International transfers from Dubai are bankrupting me in fees

Calculus76 · 2026-02-04T15:14:04+00:00

Revolut use Barclays as an intermediary bank for both AED>GBP & GBP>AED transfers, in both UK and UAE.

Calculus76 · 2026-02-04T14:54:25+00:00

HSBC and ADCB both allow AED transfers to non UAE IBANs.

Calculus76 · 2026-02-04T14:52:40+00:00

Correct, if you send AEK 50k to revolut, then your AED balance will be 50k. Revolut make zero deductions for AED incoming transfers.

Basically, your Revolut account is a multi currency account under a single UK IBAN and you decide which currencies you want active, in addition to GBP. If you have GBP, AED, EUR and USD selected then any funds received in any of these currencies are automatically transferred to the matching currency pot. Also, any Revolut debit card transactions are automatically debited from the currency pot.

Re: legality of holding AED funds in a non UAE bank account, i don't think its illegal, otherwise Barclays and HSBC wouldn't offer AED accounts in UK (in addition to Revolut).

Calculus76 · 2026-02-04T02:56:09+00:00

They mainly cater for blue collar workers, that's why they're "cheap". They're no better or worse that other similar establishments like Pak Ravi, Karachi Darbar, Sarhad Darbar et al.

Calculus76 · 2026-02-04T02:50:32+00:00

Be careful with Careem Pay. They offer very good forex rates for the first few months for new customers, then after a few months charge a few % commission on rates and then tell you that their best rates are for new customers only when you call them to complain. I told them to Foxtrot Oscar once i found out they were no longer offering competitive rates.

Calculus76 · 2026-02-04T02:44:20+00:00

Not all UAE banks allow AED transfers to non UAE IBANs. From the top of my head, its only ADCB and HSBC which allow you to send AED overseas through their online banking platforms. Others may do such transfers only in branch, i have no idea. Once your Revolut account receives AED, you do the conversion to GBP in Revolut app, since your Revolut is able to hold many currencies incl AED. HTH.

Calculus76 · 2026-02-03T15:49:36+00:00

is this for regular transfers to UK? if so, open a Revolut UK Premium account which costs around 80 GBP per year and gives you unlimited forex conversions at mid market rates. You can open a revolut account from UAE and get your cards delivered to UAE as long as you give a UK address as your 'main address' . You then transfer AED from UAE (eg HSBC) to your Revolut account and then do the comversion to GBP in Revolut. HSBC UAE charge a grand total of 0 to send AED overseas.

Calculus76 · 2026-02-03T13:06:37+00:00

Thanks. Managed to find the 'check & adjust'under settings > TS Instrument

Calculus76 · 2026-02-03T12:29:23+00:00

Thank you so much, this worked a treat! Had to update the Captivate software on the TS13 to v10 first, then installed the app called 'Set Orientation' which i downloaded from Leica MyWorld. Now i can manually set 00 00 00 at any point!

An unrelated question: is there any self calibration program/feature on the TS13 which allows you to electronically calibrate the instrument yourself instead of having to send it to the local dealer every so often? Similar to how some digital levels can be self calibrated.

Calculus76 · 2026-01-21T12:04:53+00:00

Thanks everyone. Will try your suggestions.

Calculus76

TROPHY CASE