Marianne Martinez
While most airlines have moved away from accepting cash as a payment method for plane tickets, there are still some options available for those who wish to pay with physical currency. Some airlines, like American Airlines and Alaska Air, accept cash payments at select airport ticket counters and travel centres. Additionally, cash payment methods like Fawry and Paysafecash allow individuals in certain countries to purchase flights with cash by generating a unique barcode or reference number that can be used to complete the transaction at a local payment point. For those who prefer not to use cash, various alternative payment methods are available, including credit and debit cards, gift cards, prepaid cards, and buy now, pay later options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines that accept cash | American Airlines, Alaska Air, Southwest, JetBlue, Alternative Airlines, Air Asia |
| Payment methods | Paysafecash, Fawry, debit card, credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, e-wallet, gift cards, prepaid card, vouchers, cash |
| Drawbacks of cashless airlines | Not all consumers have access to bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards |
| Advantages of cashless airlines | Trip protection, no fees for paying late or early |
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What You'll Learn
Some large airlines still accept cash at airport ticket counters
While most airlines have shifted to cashless transactions, some large airlines still accept cash payments at certain airport ticket counters. Notably, American Airlines accepts cash payments at some airport ticket counters and travel centres, although the specific locations offering this option may vary. Alaska Air also accepts cash payments in US and Canadian dollars at ticket counters in the US and Canada, and in Mexican pesos at their ticketing counter in Mexico. Additionally, Southwest continues to accept cash payments at their international locations, excluding their US ticketing counters.
For those who prefer to pay in cash, there are alternative options available. Some airlines, like Alaska Air, provide ReadySTATION kiosks at cashless airports, where travellers can convert cash to a prepaid debit card for a small fee. This card can then be used to purchase flight tickets. Another option is to utilise gift cards for the desired airline, which can often be purchased with cash at grocery stores and large retailers. This method allows travellers to indirectly use cash to pay for their plane tickets.
Furthermore, some airlines offer flexible payment methods that provide travellers with the option to book now and pay later. These services, such as Affirm, Klarna, and Flex Pay, allow travellers to secure their flights immediately and then pay off the cost of the ticket in installments over time. This approach can be particularly beneficial for those on a budget or those who prefer to avoid upfront cash payments.
In addition to the above, there are other creative ways to indirectly purchase plane tickets with cash. One method is to use cash to fund a PayPal account and then use that balance to purchase tickets. Another option is to link your bank account to PayPal or use an e-wallet, although some e-wallets impose limits on the amount that can be paid at once. These options provide travellers with greater flexibility in managing their travel finances.
While the trend towards cashless transactions in the airline industry is evident, it is important to recognise that not everyone has equal access to bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards. By offering a range of payment options, including cash, airlines can better accommodate the diverse needs and circumstances of their customers.
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Using cash to buy gift cards or vouchers for plane tickets
While many airlines have moved away from accepting cash payments for plane tickets, there are still some workarounds if you don't have access to a bank account, debit card, or credit card. One option is to use cash to buy gift cards or vouchers that can be redeemed for plane tickets. Here are some ways to go about this:
Airline Gift Cards
Some airlines offer gift cards that can be purchased with cash and then redeemed for plane tickets. For example, Delta Air Lines offers gift cards that can be used for air transportation, including taxes, fees, and surcharges. These gift cards can often be purchased at grocery stores or large retailers and then redeemed on the airline's website when booking a flight. American Airlines also offers gift cards that can be used towards the purchase of tickets.
Flightgift Cards
Flightgift offers a universal airline gift card that can be used with 98% of all flights worldwide, including over 400 international airlines and 980 destinations in 70 countries. You can load cash onto the Flightgift card and then use it to book flights through their website. This option provides flexibility and can be a great gift for travel lovers.
Paysafecash or Fawry
Alternative Airlines offers the option to pay for flights using cash through their voucher/cash payment methods, Paysafecash or Fawry. These methods are available in select countries. When you choose one of these options at checkout, you will be given a unique barcode or reference number. You then take this barcode to a local payment point, where you can pay for your flight in cash.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Some airlines, like Alaska Air, offer the option to convert cash to a prepaid debit card at their airports. For a fee, you can use their kiosks to obtain a prepaid debit card and then use that to purchase your flight. This option is useful if you're at a cashless airport and need a quick solution.
While the landscape of purchasing plane tickets with cash has changed, these options provide alternative methods for those who prefer or need to use cash. It's always a good idea to check with specific airlines or travel agencies about their accepted payment methods and any available alternatives for cash payments.
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Using cash to buy prepaid cards for plane tickets
While most airlines have gone cashless, there are still some workarounds if you want to use cash to buy plane tickets.
One option is to use a prepaid card to book your flight. You can purchase a prepaid card with cash and then use that card to book your flight online or over the phone. For example, in the US, you can buy prepaid cards at grocery stores and large retailers. These cards can be used to purchase plane tickets online or through a travel agent. Revolut is another option. It is a prepaid card geared towards travel that can be loaded from your bank account and does not charge foreign transaction or ATM fees.
Another option is to book your flight through a travel agent. Travel agents often accept cash payments, so you can use this method to purchase a plane ticket with cash.
Additionally, some airlines still accept cash payments at airport ticket counters and travel centres. For example, American Airlines and Alaska Air accept cash payments at some airport locations. Alaska Air also offers ReadySTATION kiosks at cashless airports, where consumers can convert cash to a prepaid debit card to purchase flights. Southwest and JetBlue also accept cash at some international locations.
It is important to note that using cash to purchase plane tickets may be more limited and may require additional steps compared to using other payment methods. It is always a good idea to check the payment methods accepted by the airline and plan accordingly.
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Using cash to pay for plane tickets at convenience stores
While many airlines have transitioned to digital payment methods, some still accept cash purchases for plane tickets, albeit with certain limitations. Generally, a plane ticket can still be bought in cash at most airports, but you’ll have to show a government-issued photo ID, and it must have been issued within six months of your travel date.
American Airlines and United Airlines are among the few large airlines that still take cash at certain airport ticket counters and travel centres. United Airlines, for example, does not accept cash at many airports but allows cash payments at ticket offices outside of airports and select ticket counters. JetBlue Airways accepts Dominican pesos at its Dominican Republic airports and city ticket offices.
If you are unable to pay for your plane ticket in cash at an airport, there are other ways to do so. In the US, several grocery stores and large retailers sell gift cards for various businesses, including airlines. You can also use a prepaid card, such as Revolut, which is geared towards travel. Additionally, Alternative Airlines offers Fawry and Paysafecash as payment methods. With these options, you can generate a unique barcode/reference number that you can take to a local payment point to complete your flight purchase in cash. Fawry is available in Egypt, while Paysafecash is available in 48 countries worldwide.
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Paying for plane tickets in instalments
While most airlines have gone cashless, there are still some that allow you to pay for plane tickets with cash. For instance, American Airlines accepts cash at some airport ticket counters and travel centres. Alaska Air accepts cash in the form of U.S. and Canadian dollars at ticket counters in the U.S. and Canada, and Mexican pesos in Mexico. Additionally, Southwest and JetBlue accept cash at their international locations and in the Dominican Republic, respectively.
If you are looking to pay for your plane tickets in instalments, there are several options available. Firstly, you can consider using a credit card, which allows you to pay for the ticket in monthly instalments with interest. For example, the Costco credit card offers an interest rate of 8%. Alternatively, you can explore travel websites that offer monthly payment plans, such as CheapOair, which partners with financing services like Affirm, Klarna, or Uplift.
Another option is to use a "buy now, pay later" service like Paylater Travel. This platform allows you to secure your seat with a small deposit and then pay the remainder in instalments before you fly. There are no credit checks, hidden fees, or interest charges associated with this service. You can choose to pay in up to 26 weekly instalments, helping you to manage your budget effectively.
Additionally, some airlines like Alternative Airlines offer flexible payment plans. You can select from a variety of financing plans at checkout, such as Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, and Sezzle. These plans allow you to spread the cost of your tickets over time, making your travel experience more financially manageable.
It is important to note that while paying in instalments can make your dream trip more accessible, you should carefully consider your financial situation and the potential impact of interest rates and fees.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airline and your location. Some large airlines, like American Airlines and Alaska Air, still accept cash at some airport ticket counters and travel centres. Other airlines, like Southwest, have stopped accepting cash at their US ticketing counters but accept cash at international locations. Alternative Airlines offers cash payments in 48 countries through Paysafecash, and in Egypt through Fawry.
You can use a debit card, link your bank account to PayPal, or get a prepaid card. You can also look into getting a low-limit credit card and paying it off immediately. Some airlines also offer buy-now-pay-later options, like Affirm, Klarna, and Flex Pay.
Yes, some airlines like KLM accept bank transfers. You will need to refer to the booking confirmation email for instructions on how to pay.
