Tuesday, August 12, 2008

jetBlue Hopes to Cash In

Here's a press release regarding jetBlue and Western Union teaming up to allow their customers to pay cash for jetBlue tickets online.

Anyway, it sounded like a relatively good way for JetBlue to get their money up front and eliminate interchange fees...until I got to the part whereby they explained that a customer must first go to an ATM...hopefully one without fees, or their bank to withdraw the cash and secondly,  jet-over  Happy Jetting!  to a Western Union location following their booking.  One more important note to consumers considering this payment option...don't forget the Western Union transfer fee! (and you've got to get there before midnight of the following day, so please, hurry!) 

Paying With Cash? JetBlue Airways and Western Union Make Flight Purchases Easy and Convenient

NEW YORK, Aug 11, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) and The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) today announced an agreement that provides customers with an easy cash payment option for purchasing flights when they book their travel reservations via www.jetblue.com or 800-JETBLUE and select the fast, reliable and convenient money transfer service.

Customers can now visit any participating Western Union(r) Agent location following their booking to send a full payment of their JetBlue reservation and Western Union service fee in cash. Through a direct link to the low-fare, high-frills airline's system, Western Union can confirm a JetBlue reservation until midnight the following day.

"We are constantly looking for ways to simplify our booking and payment process and enhance the customer experience," said Don Uselmann, Manager of Business Development for JetBlue Airways. "Our relationship with Western Union is a great example of how we can provide greater flexibility and more options for new customers to choose JetBlue for their travel needs.

Paying with cash has never been easier."  (Editors Note:  What...say again?)

"Millions of consumers already know how easy it is to pay their bills using Western Union services," said David Shapiro, senior vice president, Western Union Payment Services. "Now JetBlue customers will have the convenience of purchasing their airline travel in cash at the places they already do business every day. What could be simpler than paying for your travel while you purchase groceries or fill up your gas tank?"

Western Union is a leading provider of global money transfer services, providing consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world via a network of Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories.

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