Top 10 Use Cases of Cash To Card Kiosks

It’s 2026, and digital payment technologies continue to evolve rapidly. An increasing number of businesses are adopting the latest fintech to meet customer demand for a fast and secure payment experience. However, new research released at the start of the new year shows widespread public support for legislation requiring businesses to continue accepting cash. 

The study cites several reasons, including accessibility for unbanked consumers and the need to keep cash on hand in the event of a national security threat or natural disaster that could compromise or disrupt digital payment systems. Cash-2-Card® Kiosks serve as a vital bridge for businesses that wish to accommodate all customers with a modern payment experience while eliminating manual cash handling and overhead.

In this article, we’ll cover the Top 10 business use cases for Cash-2-Card® Kiosks by industry, and how they can resolve operational challenges without excluding cash-only customers.

Cash-to-Card Kiosks in a Cash-Light Payment Environment

Cash handling management is a costly endeavor, requiring employees to spend hours on reconciliation, scheduling armored transport or security logistics for deposit runs, and more. Not to mention, accepting cash from customers is a time-consuming process that leads to long waiting times and frustration for everyone involved. 

Businesses across all industries are transitioning away from cash handling duties to streamline their operations, improve transaction speed, and ultimately reduce the security risks and liabilities that are par for the course when handling cash. Yet, despite the dominance of digital payments, cash remains king for certain customer demographics, such as those who are unbanked or over 55 years old.

Every customer deserves to make purchases using the payment method of their choice. Cash-2-Card® Kiosks support businesses with digital-first operations while also ensuring cash-paying customers can make their purchases just like everyone else.

Top 10 Use Cases for Cash-to-Card Kiosks Across Industries

Let’s explore the Top 10 use cases for Cash-2-Card® Kiosks by industry, specifically in high-volume establishments where fast transactions, security, and payment accessibility matter the most. 

Each operational use case below is unique and not a one-size-fits-all example that would work for every business. It’s always best to consider your unique business case and customer demographic when deciding whether Cash-2-Card® Kiosks will help you accommodate your customers’ payment preferences.

1. Stadiums and Sports Venues

Stadiums and other sports venues have the capacity to serve thousands of customers on any given game day. Such high-volume environments must operate like clockwork, serving fans quickly and conveniently at their concession and merch stands or via in-seat ordering, especially during their busiest moments, such as halftime or intermission.

Cash-2-Card® Kiosks enable sports fans to convert their cash into a prepaid debit card, eliminating the need for cash drawers and staff-customer cash exchange. By using their contactless card, staff can serve more fans per minute, so that fans never miss a minute of the game or match.

When fans use Cash-2-Card® Kiosks throughout the stadium, they’ll have a smoother fan experience where they can quickly and securely purchase what they need for the ultimate game day experience. At the same time, venue managers reap smoother operational workflows and a more consistent revenue flow on game days.

2. Amusement Parks and Attractions

Today’s amusement parks and attraction venues often operate as fully cashless environments to reduce operational friction and to better serve large crowds of parkgoers.

Cash-2-Card® Kiosks enable cash-carrying thrill seekers to seamlessly participate in fast and secure payment transactions without disrupting the amusement park’s cashless-first payment landscape.

Instead of missing out on the fun due to long payment lines, the prepaid debit cards park attendees will receive simplify spending at food stands, games, and merch locations across the park grounds.

3. Airports and Airlines

U.S. airports alone serve more than three million airline passengers daily. However, millions more travelers frequent airports globally. They are diverse in their payment preferences, with many relying on cash and currency exchange, digital payment cards, or mobile wallets, and other methods.

Cash-2-Card® Kiosks help travelers stay on time by expediting payments they make throughout the airport, including:

• Checking in luggage
• Upgrading seats
• Pre-paying for in-flight meal options
• Bars, restaurants, and lounges throughout the airport
• Airport lounge access
• Vending machine payments
• Duty-free and other retail shopping establishments
• Airport parking
• Pre-flight massages and other spa treatments

4. Entertainment Venues

Entertainment venues are no strangers to large, excited crowds eager to enjoy their favorite musicians or acts. Concert halls and other venues offering live events understand the importance of speedy customer transactions to keep the lines moving so that event-goers don’t miss a single minute. Cash-2-Card® Kiosks for entertainment venues keep the crowds moving through the payment lines, allowing them to return to their seats quickly. They also make any entertainment venue safer and more secure by reducing the risk of theft or money loss.

For pop-up or one-day events, temporary entertainment venues would benefit from on-the-go payment flexibility without the need for a physical kiosk. ReadyFLEX® allows staff to quickly and easily load a customer’s cash onto a prepaid debit card via a handheld device from one event to the next.

5. Retail Stores

Retail establishments utilize Cash-2-Card® Kiosks to minimize the risks and costs associated with cash handling while remaining compliant with all cash acceptance laws. The benefits don’t stop there, though. 

Once customers convert their cash into a prepaid debit card, they’ll have a fast and seamless checkout experience, as well as more individualized attention from staff who no longer need to worry about accepting cash directly or counting back change.

6. Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals, clinics, and medical campuses serve patients and visitors of all financial stripes—some with access to digital payments and others who are unbanked and rely on cash.

Cash-2-Card® Kiosks significantly improve accessibility in pharmacies, parking garages, on-site gift shops, and cafeterias, providing patients and visitors with whatever they need to make their visit or stay less stressful than it may already be.

Digital payment technologies in healthcare facilities streamline back-of-house operations while greatly reducing the administrative burdens common with cash handling in patient-centered and other sensitive-care environments.

7. Schools and Universities

Students, faculty, and campus visitors are constantly on the move. From designated class times to pre-planned study sessions and scheduled guest speakers, educational campuses use Cash-2-Card® Kiosks to keep everyone moving, especially in places like the following:

• Campus cafeteria or dining facilities
• Bookstores
• Student services
• Campus merch stores
• Tuition payment offices
• Printing and copying centers

International students, cash-preferred visitors, or unbanked students and guests don’t have to worry about waiting in long payment queues and missing part of a lecture or event, with Cash-2-Card® Kiosks available across campus. These inclusive digital payment solutions provide fair and equal access campus-wide, while being extremely compatible with closed-loop campus payment systems.

8. Transit Systems

Transit agencies take in small and large payments from travelers of all financial backgrounds. Cash-2-Card® Kiosks support cash-only and cash-preferred travelers to quickly get on their way by accepting their cash and returning a prepaid transit card, affording travelers the ease and security of contactless travel.

Prepaid transit cards eliminate the need for direct cash handling and significantly reduce security risks for operators, creating a safer transit system for both travelers and staff.

9. Lodging and Hospitality

Lodging and other hospitality establishments use Cash-2-Card® Kiosks to support their on-site cashless amenities. Instead of being turned away from the bar or restaurant, cash-only guests can quickly exchange their cash for a prepaid debit card that they can then use throughout the hotel, providing them with equal access and a superior guest experience..

International guests may only have exchanged currency and may not have access to a credit card or bank account. After converting their cash, they can seamlessly and securely spend throughout the hotel and beyond, wherever major credit cards are accepted.

10. Corporate Dining

Corporate dining facilities adopt digital-first payment solutions to streamline operations and significantly improve efficiency and throughput. Of course, employees and guest diners also benefit from these solutions. In particular, Cash-2-Card® machines enable cash-toting diners to quickly convert their cash and purchase their meal without having to count out cash or being turned away altogether. 

Since facility staff will no longer be burdened with time-consuming cash handling duties, daily operations run smoother, with staff refocusing their energy on creating a memorable dining experience for all guests.

What Businesses Gain From Cash-to-Card Kiosks

No matter your industry or unique business use case, every business stands to gain significant operational and financial benefits by offering cash-preferred customers access to Cash-2-Card® Kiosks, starting with:

• Superior operational efficiency
• Significantly reduced cash handling costs
• Improved levels of security
• Increased customer throughput and higher sales volumes
• Higher revenues
• Compliance with local or statewide laws requiring cash acceptance
• Inclusion for cash-paying customers 

Ready Credit as a Leader in Cash-to-Card Kiosk Solutions

Every customer should have the right to use cash, while also benefiting from a modern, digital payment experience. The future of payments worldwide is flexible and inclusive, not exclusionary.

Ready Credit’s Cash-to-Card Kiosks enable businesses to reach (and retain) those customers, as they transition away from direct cash transactions.