Visa, noon enable contactless tipping in UAE

By Milan Rojan

Visa and UAE-based digital marketplace noon have launched a contactless tipping initiative for delivery riders in the UAE, allowing customers to make digital contributions by tapping their smartphones against NFC-enabled stickers.

The initiative, called Tap to Tip, has been introduced across participating noon riders, with stickers placed on delivery bags, bike boxes, helmets and uniforms. Customers tapping the stickers have been directed to a dedicated tipping page where they can complete payments digitally.

Visa has cited findings from its Where Cash Hides study, which showed that 80% of payments in the UAE have been made digitally, while 58% of consumers have continued to use cash for tipping.

Salima Gutieva, Vice President and UAE Country Manager at Visa, has said: “By simplifying digital tipping, we are creating more opportunities for consumers to show appreciation through fast, secure, and convenient payments.”

Ali Kafil-Hussain, Chief Business Officer at noon, has said customers have already been able to tip through the platform, with the full value of each tip going directly to the rider. He has added that Tap to Tip has provided another way for customers to recognise delivery workers.

The initiative has enabled customers to tip participating riders without placing an order, while contributions have been pooled and distributed across noon’s rider community, according to the companies.

Visa has positioned the initiative as part of its broader efforts to use payment technology to support digital inclusion and everyday transactions. Noon has brought its delivery network and digital platform to the partnership, while Visa has provided the payment infrastructure.

The launch has highlighted how NFC-enabled payments have increasingly been used beyond conventional retail transactions, including small-value payments and digital tipping across the UAE.