Most people believe cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are only used for trading and acquiring virtual investments. However, there is so much more to them than meets the eye. Bitcoin developers designed it as a peer-to-peer monetary system, facilitating seamless and low-cost cross-border payments. That is why it is becoming a valuable currency for international travel.
Many travelers currently use Bitcoin to pay for travel expenses, including airfares, accommodation, and experiences at various destinations worldwide. Several financial institutions, travel companies, and merchants rapidly adopt Bitcoin as a payment method, ensuring unique and low-cost travel experiences. The following are the main benefits of Bitcoin in international travel.
Easy Currency Conversion
When traveling, exchanging your money for local currencies can be time-consuming and hectic, especially when visiting foreign countries. Finding a trusted money changer offering the best rates in a foreign country is not usually easy. Besides, carrying cash around is also very risky. Those are some of the hassles that Bitcoin seeks to solve.
Unlike fiat money, Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, accessible to anyone anywhere around the globe via a smartphone or tablet and the internet. That means you do not have to travel with cash or credit cards. There are numerous ways to trade Bitcoin for cash in any local currency, using crypto exchanges such as bitcoin evolution . You could also use a Bitcoin ATM to convert your crypto into cash.
You won’t even need to convert your crypto into local currencies in some destinations since many local businesses, including restaurants, now allow customers to pay for various goods and services in Bitcoin.
Seamless and Direct Flight Bookings
The airline industry is among the early adopters of Bitcoin, with several operators now allowing passengers to book flights using Bitcoin. Major airlines accepting Bitcoin payments include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, British Airways, Virgin Galactic, JetBlue, and Hawaiian Airlines. Those airlines cover more than 60 destinations around the globe, which you can visit using Bitcoin.
Planning Trips with Travel Agencies
The crypto buzz has also convinced many travel agencies to adopt Bitcoin as a payment method for their services. Travel agencies offer a wide range of services, including accommodation and guided tours, which travelers can now quickly pay for using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Buying travel packages in Bitcoin is relatively cheaper than using cash or credit cards.
Shopping and Dining
Apart from airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, many small to medium retailers are also increasingly integrating Bitcoin into their payment systems. Numerous restaurants and fast-food chains worldwide, including KFC, Subway, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Burger King, and Pizza Hut, allow customers to dine-in, takeaway, or order food and pay in Bitcoin.
Several stores, including Gyft, Walmart, Macy’s, CVS, and Reeds Jewelers, also accept Bitcoin. Besides, some crypto exchange platforms also allow customers to trade Bitcoin for gift cards from various merchants around the globe.
Secure Transactions
Processing payments through banks or electronic payment service providers exposes travelers to various risks, including fraud and theft. Using Bitcoin eliminates those vulnerabilities with data encryption and its irreversible shared ledger. The underlying blockchain technology protects the users’ credentials and transaction information, ensuring more secure transactions.
Bitcoin solves several hurdles that most international travelers often experience, ensuring easy currency conversion, seamless flight bookings, shopping, dining, and travel planning. The lower transaction costs of Bitcoin payments also enable travelers to save money on trips and experiences worldwide. Besides, Bitcoin also facilitates faster and secure payment processing, contributing to greater convenience and transactional security. However, visit crypto-friendly destinations to make the most of your travel experiences with Bitcoin.