Claiming Crypto At Airports: A Guide To Navigating Customs

Cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used to book flights, hotels, and other travel services. The travel industry is one of the few places where you can easily utilise your coins and tokens. While Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not widely accepted for travel, there are a few airlines and websites that have started to accept digital currencies as a form of payment. Airlines and online travel agencies that accept crypto include Alternative Airlines, airBaltic, CheapAir.com, Destinia, Travala, and more.

Crypto-friendly travel platforms

Travala

Travala is a blockchain-based travel booking platform that allows users to book flights, hotels, and experiences using various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and their native AVA token. Travala offers a wide range of travel options through its partnerships with major travel service providers. Its user-friendly interface and tokenized incentives make it a popular choice for crypto-friendly travellers.

CheapAir

CheapAir was one of the first online travel agencies to accept cryptocurrency payments, starting with Bitcoin in 2013. Since then, it has expanded to include Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. CheapAir offers a comprehensive booking experience, allowing travellers to book flights, hotels, and car rentals globally while enjoying affordable rates and unparalleled customer support.

Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS)

Expedia, a well-known travel brand, has entered the crypto space through its partnership with Travala. EPS leverages the Travala platform to provide crypto-payment options for booking hotels. This collaboration enables Travala users to access Expedia's extensive inventory, combining convenience with cutting-edge payment technology.

Destinia

Destinia is a global online travel agency that allows users to book flights, hotels, cars, trains, airport transfers, and vacation packages. It is one of the first travel agencies to abundantly accept Bitcoin as a payment method. Destinia offers competitive prices and a flexible payment portal, making it a popular choice for crypto enthusiasts.

Bitcoin.travel

Bitcoin.travel is a travel agency specialising in cryptocurrency payments. The platform is straightforward, providing direct links to service providers for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. While it operates on a smaller scale compared to giants like Travala, Bitcoin.travel is highly valued by the crypto community for its commitment to blockchain technology.

Alternative Airlines

Alternative Airlines is another travel platform that has integrated crypto payment options, attracting many customers. The platform accepts cryptocurrency bookings for flights from over 600 global airlines, with payments supported in over 100 cryptocurrencies through payment providers like Utrust, Crypto.com, and CoinGate.

Ariva.World

Ariva.World is a decentralised travel and tourism portal that connects travellers with service providers based on previous travellers' experiences and feedback. Ariva.World accepts payments in over 50 different cryptocurrencies and offers an online shop and a travel review blog that rewards contributors with crypto.

Berkeley Travel

Berkeley Travel is the first luxury travel company to accept Bitcoin as a payment method. It offers flexible pricing and understands that its customers may use multiple currencies. Berkeley Travel is committed to innovation and technological advancement, ensuring it stays at the forefront of the industry.

ETravelSmart

ETravelSmart is an online bus ticket booking portal in India that has partnered with Unicoin to accept Bitcoin payments. As the Indian population embraces cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, eTravelSmart is leading the way by being the first website to offer crypto payments for bus ticket bookings.

These crypto-friendly travel platforms offer travellers the convenience of booking their trips using their preferred cryptocurrencies, providing a seamless and secure payment experience.

Crypto debit cards

Crypto.com Visa Card

The Crypto.com Visa Card is a prepaid card that can be topped up using bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or the Crypto Wallet. It offers benefits such as CRO Rewards on everyday and travel spending, phone and chat support, private account management, subscription rebates, and free ATM withdrawals. The card is available in different tiers, with varying benefits and requirements. For example, the Midnight Blue card is available without the need for a Cardholder CRO Stake or CRO Lockup, while the Royal Indigo, Jade Green, and Frosted Rose Gold cards require a CRO stake or lockup of varying amounts for a period of 365 days.

Coinbase Card

The Coinbase Card is a Visa debit card that turns your everyday purchases into crypto rewards. It is integrated with your Coinbase account and offers cashback rewards in different cryptocurrencies. There are no annual or transaction fees, and users can spend cash or crypto anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted worldwide. Coinbase will automatically convert all cryptocurrency to US Dollars for purchases and ATM withdrawals. The card is currently available for all Coinbase customers in the US, except Hawaii, with plans to expand eligibility in the future.

Wirex Crypto Debit Card

The Wirex crypto debit card offers some of the highest cashback rewards in the industry, ranging from 0.5% to 8% depending on the pricing plan. It is available in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, and has no monthly, annual, or usage fees. Users can withdraw up to $250 for free via ATM each month, with a 2% fee thereafter. However, it is important to note that rewards can only be received in WXT, Wirex's native cryptocurrency.

BitPay Debit Card

The BitPay MasterCard debit card is issued by Metropolitan Commercial Bank and is currently only available for American residents. It has relatively low fees for domestic use, with a 2% transaction fee, a 1% deposit fee, and a $2.50 ATM deposit fee. There is no conversion fee, but there is a $5 inactivity fee if the card is not used for 90 days. BitPay has been operating since 2011 and has an in-built exchange that allows users to buy and sell crypto.

Nexo Card

The Nexo Card is the first exchange to offer a unique credit and debit card in one. It can be used in Debit Mode, which operates like a normal debit card, or Credit Mode, which gives you access to a credit line with your assets as collateral. The card offers cashback rewards between 0.1% and 2%, with slightly higher rewards for NEXO tokens. It also offers up to 14% interest on your account balance. The Nexo Card is accessible to anyone with a verified Nexo account and a portfolio of over $50, with physical cards available for portfolios of $500 or more. It is currently available in the UK and the EU, but not in the United States.

Crypto-friendly local vendors

In San Francisco, you'll find over 60 Bitcoin ATMs and more than 200 companies that accept crypto payments, including restaurants and bars such as Curry Up Now, Pizza Patrón, and Spirito's Italian Diner. The city also allows you to use cryptocurrencies at shopping centres, cafes, nightclubs, and hotels.

Berlin, Germany, is another great destination for crypto enthusiasts. The city boasts around 100 crypto-friendly bars, restaurants, and apartments, including Lieferheld for pizza and Leuchtstoff Kaffee Bar for coffee. Other German cities like Frankfurt, Hanover, and Munich are also becoming more crypto-friendly.

Ljubljana, Slovenia, is home to the world's first Bitcoin-friendly shopping centre, 'Bitcoin City', with over 500 retail stores and more than 200 merchants accepting cryptocurrencies.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, has over 130 organisations that accept crypto as a payment method, and you can even use Bitcoin to pay for your cab fares, coffee, meals, and drinks at restaurants.

Tokyo, Japan, has more than 100 crypto-friendly companies and a dozen Bitcoin ATMs. You can visit crypto-friendly bars and restaurants like Nikugatou, the first Japanese-style BBQ restaurant in the world to accept digital currencies, or the Hackers Bar, which attracts the city's top tech innovators.

Malta, also known as the 'Blockchain Island', has laid out laws to facilitate crypto trading for over a dozen companies. While exploring Malta, you can dine at trendy restaurants like Dinner in the Sky, book a tennis class, or even pay for a cab, all using Bitcoin.

Additionally, several airports around the world, such as London Heathrow (LHR), Singapore Changi (SIN), Dubai International (DXB), Tokyo Haneda (HND), Sydney (SYD), and New York JFK (JFK), accept crypto.com for lounge access.

Crypto gift cards

Step 1: Choose a Platform

Select a reputable platform that offers crypto gift cards, such as Coinsbee, Bitrefill, or CoinGate. These platforms allow you to buy gift cards for various travel services using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more.

Step 2: Select Your Gift Card

Browse through the platform's selection of gift cards. You can find gift cards for airlines, hotels, online travel agencies, and other travel-related services. Make sure the gift card you choose is supported in your country.

Step 3: Choose Your Cryptocurrency

After selecting the gift card, you will need to choose your preferred cryptocurrency for payment. Most platforms offer a wide range of options, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Binance Pay, Dogecoin, and many others.

Step 4: Complete the Purchase

Follow the platform's instructions to complete the purchase. You will typically need to select the gift card amount and provide your cryptocurrency wallet information or scan a QR code to make the payment. The digital gift card code will usually be delivered to your email address shortly after a successful transaction.

Step 5: Redeem the Gift Card

Once you have received your gift card code, you can use it to book your travel. Simply go to the website of the travel service provider and enter the gift card code during the checkout process. This will allow you to pay for your flights, hotel stays, or other travel bookings with your crypto gift card.

By following these steps, you can easily use crypto gift cards to claim your cryptocurrency when booking travel. It is a secure and convenient way to utilise your digital assets for real-world travel experiences, taking advantage of the benefits that cryptocurrencies offer, such as lower fees, global accessibility, and protection from currency exchange fluctuations.

Crypto insurance

The world's first company dedicated solely to crypto insurance is Evertas, which is backed by Lloyd's of London. Evertas offers policies designed by crypto natives and provides coverage worldwide. Their policies protect a wide range of customers, including mining operations, crypto custodians, exchanges, investment funds, and family offices. Evertas also offers protection against losses of up to $10 million due to technology errors and up to $360 million against physical damage to mining hardware.

Another company offering crypto insurance is Canopius, which provides digital asset protection for clients. They work closely with their clients to develop transparent relationships and offer tailored coverage options to meet their evolving needs. Canopius's insurance solutions cover risks such as unauthorised access to digital wallets, cyberattacks on cryptocurrency exchanges, fraudulent transactions, and errors in transactions.

The cost of crypto insurance can vary depending on factors such as the amount of coverage needed, the type of cryptocurrency assets being insured, the level of risk, and the specific terms and conditions of the policy. While crypto insurance can provide peace of mind and financial security, it's important to note that it may not cover all potential losses associated with holding and trading digital assets.

Frequently asked questions