In situations of technical or network failure, such as the one that recently affected the entire Iberian Peninsula, physical money is again indispensable. When payment terminals cease to work and digital means become inoperative, it is in cash that consumers trust to ensure essential goods. However, there are places where even a technical emergency allows the use of coins or notes. Even with money by hand, it is not possible to pay.
This is what happens, for example, on flights operated by Tap Air Portugal and Ryanair. In these planes the use of cash is not allowed, regardless of the situation. All transactions must be done by electronic means.
On board, only with card
According to TAP Air Portugal, during the flight, passengers must use credit or debit card exclusively to make payments of tariffs, fees, additional services and onboard products.
The airline reports that there are acceptances such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, as well as digital solutions, namely Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and contactless payments. The limit per transaction is fixed in 100 euros.
According to the same source, this rule was adopted in the interest of public health and hygiene, justifying the risks identified during the Covid-19 pandemic regarding the handling of physical money.
Similar policy in other airlines
Also Ryanair follows a policy of total cash refusal. As the carrier explains, only card payments are accepted for all on board charges, including additional fees, products and services. The company states that this decision is based on hygiene and safety issues, as well as the efficiency of procedures during the flight.
Like TAP, Ryanair accepts credit and debit cards, as well as digital solutions compatible with major payment systems.
Exception that became a rule
Although Portuguese legislation determines that traders cannot, in principle, refuse cash payments aboard the planes the rules are different.
According to Deco Proteste, although notes and coins should be accepted in the national territory, the specific environment of an airplane, where there are operational and safety restrictions, justifies the adoption of distinct measures, namely the exclusivity of electronic payments.
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It adds the same source as the practice, although legally admissible in this context, is nonetheless a limitation for consumers who do not have a card or digital payment application.
A full wallet may not arrive
Even in the national territory, the number of places that refuse cash payments has been increasing. According to Deco Proteste, there are rooms, such as music festivals, which also impose the use of their own cards, or just allow payments with MB Way and bank cards.
However, and according to Portuguese legislation, beyond justified cases such as flights, these practices are not legally protected. As referred to the Consumer Protection Organization, traders are required to accept notes and coins, even if they have posted warnings to indicate the opposite.
The refusal is not sanctioned
Although there is a legal obligation to accept the cash, it clarifies that the law does not provide for any penalty for establishments that refuse this type of payment. This absence of sanction compromises, in practice, the application of the norm.
Still, there are exceptional situations provided for in the law where payment with money can be refused, such as in cases where the grade is not proportional to the amount of the expense, or when more than 50 currencies are presented at a single transaction.
Payments in cash more than 3,000 euros (or 10,000 euros in case of non -residents) are also limited.
The future without coins?
According to a Paysafe study, 63% of consumers prefer to keep the option to pay with cash and are afraid that this possibility disappears. In Portugal, according to a Pythagorean investigation, 92% advocate the obligation of acceptance of cash in trade.
Despite the preference expressed by most consumers, the tendency for digitization seems to continue to advance, especially in contexts such as flights, where the closed and controlled environment justifies specific restrictions.
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