[ixtoc]

I was just notified in my mileage statement that only passengers that have credit or debit cards can purchase in-flight food or amenities. Last time I looked , the U.S.Dollar was legal tender in the USA. This airline probably has a license to engage in trade, but only with those who have the proper economic credentials....Would they take my cash if I was buying a ticket...? Darn right they would. Are they saying our money is no good ... only in the air...? Is this legal...?

[Corbel]

why would it not be leagal? its just easier for the flight attendants for passengers to use credit cards. alot of times there is no change for the flight attendants to give back to you right away (buying a $2 can of pop with a $10 bill). its just easier this way to eliminate the cash on board and paperwork to turn in when they get back into the base. thats all it is. if you dont like it, use your cash and by a bottle of water or pop in the airport.

[ixtoc]

Corbel...I think you missed the point. When a business is issued a license to do business they are required to obey the laws of that state. The money I use says that this note is LEGAL tender for all debts public and private. Alaska airlines feels that money is not acceptable for debts incurred while on board. It's obvious that Alaska can dictate policy over-riding what my goverment says and what the federal reserve says.I fully understand that its easier for the flight attendants to not handle money etc....that is not the point.. In these times of diminishing revenues they should be bending over backwards to provide sterling service to the flying public, to ensure they get repeat business. What would you do if you went to your local supermarket and was faced with the same poorly thought out and mis guided policy...? You would be shopping where they do give you the option of paying with greenbacks.

[Silent Bob]

making a comparison of a supermarket to air travel, is not a fair comparison because supermarkets have registers at their disposal and the ability to refill their change coffers if the need arises. By your logic we can also say what if you went to an online shop, they have an item you need, but they only take cash rather than credit cards and the place where they are based, is in california and... your in Maine. You'd be angry because they won't take your card. honestly? I wish more airlines have credit card machines on board rather than taking cash, especially on international travel, where they offer duty free on the plane.

But you have to look at things from the airline perspective; why are they stating only credit/debit cards for purchase? Many reasons if you think about it, employee theft is one, money getting misplaced or mishandled is another, what if you give them a 20 for a 12 dollar meal and they only have 4 dollars in change to give back? Now they have to scrounge around asking other passengers for it.

I understand the point you are trying to make, it sucks when you give your patronage to a company and they tell you, your paper money is no good here. But we are entering a paperless generation where plastic is choice amongst form of payments people wish to use. there are even hotels that will only take credit cards and no cash whats so ever. remember the days when you could leave a cash deposit for a room? Not many places do that anymore. No reason why the airlines wouldn't follow suit.

[Gromit801]

Originally Posted by ixtoc

Corbel...I think you missed the point. When a business is issued a license to do business they are required to obey the laws of that state.

No, actually they are required to obey the FAA. Airlines are federally regulated, not state.

[Leatherboy2006]

Also many business post that they do not take bills over $20, isn't a 50 or 100 bill still legal tender? I don't blame the airlines at all for going to credit cards less hassle for everyone.
The mention of the state laws, does that mean the state the airline is based out of, the state they are flying over, the state they left from, the state they are going to or the state the passengar is from, so the point that ixtoc is mentioning could get really sticky?
As a resident of texas would flying on Alaska from say seattle to nyc whose laws would apply, in ixtocs I would want Texas's laws the poor flight attendants would have to carry volumes of books on every states laws.

[abutterfinger25]

Letherboy is correct. Individual states do not have the ability to make laws the influence the operation of the airline industry for just this reason. Look at the recent attempt by New York to create a "passenger bill of rights" for flights operating out of New York airports. The law was struck down by the US District Court of Appeals.

While Ixtoc is correct that the dollar is legal tender, If a company or business is not in position to to handle cash transactions, they don't have to. If forced, carriers will just suspend this service and folks would be complaining about not being able to purchase anything on board the aircraft.

[scubaluvr]

It is surprising to me how many people are okay with the airlines seemingly umlimited ability to make flying more and more of a nightmare! So they charge more for baggage and thats okay, we deal with it. They cancel flights when they are not overbooked and thats okay we live with it. But not even accepting exact cash for in-flight services! C'mon. We scrafice more and more money time and service everyday when it comes to the airlines and we do it cuz we have no choice. But not accepting legal tender in the exact amount is outrageous.
Why should i have to use my credit card to feed my children or get a drink on a plane? I prefer to use the good ole american dollar. I do not wish to incur credit card debt or fees. I also do not wish to have my every transaction recorded in someone's database.
But your right, its no big deal for the airlines to inconvience us in one more way. Just bend over and take it!

[Gromit801]

That's funny. The flying public has brought all of this on themselves, and they keep blaming the airlines.

The flying public demands low fares. Airlines in an attempt to stay competitive give them that. Well, to keep low fares, something else has to give.

You don't want credit card debt, then use your debit card. If your bank is charging a debit card fee, use a different bank. Every single thing everyone is griping about, is because the public wants what they want first, and that's low fares. And right now they're almost lower that the airlines can sustain. Just had another carrier go out of business last week.

Right now, Alaska is looking at layoffs. People are going to be losing jobs. But you didn't get your free in flight meal, or you can't pay cash.

Boo Hoo.

[azstar]

I was checking in for a Frontier flight last week and a guy in line was loudly proclaiming that it was cheaper to fly than take the bus; plus Greyhounds extra bag charge is $50.00, vs $25.00 on the airline. So, you can take 3 days on the bus or fly in a couple hours. By the way, you don't get free beverages on the bus.

[Leatherboy2006]

and people on here think the bathrooms on the planes are bad and filthy.....just try one on Greyhound and also compare greyhound terminals to airports for being clean and safe.

[Corbel]

i dont understand (and i dont know why it bugs me so much, but it does), that you sit in the airport from 1 and a 1/2 hours to 2 hours waiting for your flight, you board the plane, put your stuff away and head for the restrooms...the bathrooms in the airport are more comfortable and probably cleaner than the restrooms on the plane. why not use the restrooms in the airport right before you board. then your sitting in row 5 but you can only use the restroom in back because your in coach and not in first class, so now you hold up boarding because the person in row 15 cant get past you because you had to use the restroom, now were delayed but somehow its the airlines fault because people had to stop boarding so that passenger in row 5 can get to his seat. or