Southwest goes Cashless for Onboard Sales

[jimntx]

Southwest Airlines announced that starting 09SEP, all onboard sales will be credit or debit card only--no cash sales. Now, if only I could get my airline (AA) to do same.

Dallas Morning News on-line article

Hope the link works. The DMN sometimes has a window popup that requires you to register before viewing the article. If that happens just google, Southwest Airlines Goes Cashless. It's being discussed on more than one website.

 

[swflyer]

Thanks for the link, Jim.

Noticed it took absolutely NO time for someone to say this would be the end of customary good service standards for SWA. "We're late, gimme money"?? Me?? Wrong airline.

BTW, there is a function, on the device, that cancels a flights transactions, should we be unable to serve. We can also give you a receipt. They're actually pretty cool and easy to use.

IMHO.

 

[JS]

I am very disappointed in this anti-customer move by Southwest. :down:

 

[FlyStorms]

I am very disappointed in this anti-customer move by Southwest. :down:

I'm curious as to why you would think this is an anti-Customer move, JS? Most people carry debit/credit cards, especially when travelling. This is a good way to accomodate these folks easily. It also allows them to get a receipt for travel expenses. To me, it makes perfect sense.

It also saves the FA's having to make announcements asking for change because some guy gave her a $20 on the first flight of the day.

 

[swflyer]

Although I know some of my co-workers have had some issues, I had a GREAT day, with the device, today.

One Customer was worried that his coupon was no longer good. Response? "Of COURSE it is!"

Several Customers were interested in the device, and it was cool showing them what it does, while processing their orders.

Neat gadget, easy to use, curiosity already is probably driving more sales.

IMHO.

 

[JS]

I'm curious as to why you would think this is an anti-Customer move, JS? Most people carry debit/credit cards, especially when travelling. This is a good way to accomodate these folks easily. It also allows them to get a receipt for travel expenses. To me, it makes perfect sense.

It also saves the FA's having to make announcements asking for change because some guy gave her a $20 on the first flight of the day.

Accepting cash doesn't eliminate the ability to accept debit/credit cards or issue a receipt for them.

Regarding having to make change, the flight attendants should be given a change fund at the beginning of each trip.

Not everyone carries a credit card, and for those who do (like myself), some of us don't want a monthly statement full of small charges.

 

[swflyer]

Did I mention, on the long flights, I'm running a tab so there's only one charge??

Airlines are not restaurants, so change funds would be an uncontrollable mess, especially for an airline with over 500 aircraft, 10,000 flight attendants, and 3300 flights a day, IMHO.

Pax are still enjoying our new toys, today.

Not everyone carries a credit card, and for those who do (like myself), some of us don't want a monthly statement full of small charges.

 

[ableoneable]

There is a note on currency that proclaims the bill is legal tender and acceptable for all debts, public and private.

If Southwest wants to decline cash they may do so but they have to provide the merchandise.

 

[KCFlyer]

There is a note on currency that proclaims the bill is legal tender and acceptable for all debts, public and private.

If Southwest wants to decline cash they may do so but they have to provide the merchandise.

Okay...so when you hand the FA a twenty for a $5 drink, they'll take it, as long as you consider the other $15 as a tip.

 

[jimntx]

There is a note on currency that proclaims the bill is legal tender and acceptable for all debts, public and private.

If Southwest wants to decline cash they may do so but they have to provide the merchandise.

True to an extent on the first statement. Totally false on the second.

It is true that our currency is legal tender and acceptable for all debts. However, if I don't sell/give you the alcohol, you do not owe me anything--therefore, no debt has been created. If I tell you that I will only accept credit card payment for alcohol, I do not have to give you anything. You have to complete the transaction (exchange of ownership of the product) for a debt to be created.

If your second statement were anywhere close to true, most of the Internet and the commerce conducted there would have to shut down. Most sellers on Ebay, for instance, do not accept payment except via PayPal. Now technically I suppose you could send a wad of cash to PayPal--not recommended--to establish an account, but that Hummel figurine of the shepherdess you were dying to have will have been sold to the next highest bidder before you get the stamp on the envelope. (Those people are ruthless. ) If you are bored some day, try to find an Internet vendor that accepts cash.

For that matter, our coins are also "legal tender." May I suggest you go to Macy's or Wal-Mart or Target with $200 in pennies and try to buy something.

 

[mrman]

Not everyone carries a credit card, and for those who do (like myself), some of us don't want a monthly statement full of small charges.

Please tell me you are not the person who has to show the grocery store clerk how to take a paper check while I wait in line behind you because she has not seen one in months or the one who goes to the teller to cash a check because you don't "trust" those new fangled ATM gizmos

 

[JS]

Please tell me you are not the person who has to show the grocery store clerk how to take a paper check while I wait in line behind you because she has not seen one in months or the one who goes to the teller to cash a check because you don't "trust" those new fangled ATM gizmos

I don't write checks at the grocery store, but I have seen people write checks, and the cashier takes it, scans it, waits two seconds for the computer to initiate the EFT transaction, and the receipt pops out. Pretty simple.

I do go to the teller to cash a check, not because I distrust the ATM, but because I give the teller something to do (never a line at my bank), I get a free coffee and cookie (no longer on US Airways), or popcorn on Fridays, and I can get 50's and 100's rather than a stack of 20's.

My bank statement is easy to balance because I have two deposits and one or two cashed checks and checks for utilities, and that's it. My ex-wife, on the other hand, had checking account statements with pages and pages of dinky little debit card charges. One of them was for 83 cents! That's one reason she didn't bother to balance her checkbook (the other being laziness), which then added to the bank's bottom line when she bounced a check and had to pay it back plus $30.

 

[swflyer]

Thank God we finally found the true, core reason JS doesn't like our new, cashless cabin.

swflyer <--- no fan of fees

My ex-wife, on the other hand, had checking account statements with pages and pages of dinky little debit card charges. One of them was for 83 cents! That's one reason she didn't bother to balance her checkbook (the other being laziness), which then added to the bank's bottom line when she bounced a check and had to pay it back plus $30.