Most Dubai hotels place a temporary hold of roughly AED 500–1,500 on your card at check-in to cover incidentals like minibar, room service, or damage. It is a pre-authorisation, not a charge — the hold is released automatically after checkout, though your bank can take several business days (sometimes up to 14) to free the funds.
Why hotels take a deposit
Your room is already paid online, but the hotel still wants cover for anything you might add during the stay — minibar, room service, parking, or damage. Higher-end properties tend to hold more, budget hotels less; the amount is the hotel's own policy.
Hold vs charge: your money is frozen, not taken
The deposit is a pre-authorisation on your card: it reduces your available balance but no money actually moves unless you spend on incidentals. It is entirely separate from your prepaid room, which was settled at booking through our accommodation partner's payment system.
When the hold is released
The hotel releases the hold at checkout, but how fast the funds reappear depends on your bank — often a few business days, sometimes up to 14. Debit-card holds typically take longer to clear than credit-card holds, which is one reason a credit card is the better card to present at the desk. Some budget hotels accept cash deposits instead, returned at checkout.
Plan for it
Make sure your card has enough available balance on arrival to absorb the hold comfortably. Questions about a hold that has not cleared? See payments & account help or check your booking in My Trips. Still choosing a room? Search Dubai hotels.