or experiences you can share regarding these funding and withdrawal methods. Thank you in advance for your help!

There will be 4 people plus 5 large bags, the taxis at the airport will they be big enough to fit all of this?

Will a larger taxi also charge more to get from the airport to the hotel near dubai mall?

Thanks

Hi! First time to Dubai and my flight lands around midnight. Since I have a flight from Abu Dhabi 2 days later I was originally planning on taking the metro to Ibn Battuta and then the bus there to Abu Dhabi and stay there for 2 nights until my next flight. However I saw that the Dubai metro does not run on Wednesday when I arrive after midnight. Is there any way to get into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi from DXB besides taxi/rideshare (like Careem) after midnight or is that my only option?

Also, I'll need to withdraw physical USD for a trip I will be doing. I've read reports that there is an ATM that allows USD withdrawals airside in DXB - can someone who's done that recently confirm that? Otherwise does someone have a recommendation of an ATM in Dubai or Abu Dhabi where I can withdraw USD without a percentage FX conversion (a fixed ATM fee is fine by me, my bank doesn't charge an FX conversion on ATM withdrawals so if I can have the withdrawal be charged as a USD transaction that is perfect)? Thank you!

Sadly i got scammed the for first time in my life .

Matched with a pretty girl on bumble who said she was on vacation from Lebanon. She agreed to have dinner and i chose Taverna in Old Jumeriah Soug. When i picked her up from her hotel, she said lets just eat at the arabic restaurant in her hotel, its cheaper and no need for traffic and i agreed.

Right when we walked in, she ordered 2 sheesha for myself and her and mixed grill platter( before we even sat down). Im not familiar with alcohol names but she kept ordering a double shot of a drink then next hour until she reached 11 glasses of the drink. She kept insisting she never gets drunk and nothing happens.

At the same time she kept insisting to change the sheesha heads every 10 min claiming its burnt. I told her my sheesha is fine but hers was burnt apparently.

Anyways she wanted to order a 50k AED champange at the point, then so no what are we celebrating? At this point the waiter over hears me say this and he brought the owner to talk to me. The owner approaches me intimidating me with 2 gigantic bodyguards and tells me before i order anything, i need to pay. At this point i said ok, then they brought the bill and it was 15k AED!! I look at the girl and she is blacked out sleeping. Then four girls and picked her up and carried her out of the restaurant

11 glasses of the double shot (900 aed each) 6 sheesha heads changed (300 aed each) Mix grill platters and seafood platters for the rest.

So basically i found out later the owner pays girls to bring guys and run up the bill and they get a % of the bill

Be careful gents, dubai has a lot of scams and keep your guard up. If a girl chooses the place and insists , just be careful of these similar scamds

Hello,

This is the Daily Random Discussion thread, the place for anything goes discussion! Keep it PG and follow reddiquette.

Here are all the active monthly threads for Jan 2025:

Monthly r/Dubai Classifieds Thread: Jan 2025

Monthly r/Dubai Job Offers Thread: Jan 2025

Monthly r/Dubai Job Seekers Thread: Jan 2025

If you have any feedback or complaints about this post, please message the mods.

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to connect with fellow book lovers in Dubai—whether it’s for book discussions, exchanging recommendations, or just meeting like-minded people who enjoy reading. Are there any good book clubs, reading cafés, or events where I can meet people who share a love for books?

Seen a bunch of them around Oud Metha

Whats best, traveling with kids age 10,11 and 5. Atlantis the Palm or Atlantis the Royal?

I was a customer for a bank in UAE and was holding a credit card, I remember I only needed to pay 250 AED and I got a job issue, My job contract ended and I was out of the country since 2021, and I got an email from RAKBANK with the due amount of 3000+.

How can I handle this situation? filing a complaint in CBUAE will help?

I live in Al Barsha, and just months earlier, the streets used to be littered with massage cards but I just came to realise they're all disappeared and the streets are absolutely clean.

Leads me to my curiosity and here writing this - what happened, is law enforcement suddenly taking over?

So ive been trying to look for flights around the time for Eid. Been 3 weeks searching and boy was i surprised!! The prices have skyrocketed already. Anyone who's got a catch here? Trying to book from Dubai/ Abu Dhabi to New Delhi. Cannot fathom how they hike the fares to almost thrice the usual fare assuming we're all multi millionaires or What!!?? Any suggestions on a way out here? Checked skyscanner, kayak, makemytrip all!!

One of my friend has contracted Immigration consultant registered with DMCC. As per contract term, he has not delivered what was promised. Consumer Protection Authority says to contact DMCC, while DMCC says they are just licensing body. Any suggestions for next steps to make the consultant refund the amount for non-delivery of promised outcome? If court, then what’s the estimated cost if he takes this route?

Appreciate your input.

Hello, we are traveling to Dubai in March and considering if to go to 124,125 floor or the higher one 148 (I believe). Which one would you recommend? There’s quite big difference in price, and I’m just wondering if it’s worth it. What do you think?

they used to do that a few years ago then suddenly they only give now 3 months.

i need 6 months worth because i WFH in my home country now.

I have orient-nextcare general iirc

need maintenance for my diabetes and blood pressure

Can Golden Visa holders who are ‘dependents’ work outside uae?

Dear all, Am new to reddit.hope the replies will help me to come out from this. Am in rented apartment in al wasl.this is four year renewal with my family ( wife and daughter).last July we confirmed our second baby. my wife want go to home town for baby birth( First baby delivered during the covid pendamic.Myself and wife some how we managed alone here in dubai itself). So i dropped her in home town in last October and now am alone in my flat. I have asked one of my friend to stay with me.To be honest i have fear to stay alone in home. Also he moved to new company and not decided his working place so he also indecision. Dec & jan he was with me and he got new visa.i thought he will leave from my flat this month.but unfortunately al wasl checking happened last week and he showed his ID. I thought it is normal checking but now i got invoice for violation amount 8020 AED. Any advice is there any way solve without paying. I hope I conveyed my clear cut message here. Help me please all.

I’m new to dubai and I’ve never been hiking. Want to experience it before dubai turns back into a microwave oven. Problem is I don’t have a car and I have limited budget. It’d be nice if you guys could suggest trails you’ve done. Thanks.