Continental Goes Cashless Onboard

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

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Yesterday, Continental announced it will switch to cashless cabins across its entire mainline fleet, with the exception of flights to China. The change takes effect today—that’s right, today!—with China service expected to come online early next year. Today is also the day Delta makes the switch aboard its aircraft. Hmm, coincidence?

Continental‘s reasoning is nothing new. In its release, the airline says it “is making the change in response to feedback from customers and flight crews who expressed interest in using card readers for on-board purchases to eliminate the hassle of fumbling for money and making correct change.”

In short: Cash is a pain.

But like it or not, more and more airlines are making the switch. By my count, AirTran, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways, and Virgin America accept only credit cards aboard. And now, Continental too.

I know some of you aren’t crazy about all these airlines eliminating cash purchases, but I’d like to know what you think about Continental’s move, namely the speed (announced yesterday, implemented today) with which Continental made the switch. Leave a comment below with your thoughts, thanks!

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