Sport Pilot Talk

N918KT

I asked the same question to my mom a few months ago I think and she said it's not possible. I forgot the reason why. She did say I could instead write checks to the flight school to pay for flight training.

I have a bank debit card. Is it possible that I could use it for flight training (including flight lessons)? If not, then why not? I have held a job at a local pharmacy since June and have been saving up to one day get back to flight training.

Jim Stewart · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 259

Call your flight school and ask.

bshort · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Ca

If your debit card has the Visa logo it will be easier. If the instructor doesn't have the ability to swipe your card there, ask if they will accept the funds via paypal.

N918KT · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:48 am Post subject:

I just have a TD Bank debit card so maybe using it at a flight school wouldn't work. What's paypal exactly? I heard about it when my parents purchase stuff online.

ArionAv8or · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 271

You don't know what Paypal is? I thought everyone over the age of 12 knew what that was.

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

As someone who provides flight training I do not take credit cards, debit cards, or Paypal. I try to keep my aircraft rates as low as I can, and it cost money to take those forms of payment. You can always stop by an ATM on the way to your lesson, or just write a check.

zaitcev · Joined: 05 Jan 2010 Posts: 256 Location: Albuquerque, NM

3Dreaming wrote: As someone who provides flight training I do not take credit cards, debit cards, or Paypal. I try to keep my aircraft rates as low as I can, and it cost money to take those forms of payment. You can always stop by an ATM on the way to your lesson, or just write a check.
My last lesson was $585, which is above the daily limit of my ATM. Although I certainly could stop by my bank branch, the real problem here is schools feel oblidged to post the same price regardless of the form of payment. Gas stations figured this out decades ago: cash price is one thing, credit price is the other thing.

Jim Stewart · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 259

Generally, any merchant that agrees to accept credit cards must charge the same amount as they would for cash or debit cards. It's part of the merchant agreement with the credit card company.

bshort · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Ca

A flight instructor that only accepts cash is severly limiting his/her potential earnings and business. The standard credit transaction rate is 3% ($3 on 100). That's not an unaccepatble rate to absorb or even pass on in order to make payment, and training, more acceptable to the student. Have those cash guys provide a receipt and tax id number.

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

I found the final cost was about 5% to take credit cards. It's not just the transaction fee, but the other fees as well. Bottom line was the cost was about 5%. I've always been up front that I take no credit cards for aircraft rental in an effort to keep the rates as low as I can. Most customers like the lower rates. I do offer discounts for block time, and I will set up an account to bill at the end of the month if you pay by the 10th. Either way you don't have to make a payment everytime you come to the airport.

RyanShort1 · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 101 Location: San Antonio, TX

bshort wrote: A flight instructor that only accepts cash is severly limiting his/her potential earnings and business. The standard credit transaction rate is 3% ($3 on 100). That's not an unaccepatble rate to absorb or even pass on in order to make payment, and training, more acceptable to the student. Have those cash guys provide a receipt and tax id number.
Maybe, but the guys I know that only take cash or check also generally have better clients... and are doing quite well as far as I can tell.

Ryan