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Comments (9)
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Save/ShareSince last week, Southwest Airlines no longer accepts cash for purchases mid-flight. Only credit or debit cards are accepted. Analyst Henry Harteveldt shares with The Big Money his prediction that all major U.S. airlines will have cashless flights within a year.
Why? It's faster, it reduces theft, and it encourages passengers to spend as much as 50 percent more.
Have an opinion? Feel free to post a comment.
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Finally, an airline change that I don't really hate. I've seen how long it takes to make change for passengers (we all seem to only have twenties when get on a plane).
And I'm usually short of cash on return flights.
Posted By Anabel on September 15, 2008, 4:08 PM
I've gone hungry on flights where I've flown coach because I didn't have enough cash on me to buy the $6 sandwich. I think this is a good change. Alaska Airlines has gone to this cashless system as well plus they give airline miles for purchases mad onboard the flight.
Posted By Irene on September 16, 2008, 12:16 AM
I don't agree with Anabel and Irene. I think it would be a good change if it were an OPTION to use credit or debit cards, but not when it's mandatory. What travelers want are more choices, not more rules.
Posted By Phil on September 18, 2008, 12:25 PM
AA had this requirement on my flgiht last week as well. I'm with Phil on this one - give us an option. And if you really want everyone to use plastic increase the price of everything by $1 and thne offer a discount of $1 off if you use plastic. Use the carrot , not the stick. Duh.
Posted By Craig on September 18, 2008, 12:39 PM
My 13-year-old sister flies Southwest regularly between Philly and Jacksonville, FL. She doesn't yet have a credit/debit card. Shocking, I know. :) I guess we'll just have to make sure to buy her some snacks at the gate since she'll be without options while in-flight.
Posted By Aviva on September 18, 2008, 1:07 PM
Aviva, we flew on Southwest just this past weekend. The charge is not for snacks or non-alcoholic beverages. Those are complimentary on SW as they have always been. But if you want to buy beer, wine or other alcoholic drinks then you must use a credit card, debit card or SW coupons. This change would have no effect on a 13 year old passenger.
Posted By Betty on September 18, 2008, 1:31 PM
Airlines are just like the Federal Government....
Since when has the Federal Government or for that matter airlines ran any program successfully with out it costing a bunch of money to the consumer.
Posted By Bill on September 18, 2008, 1:44 PM
This becomes a problem when you are sending an unaccompanied minor on a flight. I'd prefer not to give my 13 year my credit card but don't want to make it impossible for her to buy lunch or rent a DVD player. I think the choice should be between a credit card or the absolute exact amount of cash.
Posted By Karen Brodsky on September 19, 2008, 2:21 AM
I flew United's new nonstop from Denver to Heathrow (London) last summer and they charged for wine with the meal. I'd never heard of paying for drinks on an overseas flight before. They did take cash; the meal itself was free as usual and quite good. (SAS on the way back from Stockholm to Chicago had free wine and meals, though the good seat I'd reserved evaporated and I got stuck with one over the wing which was quite annoying).
Posted By Roger Williams on November 24, 2008, 11:39 PM