Airlines That Accept eCheck

American Airlines is the only major U.S. airline that lets you pay for a ticket by eCheck. At aa.com you can pay from a U.S. checking or savings account by entering your routing and account numbers; it’s processed as an ACH payment through TeleCheck. Every other major carrier we checked — United, Alaska, and Hawaiian, plus foreign airlines like Air Canada and Aeroméxico — takes only cards, PayPal, or an airline wallet.

How to pay by eCheck on American Airlines

When you book at aa.com:

1. Reach the payment step, then choose the electronic check (eCheck) option.
2. Enter your bank routing number and account number from a U.S. checking or savings account.
3. Submit. The payment clears as an ACH debit, so it may take a few business days to post.

This works for accounts in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s available on aa.com, not through third-party booking partners.

Which airlines don’t take eCheck?

Most carriers accept only cards and digital wallets for a ticket:

• United — credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and travel credits.
• Alaska and Hawaiian — cards and cash at ticket counters (they now share one payment page after merging).
• Foreign carriers — Air Canada, Aeroméxico, and Ethiopian Airlines take cards and region-specific bank methods, none of which is a U.S. eCheck.

Is there a workaround for other airlines?

Yes — several airlines accept PayPal, and PayPal lets you fund a payment from your bank account (a PayPal e-check). That effectively pays for the flight from your checking account, though it clears in a few business days, so book early. It’s not a native eCheck, but it’s the closest option where the airline won’t take one directly. See eCheck vs ACH for the difference.

Common problems

• eCheck only on aa.com. Booking American through a travel site usually removes the eCheck option.
• Timing. ACH takes a few days to clear; don’t cut it close to departure. See how long an eCheck takes.
• Wrong account type. Use a U.S. bank account; foreign accounts can’t send a domestic eCheck.

Booking a whole trip? Check which travel agencies accept eCheck next.

Other eCheck Accepted categories: