UAE. Dubai Duty Free and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) are deepening their engagement with Indian travellers through a new shopping rewards initiative linked to UPI payments.
The promotion offers a -10% discount, up to AED100 (US$27), on eligible purchases made using the QR-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system.
As reported, Dubai Duty Free introduced UPI payments in January 2025 through point-of-sale terminals supplied by payment solutions provider Magnati and its strategic partner, NIPL, the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Indian travellers can activate the UPI International/UPI Global service through their UPI-enabled app to use the payment service at Dubai Duty Free. Linked to an eligible Indian bank account, it allows payments at participating merchants to be made directly from the account, offering a convenient alternative to cash and foreign currency.
One of the world’s leading travel retailers, Dubai Duty Free operates across Dubai and Al Maktoum international airports, where Network International will facilitate UPI acceptance as the acquiring partner, supporting payment processing across participating terminals.
NPCI International MD & CEO Ritesh Shukla 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.”
Network International Group CEO Murat Cagri Suzer added: “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.”
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi 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.”
The initiative enhances the shopping experience for Indian travellers while extending UPI’s reach across key retail touchpoints in the UAE.
It also strengthens digital payment connectivity between India and the UAE, giving travellers a familiar and convenient payment solution when shopping overseas. ✈
