Paying Cash for Drinks on Planes
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: IAH
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Paying Cash for Drinks on Planes
Today on an early AM flight from DSM to DFW the individual in the window seat ordered a beer. I was on the aisle seat. The FA attendant told him they dont take cash. He said he had no credit card. He had opened the beer. It would have been interesting what they would have done. I bailed him out by paying for it. Once we got in the terminal he gave me the 7 bucks. Obviously he doesnt travel often
Its been several years since cash was accepted on any US flight I have been on. Have seen it on foreign carriers.
Does anyone remember when cabins became cashless.
Its been several years since cash was accepted on any US flight I have been on. Have seen it on foreign carriers.
Does anyone remember when cabins became cashless.
#2
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Cashless onboard sales have existed for quite a while on mainline AA.
I'm betting what you did is what typically happens. The FAs just ask a nearby passenger to swipe his/her card, and then the cardless person hands the cash to the good samaritan. The best part is that the good samaritan earns points for it!
I'm betting what you did is what typically happens. The FAs just ask a nearby passenger to swipe his/her card, and then the cardless person hands the cash to the good samaritan. The best part is that the good samaritan earns points for it!
Last edited by ESpen36; Apr 30, 17 at 10:23 pm
#3
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I may be confusing with DL Connection, but i thought American Eagle flights only took cash. At least on the last one I was one that is what they announced.
#4
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#5
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(and of course, Envoy is the new name for MQ)
#7
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Right, but they follow whatever policy the contracted airline tells them. On DL Connection carriers, flights with a FC cabin take credit cards. Planes without one are cash only. The actual regional flying doesnt matter. They simply follow DL instructions. AFAIK American Eagle carriers are all cash only in my limited experience.
#8
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#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
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Cashless onboard sales have existed for quite a while on mainline AA.
I'm betting what you did is what typically happens. The FAs just ask a nearby passenger to swipe his/her card, and then the cardless person hands the cash to the good samaritan. The best part is that the good samaritan earns points for it!
I'm betting what you did is what typically happens. The FAs just ask a nearby passenger to swipe his/her card, and then the cardless person hands the cash to the good samaritan. The best part is that the good samaritan earns points for it!

It's nice to be a good Samaritan, but if they refuse to pay (nasty people DO exist), YOU are stuck for the tab.

#10
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#11
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#14
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[One possibility, the pax had a $100 bill say. OP couldn't make change on the plane, so had to wait to get to the terminal.]
Last edited by nrr; May 1, 17 at 4:08 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
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Well I went to Iowa. The guy was wearing a bunch of Iowa gear. A fellow Hawkeye I figured he was good for it. His wallet was in his bag in overhead on a full flight. Lot of trouble to get to. Now if he had stiffed me I would have made some comment like "I guess your integrity is worth 7 bucks". 7 wouldnt have killed me. Hey I got 7 miles on United. Every mile counts.
What kills me is how anyone can travel without a credit card. Hard to rent a car or check into a hotel. A young guy who used to work for me(he was subsequently laid off in a cutback) checked into a hotel for a conference with a debit card. He was a recent graduate and had a low limit credit card that was maxed out. I told him not to do that anymore as they would put a hold on his card and once we got home it would take a week or two for him to be reimbursed. Just inexperience thats all.
What kills me is how anyone can travel without a credit card. Hard to rent a car or check into a hotel. A young guy who used to work for me(he was subsequently laid off in a cutback) checked into a hotel for a conference with a debit card. He was a recent graduate and had a low limit credit card that was maxed out. I told him not to do that anymore as they would put a hold on his card and once we got home it would take a week or two for him to be reimbursed. Just inexperience thats all.