Most people book their trips on the Internet these days. Going to the travel agency is too arduous, especially if you live in the countryside. And often the online offers are also much cheaper. Payment is usually made by credit card, PayPal or instant bank transfer. But that’s exactly what is a problem for some. According to estimates, between 500,000 and one million people in Germany do not have a current account. And older people in particular often still lack trust in digital payment methods. They don’t want to give their account details or credit card number on a website. There is an alternative for them: With the Paysafecard, it is possible to pay for online travel bookings in cash. Here’s how it works.
What is a Paysafecard?
The Paysafecard is a kind of virtual prepaid card. In many supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations there are top-up codes for it to buy. This makes it possible to pay in cash or by Girocard. The payment data is not stored. The most well-known use is probably that you can deposit in the casino with Paysafecard . Especially casual players who only want to deposit smaller amounts like to use it. But many online shops also accept the Paysafecard. However, Paysafecard is mostly used for smaller amounts. Online travel agencies such as Expedia or Booking.com therefore do not accept this payment method. It is also usually not possible to pay with the Paysafecard at airlines and hotel chains. So if you absolutely want to pay for a trip in cash, you have to use a trick.
Book directly at TripGift
The first way to pay for a trip via Paysafecard is the TripGift platform. There it is possible to buy gift vouchers for travel. Of course, you can give them as a gift, but you can just as easily use them yourself. The site’s vouchers are valid for many airlines (e.g. Lufthansa, Air France and Turkish Airlines), hotel chains (e.g. Hilton, Mercure, Ibis), car rental companies (e.g. Sixt, Enterprise, Hertz) and various travel providers. The trip itself must then be booked directly with these companies. Currently, TripGift is the only travel platform that accepts payments via Paysafecard. The service is available in Germany as well as in most other EU countries. This method is a bit cumbersome, especially when it comes to a longer trip. However, for those who do not have their own bank account, they are a good alternative.
Top up your prepaid credit card with Paysafecard
The second way to pay for a trip by Paysafecard is the prepaid credit card from Paysafecard. It can also be topped up at the supermarket checkout . However, unlike the normal Paysafecard, it is accepted wherever Mastercard can be used. If you only ever top it up with the necessary credit, you don’t have to worry about a third party misusing the card data. The prepaid credit card makes it possible to pay in cash practically anywhere on the Internet – even on most booking platforms. However, there are also some disadvantages. On the one hand, there is an annual fee of 9.90 €. There is also a 4% fee when topping up the card. This is particularly important for larger amounts.
Paying for travel bookings with Paysafecard – Does it make sense?
For most people, it doesn’t make sense to pay for their trips with Paysafecard. This is because the procedure is cumbersome and sometimes expensive. However, for all those who want to pay in cash for important reasons, it is a valuable way to book air travel and hotel accommodation via the Internet.
