If you live in the UAE, there’s a good chance you have used a discount platform at some point. Some of the most widely-used discount apps include The Entertainer, Groupon, Cobone and VoucherSkout, among many others.
Undoubtedly, all of these apps are designed to help consumers save money. But you will find that each of these apps works differently, and offers its own unique benefits and cost structures.
We’ve taken it upon ourselves to analyze and compare key features of these discount apps. Below, we’ve laid out the pros and cons to help you choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and preferences.
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For the experience-seeker
Unarguably, one of the most widely-used discount platforms in the market, is the Entertainer app. It features two-for-one discounts on everything from hotels and leisure attractions and activities, to fashion, retail, restaurants and gym memberships. Upon registering, you will need to purchase one of the Entertainer products before availing the buy-one-get-one free offers.
Entertainer subscribers have the option of buying a basic annual package at a cost of AED 495 covering a wide variety of offers. You’ll also have the option of subscribing to add-on packages at an extra cost, which offer more savings on fitness, beauty and beverages. As deals remain valid from 2nd January to the 30th December, buying an Entertainer product at the start of the year is a smarter decision as it enables you to get more bang for your buck. Although there is a higher upfront cost involved, there is also so much variety that comes with using this app. The built-in tracker that calculates your savings over time is a great feature as well.
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For the bargain hunter
Everyone loves a bargain. For those who really find joy in spotting big discounts should try Cobone.com. This daily deals website and app gives customers access to fantastic savings on a wide variety of products and services. And the best part – It is free to sign up and browse the deals on offer, before buying. You can simply pay for a single voucher for a deal you’re interested in. You don’t have to pay a chunk of money to get access to a wide range of deals, which you may or may not be interested in.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using this app. Daily deals tend to come and go, and vouchers come with expiration dates. Vouchers can only be redeemed based on availability with the seller. Moreover, the deal itself may be cancelled if the seller is not successful in securing a certain number of buyers.
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Similar to the local favorite Cobone.com, is its international counterpart Groupon UAE. This app also offers excellent promotions that can help you rack up big savings on all kinds of things such as staycations, waterparks and other tourist attractions. What’s great about this app is the free registration and more personalized experience as it offers useful deal suggestions. One of the few drawbacks is the fact that you only have a limited time to get in on a listed deal and purchase a voucher.
With both of these daily deals sites, customers are expected to read the fine print carefully. This will help you fully understand the terms, conditions and instructions for redeeming the vouchers, and avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.
For the spontaneous saver
One of the more recent discount schemes to join the competition is VoucherSkout. It can be downloaded as a Smartphone app for free. Under this scheme, customers buy credits that can be used for all types of services and fun activities, ranging from scuba diving and dance classes to educational workshops and brunches. The app is great for tourists and visitors as it does not require a subscription in order to use credits. An added bonus: Customers do not have to pre-purchase deals but instead, avail the discount upon using the service.
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