Airlines That Still Take Cash
Written by
Catherine Collins
Edited by
Maria Concepcion
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
In the past, consumers could purchase airline tickets using cash at most airline counters in the United States. Similarly, passengers could use cash to purchase beverages and snacks on board. These days, however, the vast majority of airlines have gone cashless, a move some people praise. However, there are also drawbacks.
Not every consumer can access bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards. In fact, Fast Company reports, “There are at least six million people in the U.S. and almost 1.5 billion worldwide who are unbanked.” The Federal Reserve reported, “Seventeen percent of adults with income below $25,000 were unbanked compared with 1 percent of adults with income of $50,000 to $99,999.”
Unbanked means an individual doesn’t have access to a bank account. And, the data shows that those who are low income are disproportionately affected when airlines decide to go cashless. However, there are still some holdouts. Here are the U.S. airlines that still take cash.
American Airlines
American Airlines is one of the only large airlines that still takes cash at some airport ticket counters and travel centers. However, their website says “some” airport ticket counters, so this varies by location.
Alaska Air
Alaska Air’s website says they accept U.S. and Canadian dollars at ticket counters in the U.S. and Canada. It also says that only Mexican pesos are accepted at the ticketing counter in Mexico.
Alaska Air also has a solution for customers who want to pay cash at a cashless airport. They have ReadySTATION kiosks in those airports, where for a fee of $5, consumers can convert cash to a prepaid debit card that they can use to purchase flights.
Southwest
Although Southwest stopped accepting cash at their U.S. ticketing counters, the airline still accepts cash at their international locations.
JetBlue
Although JetBlue does not accept cash for reservations at most airports, its website states that it does accept Dominican pesos at its Dominican Republic airports and city ticket offices.
More From GOBankingRates
