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Buy Flights with Stablecoins

Book flights with 600+ airlines and pay using stablecoins at Alternative Airlines

A single Tether coin next to a mobile phone

What are stablecoins?

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that have been designed for stability. The price volatility that usually comes with standard crypto coins is minimised by pegging the stablecoin's value to a stable external asset like fiat currencies (USD and EUR), commodities (gold) or other cryptocurrencies. Unlike Bitcoin, stablecoins aim to offer a reliable store of value, making them more suitable for everyday transactions.

The travel industry is beginning to adopt stablecoin transactions for their speed, cost-effectiveness and accessibility. At Alternative Airlines, we accept bookings using popular stablecoins like USDC and USDT, among others.

A small pile of gold coins

Types of stablecoins

Fiat-backed

These are the most common stablecoins, with reserves of traditional assets held by a custodian to directly back each coin (e.g., Tether and USD Coin).

Asset-backed

This type of stablecoin is pegged to the value of commodities like gold (e.g., Pax Gold) or other cryptocurrencies (e.g., MakerDAO).

Algorithmic

These stablecoins rely on smart contracts and market mechanisms to manage supply and demand, maintaining the peg (e.g., TerraUSD).

A couple sat down using a laptop and a mobile phone

Why buy flights with stablecoins?

Traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are known for their wild price fluctuations, making them less ideal for transactions like booking flights. Stablecoins are a suitable alternative for several reasons:

You can avoid unpredictable fluctuations in exchange rates or the value of your travel funds with stablecoins. This is because stablecoins maintain a near-constant value, ensuring your flight costs stay predictable from booking to travel.

Blockchain-based transactions with stablecoins settle quickly and efficiently (often within minutes) compared to slower traditional bank transfers. This is especially helpful when booking last-minute flights or dealing with time-sensitive situations.

Credit card transactions and international wire transfers often come with hefty fees. With stablecoin transactions, you won't need to break the bank paying for fees - this means you can save that extra money for your trip!

Stablecoins ignore geographical limitations, allowing you to easily pay for your flights even if you're in a region with limited access to traditional financial services. This opens doors to new travel experiences without financial barriers.

Most popular stablecoins in 2024:

Here is a list of the top 20 most popular stablecoins as of 2024. Out of the following stablecoins, you can pay for your flights at Alternative Airlines using Tether, USD Coin, Binance USD, TrueUSD, Dai, Pax Dollar and Maker.

  1. Tether (USDT) - USD, fiat-backed
  2. USD Coin (USDC) - USD, fiat-backed
  3. Binance USD (BUSD) - USD, fiat-backed
  4. TrueUSD (TUSD) - USD, fiat-backed
  5. Dai (DAI) - USD, algorithmic
  6. Pax Dollar (USDP) - USD, fiat-backed
  7. FRAX Share (FRAX) - USD, fractional-algorithmic
  8. Tether Gold (XAUT) - Gold, asset-backed
  9. Havven (XHV) - USD, algorithmic
  10. Reserve Rights (RSV) - USD, algorithmic
  11. TerraUSD (UST) - USD, algorithmic
  12. Neutrino USD (USDN) - USD, algorithmic
  13. USDX (USDX) - USD, algorithmic
  14. Maker (MKR) - Multi-Collateral, governance token for Dai
  15. Fei USD (FEI) - USD, algorithmic
  16. Stasis Euro (EURS) - EUR, fiat-backed
  17. USD Coin (USDC BEP2) - USD, fiat-backed
  18. USD Coin (USDC ERC20) - USD, fiat-backed
  19. Tether Euro (EURT) - EUR, fiat-backed
  20. Wrapped USD (wUSDC) - USD, wrapped token of USDC

How to buy flights with stablecoins

Search for flights

Enter your destination, travel dates and the number of passengers flying into the Alternative Airlines search form and click 'Search Flights'.

You can search in any currency of your choice, including stablecoins like USDT and Binance Coin. Select the flights that you wish to fly on and click 'Confirm Selection'.

How to buy flights with stablecoins

Step 2 - Select cryptocurrency as payment method

Select Cryptocurrency

Once you've finished inputting all passenger details and chosen all your options, you can scroll down to the payment method to see all the payment options that we offer. Select 'Cryptocurrency payment' to continue.

How to buy flights with stablecoins

Search for and select cryptocurrency

Search for stablecoin

Select any stablecoin of your choice and press 'Continue to Payment' to continue.

How to buy flights with stablecoins

Step 4 - Confirm your booking with Tether

Confirm your booking

Follow the instructions on-screen to buy flights with the stablecoin you have chosen.

If you want to learn how to buy your flights using our other cryptocurrencies, take a look at the full list of cryptocurrencies we have available at Alternative Airlines.

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FAQs

Are stablecoins safe to use for flights?

Stablecoins generally offer more price stability than traditional cryptocurrencies, but they still carry inherent risks. Research the specific stablecoin you plan to use and understand its pegging mechanism and potential vulnerabilities.

You can safely and securely book your flights here at Alternative Airlines and pay using any of the stablecoins available at checkout, including Tether and USD Coin.

Which airlines accept stablecoin payments?

The adoption of stablecoins in the travel industry is still evolving. While major airlines haven't widely adopted them yet, Alternative Airlines and smaller airlines accept popular options like USDC and USDT.

Find out which stablecoins you can use to pay for your flights on our site on our Buy Flights with Cryptocurrencies page.

How do I convert my stablecoins to local currency at my destination?

Cryptocurrency exchanges and ATMs offering stablecoin support are becoming more common, allowing you to convert your funds for local use. Research conversion options at your destination beforehand and consider potential exchange rates and fees.

What happens if the value of the stablecoin fluctuates?

Most reputable stablecoins maintain a near-constant peg, minimising price fluctuations. However, slight variations can occur. Be aware of potential minor price changes but remember the advantage of avoiding significant swings compared to volatile cryptocurrencies.