You may think you need a credit card to purchase an airline ticket, but a debit or prepaid card will work too. Your options may even expand to cash and checks if you book your flight through a travel agent or if you purchase your ticket at an airport ticket counter.
This may surprise you, but that’s because people often assume the rules for renting a car and booking a hotel room also apply to reserving a flight. However, airlines do not apply a hold to your payment method, so they’re less particular about how you book and settle up.
There is some differentiation among the major airlines’ payment policies, however, particularly regarding the use of cash and personal checks. Before booking your travel, check out our breakdown of the payment methods accepted by the largest U.S. airlines – as well as our tips for buying and saving on airfare.
Payment Policies by Major Airline
The table below details the payment policies of the 10 largest commercial passenger airlines in the U.S. and reflects each airline’s prevailing stance toward each payment method.
| Airline | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid/ Gift Card | Cash | Personal Check | PayPal |
| Alaska | YES | YES | YES | YES (only at the ticket counter) | NO | NO |
| Allegiant | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| American | YES | YES | YES | YES (only at some ticket counters) | YES (only at some ticket counters) | YES |
| Delta | YES(no foreign-issued Diners Club) | YES (no foreign-issued Diners Club) | YES | YES (only at some international airports) | NO | YES |
| Frontier | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Hawaiian | YES | YES | YES | NO | Varies by location | NO |
| JetBlue | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | YES |
| Spirit | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Southwest | YES | YES | YES | YES (only at international airports) | NO | YES |
| United | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | YES |
Additional Rules by Airline
Alaska Airlines
There is a $15 fee when purchasing tickets by phone or at the airport ticket counter. Also, one-time-use credit card numbers may be used as payment when the ticket is purchased at least 6 days in advance. You can also purchase a flight using the buy now, pay later service Uplift.
Allegiant Airlines
There is a $14.99 booking fee when purchasing a flight through the Allegiant call center. Flights may be purchased within two hours of departure only at the airport. You can also purchase a flight using the buy now, pay later service Uplift.
American Airlines
Online tickets must be purchased at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure. You may be able to purchase tickets with shorter notice at the airport ticket counter. American Airlines also offers buy now, pay later financing options.
Delta Air Lines
Single-use credit and debit cards may be used as payment when the flight is purchased at least 6 days in advance.
Frontier Airlines
A $35 service charge is applied for each standard-fare ticket and Frontier Miles award ticket booked over the phone. You can also buy a plane ticket using the buy now, pay later service Uplift.
JetBlue Airways
If you want to pay for a flight with cash, you can hold your booking by calling JetBlue at 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) at least 2 calendar days before the flight’s scheduled departure. You must then pay for your flight at a Western Union location by midnight the following day to confirm the reservation.
Traveler's checks are accepted at JetBlue ticket counters, and the check must be signed in front of a JetBlue airport crew member. Otherwise, you must present your driver's license or passport for signature verification.
Southwest Airlines
You can purchase flights using the buy now, pay later option Uplift.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit customers can buy plane tickets using the buy now, pay later financing option Uplift.
United Airlines
A $25 service charge applies when booking with a United representative by phone. The fee is $30 for booking at a United ticket office and $50 for in-person bookings at the airport. You can also purchase tickets using Uplift.
Tips for Booking Flights Without a Credit Card
- Prepare for Security Scrutiny: While it is indeed possible to book a flight without plastic, it could raise a red flag that you’re a suspicious traveler, especially when purchasing a ticket shortly before the flight.
- Have Plastic for Purchases: Most airlines now refuse to accept any other form of payment but credit, debit and prepaid cards for in-flight purchases of food, beverages and entertainment. So either get yourself a card or forgo having a cocktail on your next flight! Some airlines, like Delta and JetBlue, have even gone entirely cashless at most airports, not allowing cash as a form of payment for flight upgrades or checked bags. If you only have cash, some airports may have a kiosk that allows you to buy a prepaid card.
- Consider a Prepaid Card: If you’re having trouble getting your hands on a credit or debit card, for whatever reason, consider picking up a prepaid card. Not only do many of these accounts – which are often used as replacement checking accounts – offer guaranteed approval, but they also enable you to make purchases with any airline.
- Leverage a Loyalty Program: Joining a frequent flyer program allows you to earn airline miles or points without a credit card. With airlines that offer a frequent flyer program, members may earn rewards with every flight or airline-related purchase they make, and enough miles and points can get them a free flight. If you are in the market for a credit card, using a general travel credit card or an airline credit card can earn you a free flight even faster than a loyalty program alone. Many travel cards are now offering initial rewards bonuses worth hundreds of dollars in travel expenses. Major issuers are also building extensive networks of rewards transfer partners, enabling customers to transfer their credit card earnings to the rewards programs of specific airlines and hotels for direct booking.
- Prepare for Hassle If You Book with Someone Else’s Card: If your flight was booked with someone else’s credit, debit or prepaid card, you may be asked to present the form of payment used to buy your ticket when you arrive at the check-in counter. It’s rare these days, but it’s still a possibility. The best approach is to sort out the issue before you get to the airport by calling the airline’s customer service line. That way, you can ask about their policies and know what to expect when you check in.
- Use PayPal: Many airlines – currently including Southwest, United and American – also accept PayPal as payment. Some airlines accept digital wallets like Apple Pay as well.
- Book Through a Travel Agent: By shopping for travel through an intermediary rather than booking directly with an airline, you may be able open up a number of additional payment options, including cash and checks.
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