Quick answer
How do I pay for flights with crypto on SatFares?
To pay for flights with crypto on SatFares, you top up a US dollar balance from $25. There are 7 coin and network options: BTC, USDT on TRC-20 or ERC-20, USDC on ERC-20, ETH, SOL or LTC. The top-up is credited after 1 to 20 confirmations, depending on the network. At checkout, the fare is held, not charged, until the airline issues the e-ticket.
Coins accepted
Six coins, seven coin and network options. Deposit addresses appear only on the payment page, after you choose the coin and the network.
- BTCBitcoin
- USDTTetherTRC-20 or ERC-20
- USDCUSD CoinERC-20
- ETHEthereum
- SOLSolana
- LTCLitecoin
Paying in crypto: the rules
| Coin and network options | 7: BTC, USDT TRC-20, USDT ERC-20, USDC ERC-20, ETH, SOL, LTC |
|---|---|
| Fewest confirmations | SOL: 1 (finalized) |
| Most confirmations | USDT on TRC-20: 20 |
| Balance currency | US dollars |
| BTC, ETH, SOL and LTC | Converted to US dollars at the rate locked on the payment page |
| Deposit address | Shown only on the payment page, never on this site |
| Not accepted | Monero (XMR), Bitcoin Lightning, USDC outside Ethereum, USDT outside Tron and Ethereum |
| Our fee | none (no booking fee or payment fee is added) |
| Minimum top-up | $25 |
Which coin and network should I choose?
Choose the coin you already hold, on the network it is on. The price is the same for every option.
| Option | Network | Confirmations | Network fee paid in | Value | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDT on TRC-20 | Tron | 20 | Energy, Bandwidth or TRX | Tracks the US dollar | USDT TRC-20 guide |
| USDT on ERC-20 | Ethereum | 12 | ETH | Tracks the US dollar | USDT ERC-20 guide |
| USDC on ERC-20 | Ethereum | 12 | ETH | Tracks the US dollar | USDC guide |
| BTC | Bitcoin (on-chain) | 2 | BTC | Converted to USD | BTC guide |
| ETH | Ethereum | 12 | ETH | Converted to USD | ETH guide |
| SOL | Solana | 1 | SOL | Converted to USD | SOL guide |
| LTC | Litecoin | 6 | LTC | Converted to USD | LTC guide |
Confirmations come from our payment settings. Network fees are not measured yet: real cost of paying in crypto.
How payment works
Top up $25 or more
Choose the amount and the coin (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC). The crypto amount and its rate are locked for 30 minutes.
Send it to the address shown, on the exact network
The payment page shows our deposit address for the coin and network you picked: BTC on Bitcoin, USDT on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20), USDC on Ethereum (ERC-20), ETH on Ethereum, SOL on Solana, LTC on Litecoin. Send only that coin on that network: funds sent on another network or in another coin can’t be recovered. The network fee comes on top of the amount.
Send the exact amount shown, then click “I’ve sent the payment”
Each top-up has its own exact amount (down to the last decimals): that is how your payment is found and matched to your account automatically. Nothing else to send us.
Credited after the network confirmations
Your balance is credited once the network has confirmed the transaction. Usual times:
Crypto Network Confirmations Usual time BTC Bitcoin 2 ≈ 20 min USDT Tron (TRC-20) 20 ≈ 1 min USDT Ethereum (ERC-20) 12 ≈ 5 min USDC Ethereum (ERC-20) 12 ≈ 5 min ETH Ethereum 12 ≈ 5 min SOL Solana 1 ≈ 1 min LTC Litecoin 6 ≈ 15 min One balance for all your flights
Your balance pays your bookings: the amount of a booking is held at checkout and charged only when the booking is confirmed. What is left stays on your balance for your next trip. Unused balance stays on your account and never expires. Amounts released when a booking can't be confirmed, or refunded after a cancellation you did not request, can be withdrawn in USDT or USDC; the rest of the balance is not refundable.
Closed the tab? The pending top-up stays under Billing in your account: open it to see the address and the exact amount again.
Stablecoin or another coin: what changes?
Only the conversion changes. Your balance is always in US dollars.
- USDT and USDC track the US dollar. The amount to send stays close to the dollar amount of your top-up, plus a few unique digits.
- BTC, ETH, SOL and LTC are converted at the rate shown on the payment page, which also shows how long that rate is locked. A payment seen after the lock ends can be valued at a different rate.
In every case, refunds after an airline cancellation are paid in stablecoins. If the airline cancels, you get a refund in USDT or USDC within 7 days, or a balance credit, as you choose. Compare the two stablecoins in USDT or USDC for flights.
What if I send coins on the wrong network?
Funds sent on another network may be lost. Send each coin only on the network you chose at checkout, to the address shown for that network.
- USDT on BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20), TON or Solana is not accepted.
- USDC is accepted on Ethereum only: not on Solana, Base, Polygon or Arbitrum.
- ETH is accepted on the Ethereum main network only, not on layer-2 networks.
- SOL means native SOL: tokens on Solana, such as USDC, are not accepted.
- BTC means on-chain Bitcoin: Lightning is not accepted. See Lightning and Monero.
Payment guides by coin and network
- Pay for flights with USDT on TRC-20 Tron · 20 confirmations
- Pay for flights with USDT on ERC-20 Ethereum · 12 confirmations
- Pay for flights with USDC Ethereum only · 12 confirmations
- Buy plane tickets with Bitcoin On-chain · 2 confirmations
- Pay for flights with Ethereum Main network · 12 confirmations
- Pay for flights with Solana Native SOL · 1 confirmation
- Pay for flights with Litecoin Litecoin · 6 confirmations
- From Binance, Coinbase or another exchange Withdraw to your deposit address, on the exact network
Paying for flights in crypto: common questions
Which cryptocurrencies can I use to pay for flights?
SatFares accepts Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC). USDT works on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20); USDC works on Ethereum (ERC-20) only. Monero and Bitcoin Lightning are not accepted. Each option has its own guide on this page.
Can I pay with XRP or Dogecoin?
No. SatFares accepts only Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC). XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE) are not accepted, on any network. If you hold them, you can exchange them for USDT or USDC first, then top up on a network we accept. Converting coins may be a taxable event in your country. Coins sent to an address of another coin may be lost.
What is the minimum payment?
The minimum top-up is $25, for every coin. For a booking, your top-up must also cover the ticket total minus what is already on your balance. What you don't spend stays on your balance for your next trip. The minimum is the same for BTC, the stablecoins and every other option.
Where do I find the deposit address?
On the payment page only, after you choose the coin and the network. Addresses are never printed on the pages of this site. Closed the tab? The pending top-up stays under Billing in your account, with the address and the exact amount.
How long until my top-up is credited?
It depends on the network: from 1 confirmation for SOL to 20 for USDT on Tron. The payment page shows the confirmations as they arrive. Your balance is credited as soon as the required number is reached. If you close the tab, the pending top-up stays under Billing in your account.
Do I have to send the exact amount?
Yes, as closely as you can. Each top-up has its own exact amount, with unique last digits: that is how your payment is matched to your account. If your exchange takes its withdrawal fee from the amount you type, add the fee so that the full amount arrives.
Is the price different depending on the coin?
No. The price shown is the fare found live for all passengers, in US dollars, taxes included, with no fee added; the final total is confirmed before you are charged. It is the same whichever coin and network you use. Only the network fee, paid by your wallet, and any exchange withdrawal fee differ.
Is paying in crypto taxable?
It may be. Paying in crypto may be a taxable event in your country, because spending a coin can count as selling it. In the United States, the IRS says such payments for goods or services must be reported. Check local rules, or ask a tax adviser. SatFares does not give tax advice.
When is my balance charged for a flight?
Only when the airline issues the e-ticket number. At checkout, the total is held on your balance. Our team then books the ticket on request and confirms the final total. If it is higher, you accept it or the amount is released. If the ticket can't be issued in time, the full amount is released.