Cash is no longer king

Goodbye, quid-coins and crumpled fivers—the UK is sprinting toward a cashless future. A 2023 report by UK Finance revealed that cash transactions plummeted to just 14% of all payments, down from 28% in 2019 (source). Meanwhile, contactless payments now dominate, accounting for 90% of all card transactions in 2024. For a nation once obsessed with “having a bit of spare change,” this shift is seismic—and it’s leaving the tipping economy in a pickle.

The Tipping Dilemma: No Cash, No Gratitude? For UK service workers—pub staff, delivery riders, hairdressers—tips aren’t just niceties; they’re critical income. But as Brits ditch cash, tipping has hit turbulence. A 2023 study by UKHospitality found that 68% of customers prefer tipping via card, yet 42% admit they “forget” without a cash prompt (source). Worse, apps like PayPal often deduct fees, shrinking tips by up to 10%!

The result? A growing “generosity gap.” The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that 23% of Brits now rarely carry cash, and younger demographics are even less likely to have coins jingling in their pockets. Imagine pulling pints at a bustling London pub, only to watch tips vanish because patrons can’t (or won’t) tap-to-tip.

Enter airtip —the UK’s answer to frictionless, fee-free gratitude. This app lets you tip instantly via QR codes, NFC taps, or even a cheeky Instagram DM. No fees, no fuss, no forgotten fivers.

Why Brits are buzzing:

• Keep It All: Unlike PayPal, airtip passes 100% of your tip to workers.

• QR Codes Rule: Scan, tip, and carry on—ideal for food trucks, markets, or your favourite corner café.

• Social Shoutouts: Tag your go-to bartender or barista with a tip (and a 💂 emoji for flair).

With 82% of UK pubs and restaurants now using QR codes for menus, airtip slots perfectly into the UK’s cashless culture. Even better, it’s backed by UK financial regulations, so your tips are safe as houses.

Cash might be retiring to the Cotswolds, but tipping is alive and kicking. Ready to upgrade your generosity game? Ditch the shrapnel, grab your phone, and let airtip turn every “cheers, mate” into real support. 🇬🇧✨