AA says no to cash onboard
#46
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
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Posts: 5,587
I flew WN on SLC-STL in early December and the pax next to me did not know they were only accepting CCs and wanted to pay by cash. I understand many of us FTers have CCs (and many of them) but how many grown adults in this country do not have some sort of credit/debit/check card that they could use to pay? Anyway, the FA went ahead and comped his Bloody Mary. It will be interesting to see when flying Y how many people don't know about the change or have a CC they are willing to charge on the plane.
I remember reading in the new when US started charging for water and other non-alcoholic beverages, that the FAs would be allowed to comp for customers who did not have cash. I don't think US accepts CC though.
I remember reading in the new when US started charging for water and other non-alcoholic beverages, that the FAs would be allowed to comp for customers who did not have cash. I don't think US accepts CC though.
#47
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
I flew WN on SLC-STL in early December and the pax next to me did not know they were only accepting CCs and wanted to pay by cash. I understand many of us FTers have CCs (and many of them) but how many grown adults in this country do not have some sort of credit/debit/check card that they could use to pay? Anyway, the FA went ahead and comped his Bloody Mary. It will be interesting to see when flying Y how many people don't know about the change or have a CC they are willing to charge on the plane.
I remember reading in the new when US started charging for water and other non-alcoholic beverages, that the FAs would be allowed to comp for customers who did not have cash. I don't think US accepts CC though.
I remember reading in the new when US started charging for water and other non-alcoholic beverages, that the FAs would be allowed to comp for customers who did not have cash. I don't think US accepts CC though.
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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AA is still better than UA where it varies on the route whether they take cash or CC.
For example I remembe that on LAX-JFK (P.S.) they only accept CC and on all other flights it's plain cash.
For example I remembe that on LAX-JFK (P.S.) they only accept CC and on all other flights it's plain cash.
#49
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Ex Platinum, Hillton Gold, Marriot Silver, United 2P
Posts: 181
If people had the basic consideration for the FA to either have correct change or not order (or the basic sense to know they are on an airliner not in a bank) this would not be coming up. Why do I think the big problem isn't taking cash, but the whole change for a $20 x 10 or 15 rodeo?
#50
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: Grounded
Posts: 669
While I like the idea of credit card machines, in my brief experience with it they seemed to be troublesome devices. Big honking Windows Mobile device that crashed hard when trying to print my receipt, and then took 2 FAs 10 minutes to figure out how to reprint because of a terrible interface.
I'm sure it's worth it to the airline anyway (esp if the ^^^ post is true), but these things aren't without their own faults.
I'm sure it's worth it to the airline anyway (esp if the ^^^ post is true), but these things aren't without their own faults.
#51
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
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Posts: 5,587
I hope AA considers accepting CCs on American Eagle/Connection as well for BOB. I think for customers connecting from an AE to an AA flight (or vice versa) it will be confusing to have one segment only accept cash while another only accepts CCs. But again, 90% of the pax on AE don't know/think its any different (just a really small MD-80 perhaps).
Does anyone else see this being a problem?
Does anyone else see this being a problem?
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
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I pay with my CC for most things anyways. Most everyone has at least a debit card with the V/MC capabilities. Unfortunately there are shifty employees everywhere that like to skim off the top, this would prevent that hopefully.
#53
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DC Metro (WAS--DCA/IAD/BWI)
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, OW Sapphire, QF Bronze, Marriott Silver, Starwood Gold; National Emerald
Posts: 2,533
More than a year ago, I didn't have my boarding pass for the return flights from the start, and the TA didn't check me all the way through because I didn't tell them to (MR with immediate turnaround on same equipment!). Due to de-icing in DFW, the flight was an hour late into OAK, and as far as that gate was concerned, I was a no-show and they gave me exit row aisle seat away! I did manage to get on the very full flight, several rows farther back and in the middle!
where the guy next to me had only a limited amount of cash, my helpful statement that the FAs can use a credit card was a BIG MISTAKE, as then that added quite a few more drinks for him. And he was a talker with alcohol in his system.
I would prefer more limitation.
Steve
where the guy next to me had only a limited amount of cash, my helpful statement that the FAs can use a credit card was a BIG MISTAKE, as then that added quite a few more drinks for him. And he was a talker with alcohol in his system.
I would prefer more limitation.
Steve
#54
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
More than a year ago, I didn't have my boarding pass for the return flights from the start, and the TA didn't check me all the way through because I didn't tell them to (MR with immediate turnaround on same equipment!). Due to de-icing in DFW, the flight was an hour late into OAK, and as far as that gate was concerned, I was a no-show and they gave me exit row aisle seat away! I did manage to get on the very full flight, several rows farther back and in the middle!
where the guy next to me had only a limited amount of cash, my helpful statement that the FAs can use a credit card was a BIG MISTAKE, as then that added quite a few more drinks for him. And he was a talker with alcohol in his system.
I would prefer more limitation.
Steve
where the guy next to me had only a limited amount of cash, my helpful statement that the FAs can use a credit card was a BIG MISTAKE, as then that added quite a few more drinks for him. And he was a talker with alcohol in his system.
I would prefer more limitation.
Steve
sorry about the SNAFU putting you in a really lousy seat. hope you had noise canceling headphones with you.
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: HKG/LHR/JFK
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One of the added possibilities here will be very good for elites--remember your shiny cards are also swipable. (And I refer to a post by a knowledgeable poster made on another site that something similar is being considered.)^
#56
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
you can swipe my brand new shiny black EXP card when you pry it from my cold dead fingers
#57
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), Marriott Tit
Posts: 1,036
Gonna be interesting on LATAM routes
I just flew MIA-LIM, and it occurred to me that going cashless, along with going BOB, could be a real problem on these routes. I imaging that there are a lot of PAX on these routes that don't have a credit or debit card.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Those situations present nearby card-enabled passengers to do something nice, or to seize a profit from one's misery, depending on one's values.
#59
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
More than a year ago, I didn't have my boarding pass for the return flights from the start, and the TA didn't check me all the way through because I didn't tell them to (MR with immediate turnaround on same equipment!). Due to de-icing in DFW, the flight was an hour late into OAK, and as far as that gate was concerned, I was a no-show and they gave me exit row aisle seat away! I did manage to get on the very full flight, several rows farther back and in the middle!
where the guy next to me had only a limited amount of cash, my helpful statement that the FAs can use a credit card was a BIG MISTAKE, as then that added quite a few more drinks for him. And he was a talker with alcohol in his system.
where the guy next to me had only a limited amount of cash, my helpful statement that the FAs can use a credit card was a BIG MISTAKE, as then that added quite a few more drinks for him. And he was a talker with alcohol in his system.
#60
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
That's probably one reason why these routes aren't going cashless. According to AA.com, this applies to "U.S. Domestic And Canada Flights".