Cash will get you nowhere when you fly on United Airlines. The popular commercial carrier operates cash-free flights; meaning that anything you plan to purchase while onboard the plane can only be paid for via major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club, and debit cards bearing the Visa or MasterCard.
In addition, if you are traveling to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu and need to fill-up your renal car late at night, you will also have to swipe some plastic instead of forking over cash at the pay-at-the-pump stations that dominate Honolulu.
With so many travel-related services going cash-free, prepaid credit cards are becoming a popular option among tourists and business travelers. In fact, some major credit card companies, such as Visa, now offer cards made specifically for travelers. The cards are designed to function much like a traditional credit or debit card; however, the balance on the card is determined by you rather than being connected to a revolving account or checking account.
There are pros and cons to obtaining these prepaid travel cards. For starters, in most cases, prepaid cards are typically accepted anywhere debit cards are accepted. This is very convenient, especially for travelers who are reluctant to carry around wads of cash or their regular credit cards in their back pockets. What’s more, if you stick with prepaid travel cards issued by reputable companies such as Visa or MasterCard you will be protected against theft and loss. In fact, Visa will transfer a remaining balance from a lost prepaid travel card to a new card for free. Also, the company won’t hold you liable for purchases made by unauthorized people as long as you report the theft properly. The downside to these cards is that some companies don’t offer the opportunity to replenish balances. In other words, once the balance on the card is at zero, the card is no longer valid.