When buying flight tickets, but also package tours, you can usually choose from many different payment options. From good old cash to credit cards to payments at the supermarket checkout, pretty much everything is included. But each process has its advantages and disadvantages. An overview.

The most important tip in advance: Weigh which payment option is best for you and which offers you the best possible security. Foreign currency fees may apply, especially with credit and debit cards. If in doubt, ask your bank before buying a ticket in a foreign currency.

SEPA direct debit:

This procedure is also known as "direct debit", "electronic direct debit (ELV)" or "direct debit". Here you enter BIC and IBAN. The airline or travel agent will then deduct the agreed amount from your bank account. This form of payment is very popular in Germany, but sometimes not even widespread in other countries.

Advantages:

• No debit or credit card is required.
• You can have a chargeback through your bank within 56 days without giving a reason. This can be an advantage if the airline postpones the reimbursement of the ticket price or is insolvent. Beware: horrendous expenses can be incurred if you have a reverse booking just because you do not want to fly. The airline could take legal action against you.
• In special circumstances, the money can even be retrieved 13 months later. In this case, you must provide your account-holding bank with very good reasons.

Disadvantages:

• If there is insufficient funds in your account and the direct debit fails as a result, you not only run the risk of your flight ticket being canceled, but also have to be prepared for hefty processing fees or even the involvement of a debt collection agency.
• Many airlines do not accept SEPA direct debits for short-term bookings.

Credit and Debit Cards:

In many European countries, debit cards have long been issued as Debit Mastercard or Visa Debit. Unless the issuing bank has stipulated any restrictions, these cards can be used for payment in the same way as a real credit card. There are also no differences when it comes to chargebacks. However, be aware that debit cards are linked to the bank account and the payment will be declined if there is insufficient funds. Credit cards include the brands Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Discover and JCB. In the debit area, Debit Mastercard, Visa Debit, Vpay and Maestro are common in Europe. Online payments are not possible with Vpay cards, but with some Maestro cards they can. Only: The online acceptance of Maestro cards is very low, which is why only very few banks have activated the online payment function.

Advantages:

• Usually always accepted and very easy to use.
• If there are any discrepancies, a chargeback can be requested from the card-issuing bank and you may get your money back.
• Some credit cards and some debit cards include insurance that may only be valid if you have paid for your trip with the card.
• The payment method is accepted worldwide.
• In the case of debit cards, the money is deducted from the current account immediately. With credit cards, you will normally receive an invoice once a month, which you then have to transfer or this will be debited from your account.

Disadvantages:

• Many banks charge a fee if you are not paying in the currency of your home country (e.g. euros). However, there are also credit institutions that do not charge a fee. It is best to ask your bank before buying in a foreign currency whether there are any fees for this.
• Unfortunately, there are dubious fake sites that are just out to get your credit or debit card details. Think carefully about which websites you use your card on.
• The customer service of many credit card issuers allows a lot of potential for improvement in the event of a complaint. Chargebacks are very complex, so they are definitely unpopular. So be prepared for the fact that the processing time can be very long.

Transfer, Sofortüberweisung (Klarna), Giropay / EPS:

You can often pay for package tours by regular bank transfer. Some airlines also allow you to pay for your ticket with a normal transfer within a very short period of time. Attention: "Purchase on account" is usually a different payment method.

Advantages:

• With the "normal" transfer you do not need internet banking. You can also pay in the traditional way with a paper payment slip. This does not apply to Sofortüberweisung and Giropay / EPS.
• You don't need a credit or debit card.
• The online procedures are mostly very simple.

Disadvantages:

• A third-party provider is involved with Sofortüberweisung (Klarna). You have to enter your access data for your online banking into their system. The provider also reads out a lot of data. Giropay / EPS uses the bank's own system and no third-party provider is involved.
• Bank transfers can only be recovered under very special circumstances. The consent of the payee is required. In the event of a dispute, the airline is unlikely to give its consent.
• In the event of bankruptcy, there is no insurance at all. Even if you tried to book a supposed ticket on a dubious fake site, your money is gone.

Paypal:

The US provider is quite widespread and allows you to pay with your bank account and / or your credit or debit card. After entering your password, all you have to do is click to confirm the payment and the ticket is purchased.

Advantages:

• Very easy to use: PayPal collects the money from you and forwards it to the airline.
• You do not need to enter an IBAN or credit or debit card number on the homepage. You do not have to provide your online banking details either.
• Buyer protection may apply.

Disadvantages:

• The PayPal buyer protection is in practice rather toothless and often associated with disappointments in the processing.
• If your bank account is not covered, you do not have to deal with the airline, but with PayPal. The company is known for being able to bring in debt collection agencies and lawyers very quickly. Delayed payment can be very expensive.
• Exactly what the US company does with your data is not exactly easy to understand and clearly described.
• A chargeback is extremely difficult and PayPal is very sensitive to it if you cancel the direct debit or initiate a chargeback through your bank. Sometimes you have a debt collection agency on your neck and your PayPal account could be blocked.

Amazon Pay, Apple Pay and Google Pay:

More and more airlines are also accepting these new forms of payment. Your account and / or card details are stored in a wallet, similar to PayPal. Depending on the procedure, log in to your user account and approve the payment.

Advantages:

• Very easy to use: the payment service provider collects the money from you and forwards it to the airline.
• You do not need to enter an IBAN or credit or debit card number on the homepage. You do not have to provide your online banking details either.
• Buyer protection may apply.

Disadvantages:

• If available, the buyer protection is often toothless and has a lot of hooks and eyes.
• The aforementioned payment service providers are US companies and are known to be particularly avid data collectors. What exactly happens to your data is not necessarily presented in an easily understandable and transparent manner.
• Charges are very difficult to make. Amazon is sensitive to this if you simply retrieve a payment using a chargeback or an objection to the direct debit. For this, expenses are sometimes billed. Chargebacking is particularly difficult with Google and Apple.
• Please note that you are voluntarily disclosing information about your purchase to US sellers. What exactly they do with the information and how it is sometimes evaluated for advertising is unclear.

Purchase on invoice:

You will receive your flight ticket or package tour and can then transfer the purchase price in peace. Some providers even allow you to pay in installments or even that you only have to pay after the trip. But be careful: this is very rarely the case with flight tickets and if you do not transfer within the payment deadline, you may incur expenses, entries in credit bureaus and even the cancellation of the ticket with full payment obligation.

Advantages:

• Payment is not required immediately upon booking. The transfer can be made in peace.
• Neither online banking nor debit or credit cards are necessary. Payment can also be made using a classic paper payment slip.
• The cheapest price can be secured, but the transfer can also be made a few days later.

Disadvantages:

• The airlines or tour operators assign the claim to banks. This means that the invoice must be paid to the payment service provider or the bank. Refunds can be delayed because the airline first books back to the bank and then you.
• The providers carry out a credit check ("Schufa query", "KSV query"). If you are on record in relevant credit agencies, you will be denied the procedure.
• If you don't pay your bill on time, you will incur hefty expenses and you even risk entries in credit bureaus, which can be hugely disadvantageous for you in your future life.
• Some providers are based abroad or can only be reached to a very limited extent in the event of a complaint. A little twists and turns in the intended use can mean that the service provider cannot assign your payment and you are covered with reminders. It is very annoying when customer service reacts rather sluggishly. However, this does not apply to all providers, because some also have very brisk and competent customer service.
• When paying in installments, you must always remember to pay on time. Without a standing order, you can quickly forget something like that and then you have to pay additional reminder fees.

Cash payment:

Good old cash works even when the power goes out. Unfortunately, it is not possible to scan bills in the Internet and send them to the airline by e-mail, but cash is mostly accepted at counters and in travel agencies. Payment methods from Barzahlen.de and Paysafe Cash are relatively new. When booking, you will receive a "payment slip" which you can then "pay in" in cash at supermarkets, drugstores, petrol stations or tobacconists within a certain period of time.