Lois Larson
Paying for baggage at the airport is a common concern for travellers, especially when it comes to understanding if cash is an accepted form of payment. While some airlines, such as American Airlines, do accept cash at certain locations, many airlines are increasingly moving towards cashless operations, with some airlines, such as Allegiant, Spirit, and JetBlue, not accepting cash at any airport locations. This shift towards cashless transactions often includes the use of credit and debit cards, prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, and other electronic payment methods. It is always a good idea to check with the specific airline and airport beforehand to understand their accepted forms of payment and to be prepared with alternative payment methods if cash is not accepted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cash accepted at airports | Some airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and United accept cash at certain airports, but others like Allegiant, JetBlue, and Spirit do not. |
| Cash accepted for baggage | While cash may be accepted at some airports, it is not always clear if this includes baggage fees. Some sources suggest that credit or debit cards are typically used for baggage payments. |
| Alternative payment methods | Many airlines accept credit and debit cards, including prepaid debit cards. Other options include digital wallets (PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.), gift cards, vouchers, travel credits, and more. |
| Self-service options | Some airports offer self-service kiosks where passengers can weigh and drop off their bags, then proceed to the payment. |
| Weight distribution | To avoid overweight fees, passengers can distribute weight across multiple bags or utilize carry-on luggage allowances. |
| Advance payment | It is generally cheaper to pay for baggage in advance online rather than at the airport. |
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What You'll Learn
Some airlines don't accept cash at all
It is important to note that some airlines do not accept cash at all, including for checked bags and inflight purchases. Allegiant, for example, does not allow cash, checks, or money orders for fares, inflight purchases, or at any airport location. Similarly, JetBlue has implemented a cashless system across all U.S. airports and is working towards converting non-U.S. gateways to cashless operations as well. Other airlines that do not accept cash include Delta, with over 80 cashless airports, Spirit, Southwest, and United, which does not accept cash at many of the airports it serves.
The shift towards cashless transactions by airlines is attributed to several factors. One reason is the issue of theft, as former flight attendant Joshua Zweighaft explained that a significant portion of cash never made it off the plane in its proper envelope. Additionally, the rise of co-brand credit cards offering waived fees for inflight purchases incentivized airlines to adopt cashless systems.
While this trend may be inconvenient for some travelers who prefer using cash, it is essential to be prepared with alternative payment methods when flying with these airlines. Credit and debit cards, including prepaid options, gift cards, vouchers, and digital wallet services like PayPal, Apple Pay, and MasterPass, are widely accepted forms of payment across these airlines.
It is worth noting that some airlines provide options for converting cash to prepaid debit cards, such as JetBlue's ReadyStation kiosks, although there may be associated fees. Additionally, certain airlines, like United, accept cash at ticket offices outside of airports and select ticket counters. Therefore, it is advisable to research the specific policies and accepted payment methods for your chosen airline before traveling to ensure a smooth journey.
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Self-service kiosks are available at some airports
Many airlines no longer accept cash as a form of payment at airports, instead opting for credit and debit cards (including prepaid debit cards), digital wallet services, travel credits, gift cards, vouchers, and PayPal. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, offer ReadyStation kiosks in airport lobbies, allowing passengers to convert cash to prepaid debit cards for purchases, but these often come with a fee.
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It's usually cheaper to pay for baggage online
Many airlines have stopped accepting cash as a form of payment at airports. For example, Allegiant, Spirit, JetBlue, and United are some of the airlines that do not allow cash payments at most of their airports. Delta has designated over 80 airports as cashless, and Southwest no longer accepts cash at its ticketing locations. As a result, it is generally recommended to pay for baggage online, as it can often be cheaper than paying at the airport.
American Airlines, for instance, offers a $5 discount on the first checked bag fee when you pay online through their website or mobile app for travel within and between the U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their standard fees for checked bags within the U.S. are $40 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag, but these fees are reduced to $35 and $45, respectively, when paid online. Additionally, American Airlines allows multiple passengers traveling together with multiple bags on the same reservation to receive the best online bag prices.
Similarly, other airlines may offer discounts or incentives for paying for baggage online. By paying online, you can avoid potential surcharges or higher fees associated with paying at the airport. It is always a good idea to check the airline's website or app to understand their baggage policies and take advantage of any cost savings by paying in advance.
Furthermore, paying for baggage online can save you time and hassle at the airport. Instead of waiting in line at the check-in counter, you can use the online check-in option, where you can conveniently pay for your bags and print your boarding pass beforehand. This not only streamlines your airport experience but also ensures that you secure the desired number of bags at a potentially lower cost.
While some airports may provide alternatives for travellers who prefer to use cash, such as ATM-like machines that convert cash to credit cards, these options may come with additional fees. Therefore, it is generally advisable to opt for online payment methods, such as credit or debit cards, to benefit from potential cost savings and a more seamless travel experience.
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Baggage fees are often higher at the airport
It is always best to check with your airline before travelling to the airport, as some airlines charge for carry-on luggage, and fees can vary depending on the weight of your bag and where you are flying to and from. Many airlines also offer bundles or different fare classes that may include bags, so it is worth checking the airline's website for this information.
Some airlines, such as American Airlines, offer a list of destinations where all customers can check a free bag, so it is worth checking if your destination is included on this list. It is also worth noting that some airlines waive checked bag fees for all customers when travelling to specific areas. For example, American Airlines waives these fees for flights to Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and Japan.
To avoid paying higher fees at the airport, it is advisable to pay for checked bags online within 24 hours of departure, as this can result in significant savings.
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Some airports have machines that convert cash to credit
Many airlines do not allow travelers to pay with cash, checks, or money orders for fares, in-flight purchases, or at any airport location. For example, Allegiant, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, and United are airlines that do not accept cash payments at most of their airports. However, some airports have machines that can convert cash to credit, enabling travelers to make purchases where cash is not accepted.
For instance, JetBlue offers ReadyStation kiosks in airport lobbies, allowing passengers to convert cash to prepaid debit cards for purchases, although there is a $5 fee for this service. Similarly, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport provides cash-to-card machines for travelers who need to convert their cash to a different payment method. Additionally, a user on Reddit mentioned that their airport had an ATM-type machine that took cash and converted it to a credit card for use at the ticket counter.
While cash-to-credit machines can be useful in certain situations, it is worth noting that airport ATMs generally offer unfavorable exchange rates and may charge high fees. Therefore, it is usually more cost-effective to obtain local currency from a bank before traveling or to use a credit or debit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
In summary, while some airports provide machines that convert cash to credit, it is advisable to plan ahead and obtain an alternative form of payment to avoid the high fees and unfavorable exchange rates often associated with airport currency conversions.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airline. Some airlines like Allegiant, Spirit, JetBlue, and Delta do not accept cash at most of their airports. American Airlines accepts cash at some locations.
You can pay for baggage at the check-in counter or at an automated kiosk. Some airports also have self-service kiosks where you can pay and then take your bag to the bag drop.
Yes, most airlines accept debit cards as a form of payment for baggage.
Yes, most airlines accept credit cards as a form of payment for baggage. However, some airlines like Allegiant do not accept credit cards for baggage payment.
Yes, some airlines like Delta and JetBlue accept prepaid debit cards as a form of payment for baggage.
