Cryptocurrency in Tourism: How to Pay for Flights and Hotels in the UAE

In the United Arab Emirates, cryptocurrency is now accepted for booking airline tickets, hotels, and car rentals. Several major companies and international online platforms have joined the digital payments trend, enabling transactions in Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins, reports Cointelegraph.

In July 2025, Emirates signed an agreement to launch the Crypto.com Pay service. Starting in 2026, passengers will be able to pay for tickets, upgrades, baggage, and duty-free goods in Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Cronos (CRO), as well as in stablecoins Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).

Air Arabia accepts AE Coin — a stablecoin pegged to the UAE dirham. For passengers, this simplifies payments as the digital asset is directly linked to the national currency. The option is available across the airline’s entire route network in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.

Travala operates as a blockchain-based platform for booking flights, hotels, and travel services. Popular among UAE residents, it supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, and its own AVA token. In January 2024, the company reported a 46% increase in bookings paid with crypto compared to the previous year.

Alternative Airlines allows booking with over 650 carriers, including Emirates and Etihad. Supported currencies include BTC, ETH, XRP, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, USDT, and others. The platform targets international clients and is actively used in the UAE for crypto-based travel payments.

Destinia expands its services to cover not only flights but also hotels and car rentals. BTC, ETH, USDT, and other major tokens are supported. Operating globally, the agency has a growing client base in the UAE, making cryptocurrency a universal travel payment tool.

How crypto flight booking works

There are two main options:

1 Direct payment at checkout on an airline or travel service’s website.

2 Gift cards purchased with crypto, then redeemed as credit or promo codes when booking.

On Travala, for example, the process involves selecting the route, dates, and choosing a crypto payment option such as Crypto.com Pay or Binance Pay. The passenger then connects their wallet, approves the transaction, and receives an e-ticket.

Experts advise checking exchange rates and transaction fees, and choosing platforms with regulated payment gateways. Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are considered more practical due to faster processing and lower volatility risks.

In the UAE, crypto payments extend beyond flights — travelers can also book hotels, tours, and rental cars with digital assets. This makes cryptocurrency a full-fledged tool for organizing trips.

Regulation and prospects

The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) oversees this segment, creating a legal framework for crypto services. Plans are underway to expand blockchain-based loyalty programs, simplify visa procedures, and apply decentralized solutions to travel insurance.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, noted: “Young, tech-savvy travelers are looking for digital solutions. Cryptocurrency gives us a new channel to serve these customers.”

Similar practices exist worldwide. Latvia’s airBaltic started accepting Bitcoin back in 2014. In 2015, LOT Polish Airlines joined, followed by Surf Air in the U.S. and Peach Aviation in Japan in 2017. Spain’s low-cost carrier Vueling partnered with BitPay in 2022.

Private aviation companies such as Monarch Air, Simply Jet, PrivateFly, and Cielo Aviation also allow full crypto payments for charters. Monarch Air has reported a 30% increase in bookings with crypto in recent years.

Many platforms use BitPay or Crypto.com Pay as intermediaries. Experts recommend checking whether an airline accepts crypto directly or only via third parties, as refund policies often differ. Importantly, most crypto transactions remain non-refundable.