Did you know that you don’t need a credit card to travel? While it might be true that using a credit card can be more convenient for safety purposes and making disputes, not everyone is fond of paying with it. In addition, some people are not able to get one for themselves. But of course, not having a credit card will never stop people from seeing the world.
If you don’t prefer to use your credit card during your travels or you don’t possess one, there are several payment options you can use. Here’s how you can pay for your travel expenses even without a credit card.
Open a PayPal Account
You don’t have to worry about paying for your hotel, flights, and car rental, as you can use PayPal for these expenses. PayPal is different from bank accounts, but you can link it to your bank account to make purchases online.
What’s excellent about PayPal is that it offers security when paying travel expenses. Unlike debit or credit cards, you don’t need to enter any card details when you use this method in paying for accommodation or flights.
Pay with Gift Cards
Here’s another way to pay for hotels or flights- gift cards! You can purchase these cards from their respective distributors, such as grocery stores. Many shops sell particular Airbnb, hotel, and airline gift cards.
You can buy these cards using your debit card, but you can also pay with cash. However, some of them have expiration dates. So beware of buying them without intending to use them immediately.
Use Your Debit Card
Debit cards are also one of the safest ways to pay for flight and hotel expenses. If you have one, make sure to connect it to your checking account before using it to pay for flights or accommodations.
Yet, it’s essential to know that the money won’t be automatically debited from the account right away. The airline can hold the amount for a specific period until the purchase is completed, so do not use your debit card funds for other purchases.
Fortunately, opening a bank account is now easier than ever. People can now open bank account online and wait for them to be verified. Once the bank approves the application, you will get a notification that your bank account is active. And because of this, acquiring a debit card should be easy as pie.
Pay Straight with Cash
While you can’t pay airlines with cash when making reservations online, many airline companies allow passengers to pay in cash at the airport.
Airline companies such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines mention that they accept payments in cash at some appointed counters in various airports. However, doing so is not as convenient as buying tickets online. But it could be a feasible option if other payment methods are not workable for you.
Despite the advantages of technology, some people still prefer to use cash than cashless methods. However, carrying cash all the time might have disadvantages, including:
- Cash makes you a target for criminals.
- There is a possibility to lose the money you have in your pocket.
- Cash is dirty.
- Not earning interest or not obtaining promos and discounts exclusive for card users.
- No rewards.
Open a Bank Account that Relinquishes Foreign ATM Charges
You can also travel the world without a credit card. If you prefer to use cashless payments when you visit foreign countries, it would be wiser to open a bank account that can waive foreign ATM charges. If you don’t consider this, you might end up paying different fees in using your debit card abroad, such as:
- The foreign bank’s charges for withdrawals.
- Your bank’s charges for taking out cash from a different ATM
Opt for Miscellaneous Payments
Depending on which hotel or airline you’re booking with, you might have other options for making payments. For instance, Uplift allows its users t pay for their purchases through loans. People can pay these loans with an installment plan. Airlines like Southwest and United allow this kind of payment.
Indeed, using a credit card to pay for your travel expenses is better and safer than other methods. However, if you don’t own one, there are several methods available that you can use to book your hotel and flights. Cash, debit cards, PayPal, and gift cards make it possible for people to pay for their travels even though they don’t own a credit card.
It’s important to remember that if you prefer to use a debit card, make sure that your bank account waives foreign ATM charges to save more money. If you plan to get a credit card, opt for a bank that can waive annual fees and foreign transaction tolls. At the end of the day, it’s all about what works best for you.
