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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Buying On-flight Perks With Plastic: Priceless

Carriers eye plastic-only policies to 'save bazillions of dollars'

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(Newser) – More airlines are letting flyers buy perks with plastic, hoping it will speed up service and save money. American Airlines is the latest to sell meals by credit or debit, but others are way ahead: JetBlue, Alaska Air and Virgin America are already cashless. Nixing cash sales will ease the burden on already overworked attendants, one analysts says: "That has to save bazillions of dollars."

Big airlines are looking for ways to curb the downturn sparked by low-cost competition, and hope that plastic will help. They may even earn extra bucks by charging for items that are now free, but one expert says they better be careful: "There is a point of diminishing returns when passengers feel they are being nickel-and-dimed."

JetBlue Airways recently announced it would take only credit or debit cards for onboard purchases starting Nov. 1. (AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews, file)
JetBlue Airways recently announced it would take only credit or debit cards for onboard purchases starting Nov. 1. (AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews, file)   (Associated Press)
American Airlines is the latest mainstream airline to experiment with ending cash transactions on flights. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
American Airlines is the latest mainstream airline to experiment with ending cash transactions on flights. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)   (Associated Press)
Virgin Airlines, a new entrant in the US market, is completely cashless and features technology that allows passengers to use credit card terminals on seat backs to order products and services. (AP Photo/Virgin America, Bob Riha, Jr.)
Virgin Airlines, a new entrant in the US market, is completely cashless and features technology that allows passengers to use credit card terminals on seat backs to order products and services. (AP Photo/Virgin...   (Associated Press)
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