United Moves to Contactless Payments Aboard Flights
The Chicago-based carrier is quietly moving away from taking cash and plastic aboard flights, and instead is only accepting in-flight payments using their mobile app.
Physical Payments Get Grounded for App Payment
Under their new plan, United is turning their app into the exclusive payment option for future flights. Before flyers board their next flight, they will need to save a payment method to their profiule While credit cards are preferred, registered PayPal users on select flights will be able to use their account to make purchases.
There are four ways flyers can add a payment method to their app. Members of the United MileagePlus program can save a payment form to their account either by logging into the United website or app and can use it across flights. MileagePlus flyers can also use their reward miles to make in-flight purchases.
Those who don’t want to attach a payment option to their MileagePlus account (or don’t have a frequent flyer account with United) can add a credit or debit card to their flight profile at check-in. United allows flyers to save a card while checking in on the United app or United.com. If flyers don’t decide to add a card at check-in, flyers will still have one final chance to add a payment plan after check-in through their smartphone app.
The card remains on file for a period of time determined by the user. For those who choose to add a card at or after check-in, United will only keep the information in their systems for the duration of the checked flight and will be removed within 12 hours of arrival. Travelers who decide to add their card to their MileagePlus profile will be able to use them across all United flights without the need to re-add information between trips. All receipts will be available on the United website.
United Moves to Make All Services Available on the App
The shift to going all digital is part of a bigger shift by United to put nearly every flyer resource in their smartphones. In 2021, the carrier added live customer support to their app, accessible by scanning a QR code at select airport locations.
They took cash away years ago and I sort of got that but the not accepting CCs I think is a bit too far. Just had friends who were not savy with UA fly from DEN to KOA, not a short flight, told that because they didn't set up there CC in the app they couldn't purchase anything. They were given some water and nothing else (maybe they threw some peanuts at them). While this may be "old news" for some it is not.
No problem! They don't sell anything that I would consider purchasing. That includes tickets.
This is how Cortez works 9or doesn't work). All he does is parrot weeks old stories that he's heard of. I don't think that he has written a current story in a few years. And he gets paid for it. Nice job!
this is very old news
you still need to enter your PW on these filty pads
You need to read the article again or take some English lessons because all is about contactless method.
Not sure what you are talking about. You enter your card information in your UA profile, or on the app on your phone, and that's all (unless you want to use the kiosk at the airport). You don't touch the FA device - they typically just enter the seat info, and sometimes confirm your name, and that's it.
huh?