Quick answer
Can I pay for flights with Ethereum?
Yes. SatFares, a flight booking site paid only in crypto, accepts ETH on the Ethereum main network to pay for flights. Layer-2 networks such as Arbitrum, Base or Optimism are not accepted. Your top-up from $25 is converted to US dollars at the rate locked on the payment page and credited after 12 confirmations. Your balance is then held, not charged, until the e-ticket is issued.
ETH at SatFares
| Coin | Ether (ETH), the native coin of Ethereum |
|---|---|
| Network | Ethereum main network only |
| Not accepted | ETH on Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, zkSync, BNB Smart Chain or any other network; wrapped ETH (WETH) tokens |
| Confirmations before credit | 12 |
| Minimum top-up | $25, chosen in US dollars |
| Conversion | To US dollars, at the rate locked on the payment page |
| Network fee | Gas, paid in ETH on top of the amount sent |
| Refunds | In USDT or USDC, not in ETH |
Which Ethereum network can I use to pay for a flight?
Only the Ethereum main network, sometimes called "Ethereum mainnet" or "ERC20" on exchanges. Our check looks for ETH sent directly to our address on Ethereum. ETH held on a layer-2 network, such as Arbitrum, Base or Optimism, is on a different chain, even if the address looks the same.
Wrapped ETH (WETH) is a token, not native ETH, so it is not credited either. If your ETH is on a layer-2 network, move it to the main network first, or pay with another accepted coin.
How is my ETH converted to US dollars?
At the rate locked on the payment page. You choose the top-up in dollars; the page divides it by the ETH rate, rounds up, and adds a few unique units at the end. It also shows how long the rate is locked. Send that exact amount within that time.
If the transaction is seen while the rate is locked, the locked rate applies. A transaction seen after the lock ends can be valued at a different rate. Once credited, your balance stays in US dollars, whatever the price of ETH does next.
How much ETH do I need for a $500 ticket?
You need $500 worth of ETH at the locked rate, plus enough ETH for gas. The $500 is the price shown at checkout, which 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.
- Top up $500. The payment page shows the exact ETH amount.
- Check that your wallet holds that amount and the gas on top. With ETH, both come from the same coin.
- Send the exact amount. If your wallet offers a "max" button, don't use it: it takes the gas from the amount, so less arrives.
- After 12 confirmations, your balance shows $500.
If an exchange takes its withdrawal fee from the amount you type, add the fee so that the full amount arrives.
What does gas cost when I send ETH?
Gas is the fee of the Ethereum network, paid in ETH. According to ethereum.org, the fee is the gas used multiplied by the base fee plus an optional priority fee. A plain ETH transfer uses 21,000 units of gas, as in the example of that documentation. The base fee rises or falls with demand and is burned; the priority fee goes to the validator.
We have not measured ETH fees in US dollars yet. Our measurements will appear on the real cost of paying in crypto page, with the transaction IDs of our test payments.
What happens if the airline cancels a flight paid in ETH?
You get a refund in USDT or USDC within 7 days, or a balance credit, as you choose. The refund is paid in stablecoins, not in ETH, because your balance has been in US dollars since your top-up was credited. If you cancel yourself, the fare rules of your ticket apply, and any refund is credited to your balance.
Paying with ETH: common questions
Can I pay with ETH on Arbitrum or Base?
No. Only ETH on the Ethereum main network is accepted. Arbitrum, Base and Optimism are separate networks that use the same address format. ETH sent there to our address would not reach Ethereum and may be lost. Move it to the main network first.
How many confirmations does an ETH payment need?
Twelve confirmations on Ethereum. The payment page counts them as they arrive. Your balance is credited in US dollars when the twelfth confirmation is reached. The same count applies to USDT and USDC on Ethereum. If you close the tab, the pending top-up stays under Billing in your account.
Why did less ETH arrive than I sent?
Usually because the gas was taken from the amount. This happens with a "max" button or when an exchange takes its withdrawal fee from the amount. Your payment is matched by its exact amount, so contact support with your transaction ID (TXID), the amount and the time you sent it.
Can I send USDT or USDC on an ETH top-up?
No. Each top-up is checked for its coin. A token sent on an ETH top-up is rejected, even on Ethereum. Start a USDT or USDC top-up instead: USDT on ERC-20 or USDC. If you already sent the wrong coin, contact support with your transaction ID. We can't promise to recover it.
What if the price of ETH changes after I send?
While the rate is locked, the locked rate applies. The payment page shows how long the lock lasts. A transaction seen after the lock ends can be valued at a different rate: don't send a second payment, and keep your transaction ID (TXID). After the credit, your balance is in US dollars.
Is the ticket price the same when I pay in ETH?
Yes. 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, whichever coin you use. Gas is paid by your wallet to the Ethereum network, not to SatFares. The ETH amount depends only on the rate locked when you top up.
Where do I find the ETH deposit address?
On the payment page only, after you choose ETH. It is 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. Copy it again each time you top up.
Sources (1)
- Gas and fees — ethereum.org (checked 2026-10-12)