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Emirates accepts Jaywan cards from Sept 16 with special fares

On 16 September 2026 Emirates went live with acceptance of the UAE's national card scheme Jaywan for flight bookings — online at emirates.com and in Emirates Retail stores. The agreement, signed with Al Etihad Payments (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank), covers all three card types: Jaywan Royal Debit, Jaywan Prestige Debit and Jaywan Prepaid. Cardholders unlock special fares across all cabin classes and most fare types on one-way and return journeys from Dubai. The booking window runs from 16 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, with travel valid until 29 February 2028. Online availability of the special fares will follow the retail launch.

MS
Marsel ShadmanovCEO & Partner, Garant Business Consultancy · UAE banking, structuring & tax
5 min read
On 16 September 2026 Emirates and Al Etihad Payments — a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank (CBUAE) and operator of the country's national payments infrastructure — went live with acceptance of the UAE's Jaywan national card scheme for flight bookings. All three Jaywan card types are accepted: Jaywan Royal Debit Card, Jaywan Prestige Debit Card and Jaywan Prepaid Card. Online purchases go through emirates.com (card details entered at checkout); in-person purchases run through Emirates Retail stores, with staff verifying the physical card. Cardholders receive special fares across all cabin classes and most fare types on one-way and return journeys from Dubai. The booking window runs from 16 September 2026 to 31 August 2027; the travel window extends to 29 February 2028. Special fares are available in Emirates Retail from 16 September 2026; the online channel activates the special-fare tier shortly after the retail launch. Emirates says the deal expands payment options for customers booking flights from Dubai and forms part of its work with the UAE's digital payments ecosystem to accelerate cashless adoption. Al Etihad Payments frames the move as connecting everyday payments with meaningful benefits for cardholders and reinforcing the country's long-term financial infrastructure.

Common questions on this topic

From what date does Emirates accept Jaywan, and which card types work?

From 16 September 2026. All three Jaywan card types issued by UAE banks under the national scheme are accepted: Jaywan Royal Debit Card, Jaywan Prestige Debit Card and Jaywan Prepaid Card. The scheme is operated by Al Etihad Payments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank (CBUAE); Emirates signed the acceptance agreement with Al Etihad Payments. 16 September 2026 is the go-live date across all sales channels, including online checkout on emirates.com and Emirates Retail stores across the UAE. The specific card type held by a customer depends on the issuing bank and its Jaywan product line.

Can I pay with Jaywan online or only at Emirates Retail stores?

Both channels. On emirates.com the cardholder enters Jaywan details at checkout, just like any other payment card. At Emirates Retail stores the payment goes through with staff verifying the physical card. The retail channel opens on 16 September 2026 with special fares available immediately. Online card acceptance is live from the same date; online availability of the special-fare tier follows the retail launch — Emirates has flagged this as the next step but has not published a specific date.

What are the special fares for Jaywan holders and which routes qualify?

A discount on the standard fare for Jaywan holders, applying across all cabin classes and most fare types, on both one-way and return journeys departing from Dubai. Time limits: booking window 16 September 2026 through 31 August 2027; travel window until 29 February 2028. Emirates has not published a headline percentage — the size of the discount depends on route, class, date, fare type and specific fare rules. The active special fare is visible when paying with Jaywan at Emirates Retail (and later at online checkout on emirates.com).

What are Jaywan and Al Etihad Payments, and why does this matter for the UAE market?

Jaywan is the UAE's national card payments scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments — a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank (CBUAE). The purpose of a national scheme is to route domestic UAE transactions through the country's own infrastructure, not solely through international networks: this reduces dependence on external payment rails, lowers processing costs and creates a single platform used by government, banking, transport and tourism services. Emirates becomes a landmark aviation partner. Wider context: in August 2026 Al Etihad Payments signed with UnionPay International, giving Jaywan acceptance across the global UnionPay network (100M+ POS terminals, 1.8M ATMs, 183 countries and regions); and the UAE Tourism Council widened Jaywan acceptance to hotels and tourist attractions within the UAE. See our explainer on the <a href="/en/tax-finance/jaywan-uae-national-payment-card/">Jaywan national card</a>.

What should businesses and UAE expats do right now to use the special fares?

Three practical steps. (1) Check whether you or your team hold a Jaywan card — many UAE banks issue Jaywan variants alongside the default international card. If not, ask your bank about eligibility. (2) Until 31 August 2027, use Jaywan for Emirates bookings from Dubai — at Emirates Retail immediately (special fare live from day one), online at emirates.com as soon as the online channel activates the special-fare tier. (3) Plan travel dates within the 29 February 2028 travel window. For corporate clients the wider point is savings within a more integrated UAE payments infrastructure; see also our overview of <a href="/en/economy/economy-oae-2026-outlook/">the UAE economy in 2026</a>.

On 16 September 2026 Emirates went live with acceptance of the UAE's national Jaywan card scheme for flight bookings. The agreement with Al Etihad Payments — a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank — covers all three card types (Royal Debit, Prestige Debit, Prepaid) and unlocks special fares across all cabin classes and most fare types on Dubai departures. Booking window: 16 September 2026 to 31 August 2027; travel until 29 February 2028.

The UAE's national card scheme just added its biggest aviation partner. Al Etihad Payments — the wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank (CBUAE) that operates Jaywan and the country's national payments infrastructure — signed an agreement with Emirates to accept Jaywan for flight purchases on emirates.com and in Emirates Retail stores. The go-live date is 16 September 2026.

What was launched

According to the coverage in Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Emirates 24|7 and the Zawya/Reuters newswire on 15 September 2026, the terms are:

  • Card types accepted. All three Jaywan variants: Jaywan Royal Debit Card, Jaywan Prestige Debit Card and Jaywan Prepaid Card. The specific variant depends on the issuing bank.
  • Acceptance channels. Online at emirates.com — card details entered at checkout. In-person at Emirates Retail stores, with staff verifying the physical card.
  • Special fares. A dedicated pricing tier for Jaywan holders — across all cabin classes and most fare types, on one-way and return journeys departing from Dubai. Emirates has not disclosed a headline percentage; the exact size depends on route, class, date and fare rules.
  • Booking window. 16 September 2026 to 31 August 2027.
  • Travel window. Until 29 February 2028.
  • Rollout sequence. Special fares are live in Emirates Retail from launch day. Online acceptance of Jaywan works from the same date, and the online special-fare tier will follow the retail launch as the next step.

Statements from both sides

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates: "We've been working with partners across the UAE's digital payments ecosystem to accelerate cashless adoption." He described Jaywan as becoming part of the default payment set for customers booking Emirates flights from Dubai.

Dr. Tariq Al Hawi, Chief Operating Officer, Al Etihad Payments: "This partnership demonstrates how Jaywan can connect everyday payments with meaningful benefits and experiences for cardholders." He noted that integrations with major national brands reinforce the financial infrastructure the UAE is building for the years ahead.

Where this fits in the Jaywan story

Emirates becomes the largest aviation partner Jaywan has landed to date. Across 2026 Al Etihad Payments has steadily widened Jaywan's acceptance footprint:

  • International footprint. August 2026 — Al Etihad Payments signed with UnionPay International, giving Jaywan acceptance across the global UnionPay network: 100M+ POS terminals, 1.8M ATMs, 183 countries and regions.
  • Domestic tourism. UAE Tourism Council (August 2026) — hotels and tourist attractions added to Jaywan acceptance, in support of the National Tourism Strategy 2031 target of AED 450bn tourism contribution to GDP.
  • Aviation. September 2026 — Emirates goes live: one of the world's largest airlines onboarded onto Jaywan with its own discount mechanic.

For the market this signals Jaywan's move from pilot integrations and government-adjacent services into mass commercial demand — the more places accept the card at real spending points, the faster Jaywan's share of overall UAE payment volume grows. Our full explainer covers the Jaywan card and what it means for the UAE payments system.

What it changes for an Emirates customer

Three practical layers.

  1. Additional payment method. A passenger holding a Jaywan card can now pay for Emirates tickets in the same way as with any international debit or credit card. No need to keep a separate international card just for flights — Jaywan works through the same online checkout and at Retail.
  2. Discount on the standard fare. A dedicated pricing tier for Jaywan holders across all cabin classes and most fare types on Dubai departures. Under the fare rules, the Jaywan discount combines with promotional fares available at the time of booking.
  3. Time limits. Booking window closes 31 August 2027. Travel window closes 29 February 2028. Anyone planning large corporate trips or family flights should map their calendar against those dates.

Practical steps

  1. Check that you hold a Jaywan card. Many UAE banks now issue Jaywan variants, though international cards remain the default. If you do not have one, ask your bank about issuance and product tier (Royal, Prestige or Prepaid).
  2. Compare the special fare with the standard price. At Retail from day one; online as soon as the online tier activates. For large corporate bookings, the delta between Jaywan and standard fares can easily justify getting the card issued.
  3. Plan around the travel window. Departure by 29 February 2028; booking by 31 August 2027. Rebooking outside the window would lose the benefit.
  4. Watch the online channel. The key upcoming milestone is the special-fare tier going live at emirates.com. Emirates has flagged this as the next step without publishing a date — worth checking on the promo page or via the Emirates app before major bookings.

Bottom line

Emirates onboarding Jaywan is not just an airline marketing option. It moves one of the UAE's most visible spending categories for residents and corporate clients — air travel — onto the country's national payment rails. For cardholders it is a direct discount on Dubai departures with a limited-time window. For the market it is a strong signal: the national card is no longer confined to everyday POS and government services — it now covers premium spending through the country's flagship airline. The UAE financial infrastructure is getting denser and more visible; see also our overview of the UAE economy in 2026.

Based on coverage from Gulf News (Business/Aviation, 15 September 2026), Khaleej Times, Emirates 24|7, the Zawya/Reuters newswire and GDN Online. Primary quotes from Emirates (Adnan Kazim, Deputy President & CCO) and Al Etihad Payments (Dr. Tariq Al Hawi, COO). Not financial or travel advice — verify specific booking terms on emirates.com and with your Jaywan card-issuing bank.

Topics:UAEJaywanEmiratesAl Etihad PaymentsCBUAENational cardPaymentsAviationDubai

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