Be Happy Team
What allotments and net rates actually are
Dubai has hundreds of hotels and apartment properties, and most agents cannot negotiate with each one. A Destination Management Company (DMC) contracts rooms in advance, then shares those trade-only prices with agencies. That price is the net rate. Your selling price is the net rate plus your margin plus any package components such as transfers, visas and tours.
An allotment is the reserved stock behind that rate: a set number of rooms held for specific dates. The key term is the release period (or cut-off), the number of days before arrival when unconfirmed rooms return to the hotel. Knowing it keeps you from losing peak-date inventory.
Net rate
Confidential trade price, before your margin.
Allotment
Rooms held for your dates at a fixed rate.
Release date
The deadline to confirm before rooms are returned.
Direct contract
Rate agreed with the hotel, with no hidden middle layer.
Four contract types agents should know
| Type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Free-sale | FIT leisure, quick confirmations | Stop-sell on peak dates |
| Allotment | Repeat series, predictable volume | Release deadlines |
| Group block | GIT, weddings, MICE | Attrition and rooming list dates |
| Dynamic net | Last-minute and fluctuating demand | Rates move with occupancy |
Always confirm cancellation terms, child policy and blackout dates in writing before you quote. Details vary by hotel and season, so verify with your DMC. For seasonal timing, read our Dubai seasons and booking windows guide.
Tourism Dirham: the fee that surprises clients
Dubai charges a Tourism Dirham fee per room, per night (not per guest), for a maximum of 30 consecutive nights, ranging from AED 7 to AED 20 by hotel category. It usually appears as a separate line on the hotel bill, so flag it to clients upfront to avoid check-in disputes.
AED 20
5-star hotels
AED 15
4-star hotels
AED 10
3-star hotels
AED 7
1–2 star and budget
Source: UAE Government portal. Hotel apartments and holiday homes follow their own classification. Check current rules before quoting.
Try the margin calculator
Quick quote estimator
Illustrative maths in AED, excluding other taxes and charges. Ask our team for live net rates.
How to pick a DMC for hotel contracting
- Licence: confirm DET licensing, not just a self-declared "official" claim.
- Direct vs resold: ask whether rates are direct contracts or resold through another wholesaler.
- Speed: quotes in under an hour protect your conversions.
- Bundling: hotels plus transfers, visas, tours, MICE and yachts under one roof.
- Support: 24/7 WhatsApp for arrivals and changes.
Want the full checklist? See our complete guide to partnering with a Dubai DMC, or explore luxury Dubai travel for high-yield clients.
Get set up in 4 steps
- Register on the B2B partner form and choose your market segment.
- Verify with your business card and trade licence (typically about 2 business hours).
- Receive your Partner ID.
- Start quoting hotels, packages and services with our ground team.
Ready for Dubai net rates that actually protect your margin?
Strictly B2B. DET-licensed. Official partner of Yas Island.
Request B2B Rates Chat on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
What is a hotel allotment in Dubai?
A block of rooms a hotel holds at a pre-agreed net rate for a DMC or agent. Unconfirmed rooms are released back to the hotel on the release date.
What is a net rate in travel?
The confidential trade price charged before the agent adds a margin. It is not shown to the public.
How much is the Tourism Dirham fee in Dubai?
AED 7 to AED 20 per room per night by category, for up to 30 consecutive nights. Typically AED 10 for 3★, AED 15 for 4★ and AED 20 for 5★.
Why book through a DMC instead of directly?
A DMC bundles hotels with transfers, visas, tours and 24/7 support under one contract and one point of accountability, with trade rates individual agents rarely access.
How do I get net rates from Be Happy Tourism?
Register as a B2B partner. Verification typically takes about 2 business hours, then you receive your Partner ID and tariff access.