Airports And Cash: Baggage Fee Payment Options

Many airlines and airports have moved towards a cashless system, which has raised the question of whether airports accept cash for baggage. While some airports still accept cash, many have designated themselves as cashless stations and do not accept cash from customers. This shift towards a cashless system has been attributed to issues with theft and the convenience of credit card payments. As a result, passengers are encouraged to use credit or debit cards for any baggage-related fees, and some airports even provide kiosks where customers can purchase prepaid credit cards.

Delta Air Lines has designated over 80 airports as cashless

• Dublin, Ireland (DUB)
• Edmonton, Canada (YEG)
• Halifax, Canada (YHZ)
• Monterrey, Mexico (MTY)
• Montreal, Canada (YUL)
• Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
• Vancouver, Canada (YVR)

Other cashless airports include Chicago - Midway (MDW), Chicago - Ohare (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Daytona Beach, FL (DAB), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston - Hobby (HOU), Houston - Bush (IAH), Kansas City, MO (MCI), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU), Salt Lake City (SLC), San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), Washington D.C. - Dulles (IAD), Washington D.C. - Reagan National (DCA), and West Palm Beach (PBI).

Delta accepts credit and debit cards (including prepaid debit cards via airport lobby kiosks), Delta eCredits for online purchases or purchases made at ticketing locations, PayPal for flights from the U.S. booked online, Alipay for flights departing the U.S. or China, and instant bank transfers for flights to select European countries.

For customers without an accepted form of payment, Delta offers the option to purchase a prepaid credit card from a kiosk provided by a third-party vendor for a small fee.

JetBlue has a cashless system across the US and some non-US airports

At the airport ticket offices that do accept cash, payments must be made in local currency. JetBlue also offers ReadyStation kiosks in airport lobbies, which allow passengers to convert cash to prepaid debit cards for purchases, although there is a $5 fee for this service.

As a low-cost airline, JetBlue serves a range of destinations across the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, with most of its operations within the eastern United States.

Allegiant does not accept cash, checks or money orders at airports

Allegiant Air does not accept cash, checks, or money orders at airports or on flights. This is in line with other airlines, such as Delta, American Airlines, and JetBlue, which have also adopted a cashless policy at certain airports.

Allegiant Air does, however, accept credit cards, points, vouchers, and Uplift (for select flights) as forms of payment. It is recommended that passengers book in advance through the Allegiant Air website or customer call center. Same-day travel tickets may be purchased at the airport ticket counter, depending on availability.

Southwest no longer accepts cash at ticketing locations

Southwest Airlines offers four types of fares: Business Select®, Anytime, Wanna Get Away+®, and Wanna Get Away®. While the airline does not accept cash at ticketing locations, it does allow customers to pay for flights using a combination of cash and Rapid Rewards® points. This payment method is called Cash + Points and is available to all Rapid Rewards® Members. Cash + Points can be used for all four types of Southwest Airlines fares.

Additionally, Southwest Airlines offers two free checked bags, no change fees, and free inflight entertainment for all fares. The airline also provides a military fare for active-duty U.S. military members and their authorized dependents.

For customers who need to pay with cash, some airports provide cash-to-card kiosks. These kiosks allow customers to convert cash into a prepaid debit card that can be used for fees at airline ticket counters or anywhere that accepts Mastercard or Visa. Southwest Florida International Airport, for example, has a ReadySTATION kiosk located in the Ticketing Hall. The cost of buying a card at an airport kiosk is typically $5, and cards can be loaded with up to $1,000.

It is worth noting that some airlines and airports are designated as "cashless" and do not accept cash from customers. For example, all Delta airport locations within the U.S. are cashless, and select international Delta airport locations, such as Dublin, Ireland (DUB), Edmonton, Canada (YEG), and Montreal, Canada (YUL), are also cashless.

Spirit does not accept cash at most airports

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with the guidelines, Spirit Airlines has stopped accepting cash payments at most airports. This means that, at most airports, you can no longer pay with cash at the Spirit counter, office, or airport gate.

Spirit Airlines has implemented this change to create a faster and more efficient airport experience for its guests. In addition to cash, Spirit also does not accept traveller's checks, certified (cashier's) checks, money orders, or PayPal as a form of payment.

Spirit Airlines does, however, accept multiple other payment methods, including credit and debit cards from all major banks and brands such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. They also accept prepaid cards, which can be purchased at the airport by converting cash into a prepaid debit card. Most airports have cash conversion kiosks available for a $5 charge at domestic locations and a $6 charge at international locations.

It is important to note that Spirit only supports one card at a time for making payments. Therefore, if you wish to book a flight, ensure that your debit or credit card has sufficient funds to cover the entire cost.

For the latest information and updates on Spirit's payment methods, it is recommended to contact Spirit Airlines customer service.

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