technology
How to Use Cryptocurrencies While Traveling
29 Nov 2021
As the world of cryptocurrency is expanding, it is making significant changes in the global economy. Besides trading and making savings, cryptocurrencies in the digital wallet are also used in many ways- purchasing everyday commodities like a car, property, an expensive watch, a luxurious holiday, or an extravagant dinner. Crypto Engines is an interesting way to get involved in transactions over the blockchain wherever you are in the world.
Owning a digital currency is not just a domain of some privileged people, it is readily available as an oasis of independence for all. It has made payments easier and convenient, with no involvement of any third party. Let us find out the ways in which cryptocurrencies could be used while traveling.
Flight bookings
Many booking platforms have sprung up over the last few years to act as multi-service booking platforms. They accept Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Dash. CheapAir.com in the United States was the first online travel operator to accept Bitcoin as the payment method in 2013. Similarly, in 2014, Expedia followed the pace, phasing out in 2018, later announcing a connection with Travala.com this year. Travala has access to millions of hotels and villas around the world. It allows travelers to book trips using more than 30 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, BNB, along with its native currency, AVA. Today, you can book your flights with numerous travel agencies that accept digital currency as payments- BTCTrip, Peach Air (Japan), Surf Air (California), and Destinia to name a few.
Accommodation
Lodging options are available at almost all the travel agency sites that accept payments in digital currencies. Travala/Expedia, Destinia, CheapAir.com have been the fore players. abitsky.com, a flight planner, has teamed with Booking.com to provide access to alternative payment options for millions of its customers while managing their trips.
Food and Beverages
For Crypto-friendly hospitality establishments, search engines like CoinMap have proved their worth in locating the closest restaurant, bar, or café. It allows making payments to big chains like Subway, and other independent suppliers using crypto merchants, like Felix Weis. Similarly, PapaJohns, Dunkin’Donuts, Ruby Tuesdays, Domino’s, Taco Bell, TGI Friday, UberEats could be found on eGifter, which handles Bitcoin payments using BitPay. This also earns digital gift cards to be used at Gyft or eGifter stores. EGifter also offers a 5% discount for crypto transactions on gaming, streaming, and take-outs. However, the majority of the cities around the world, and restaurants are still not accepting digital currency payments.
Car and Transfers Rentals
The fore players in the travel industry that have already started accepting payments in cash are the ones that readily extend their help in renting the car and other transfers. Attractive offers for longer routes and additional gift cards are also available. Further, Gyft and eGifter offer Uber gift cards ranging from $15-$500 if you do not want to rent cars abroad. Accepted cryptocurrencies include- Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash.
Adventure activities
Crypto payments and gift cards purchased from digital currencies could be used for a variety of local- indoor and outdoor activities! This eliminates the biggest concerns of carrying large amounts of cash or withdrawing money from the ATMs.
Conclusion
Since cryptocurrency is a globally accepted and transacted form of money, it promises to make experiences simpler and secure. However, due to its limited popularity amongst investors, its true potential is yet to be achieved. The situation seems more likely to improve over the coming years.
