Before You Book: Dubai Luxury Checklist
Updated October 2026 · by the Dubai Luxora team
Use this list before you confirm any luxury booking in Dubai. It covers what to carry, how money works (AED, VAT, deposits) and the questions that avoid surprises on the day.
Documents to carry
| Booking | Bring |
|---|---|
| Yacht | Original passport or Emirates ID for every guest (names go on the guest list in advance) |
| Self-drive car | Passport, visa or entry stamp, home licence plus International Driving Permit if needed, credit card in the driver's name |
| Chauffeur | Nothing special — share your flight number for airport pickups |
| Helicopter / balloon | Passport; tell the operator about children and mobility needs |
| Private jet | Passports and any visas for your destination |
Money basics
- Prices in Dubai are in UAE dirhams (AED). The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at about AED 3.67 per USD.
- The UAE charges 5% VAT. Ask whether a quote includes it.
- Self-drive cars need a deposit blocked on a credit card; fines and road tolls are taken from it before release.
- Pay the licensed company directly, by a traceable method. Never pay a personal account.
Ten questions to ask before paying
- What is the company's name, and can I see its licence?
- Is this the total price? Does it include VAT, fuel and tolls?
- What exactly is included, and what costs extra?
- Where and when do we meet, and who is my contact on the day?
- For yachts: does the time start at the marina, and is there a swim stop?
- For cars: what is the deposit, the daily kilometre limit and the extra-km charge?
- What happens if weather cancels the trip?
- What is the cancellation policy if my plans change?
- How many guests is it licensed for?
- Can I see real photos or a video of the exact yacht or car?
Short on time? Send us your plan on WhatsApp or Telegram and we get these answers from the operator for you.
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Learn more →Still have questions? Ask a real person.
Send your date, group size and budget. We reply with options from licensed Dubai operators — usually within the hour. Asking is free and you're under no obligation to book.
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- Licensed operators only
- You pay the operator directly
- Free advice, no obligation