FAQs: AVTRIP’s New Digital Payout

Don’t see the answer to your question? Contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to answer all inquiries about this new, exciting program enhancement.

Haven't selected your payment preference?  Click here if you are an AVTRIP member and wish to select your AVTRIP award payout preference. 

Q: I see points have been deducted from my account.  Where is my award? 
A: You may have seen points deducted from your AVTRIP account on December 31st.   Each year, eligible awards are automatically deducted on December 31.  If you selected a payment method, you will see your award deposited into your account before the end of March (this year’s redemption schedule was extended from January to March due to the new digital transition).   If you have not selected a payment method, your points will be added back to your account later in the year and awarded during the next redemption period once a payout method is selected.  

A: Our digital payout solutions were primarily established based on membership feedback over the years for solutions that:

• Allow for real-time payments
• Are quicker and easier than depositing a paper check
• Mitigate the risk of becoming lost in the mail
• Offer a more sustainable payout option

Q: What are my new payout options?

A: The new payout options include a debit push or ACH directly to a bank account or a deposit into their PayPal or Venmo account. Learn more about the VISA product Avfuel uses for push payments HERE. Learn more about PayPal HERE. Learn more about Venmo HERE.

Q: Is there a way for me to earn my reward without providing debit or bank account information?
A: Yes! You do not need to link a bank account or credit card to PayPal in order to receive funds or make a purchase. You can, however, choose to link your PayPal account to a bank account, a debit card or a credit card account for sending and receiving payments, or transferring funds. PayPal is widely used as a safer alternative to debit or credit cards for online purchases. Most online retailers accept PayPal as a method of payment.

Don’t have an account? Sign up for PayPal HERE. It is free and only requires your email address and a password.

Q: Are Avfuel’s digital payout options secure?
A: Yes! Members can rest assured the processes Avfuel selected have been carefully vetted and ultimately selected due to their security features to help protect our valued members. Their security is on par with, if not more extensive than, household names in digital transactions, like: Venmo, Zelle, Google Pay, etc.

As a general safety overview:

• PayPal and Venmo have become industry-leaders over the decades in safe, secure digital transactions. When selecting one’s PayPal account as a preferred payout method, the member will only share the PayPal email address or phone number associated with the account. When selecting one's Venmo account as a preferred payout method, only the phone number is needed. Additional information on PayPal’s security features may be accessed by clicking here. Additional information on Venmo’s security features may be accessed by clicking here.
• The debit push transaction is as safe or safer than running a credit or debit card at a restaurant. The card data is encrypted and stored in a way that eliminates any access to it, and allows for funds only to be pushed to the card, never taken from the card. This is opposed to a standard retail credit card transaction that is a pull payment (where the merchant pulls money from the account) and the credit card number is viewed by retail staff. Click here to learn about the VISA product Avfuel uses for push payments.

Q: What is a debit push payment?

A: Also referred to as push to debit, a debit push payment is a method of payment whereby a payer (Avfuel) initiates the sending of money to a payee (you). This technology allows funds to be transferred immediately to a consumer’s bank account through their debit card. The debit push transaction is as safe or safer than running a credit or debit card at a restaurant. The card data is encrypted and stored in a way that eliminates any access to it, and allows for funds only to be pushed to the card, never taken from the card. This is opposed to a standard retail credit card transaction that is a pull payment (where the merchant pulls money from the account) and the credit card number is viewed by retail staff. Click here to learn about the VISA product Avfuel uses for push payments.

Q: Will AVTRIP, Avfuel, Tuvoli (Avfuel’s technology partner) or other third-party company have access to my debit information if I opt for a debit push?
A: No, absolutely not. The card data is encrypted and stored in a way that no one can access it, and it only allows for funds to be pushed into the card. Click here to learn about the VISA product Avfuel uses for push payments.

Q: What if I don’t have PayPal?
A: Sign up for PayPal HERE. PayPal is free and all you need to sign up is your email address and a password. Once you’ve signed up and selected PayPal as your payout method, Avfuel will deposit your award into your PayPal account in January each year. You will be able to log in to your PayPal account and either transfer the money directly to your bank account or leave it in your PayPal account as a credit for online purchases. Many people choose to utilize PayPal as a safer alternative to debit or credit cards for online purchases. Most online retailers accept PayPal as a method of payment. You do not need to link a bank account or debit card to PayPal in order to receive funds.

Q: What are the tax implications?
A: It’s an IRS requirement to report income earned from all sources. Even if you don’t receive a 1099, income still needs to be reported on your tax return. You would report income the same for a debit push transaction or PayPal transaction as you would if you were to report a check deposit. Avfuel will provide a 1099 form to AVTRIP members whose awards exceed $600.00 in a year.

Q: What happens if I don’t select a payout method?
A: You will not receive your cash award until your method of payment has been selected. If your method of payment has not been selected by February 28 of a given year, your award will not be deposited until the next annual redemption in January of the following year. Note: You only have to select your payout method once. In subsequent years, you need only resubmit your selection if there are changes to your accounts or preferences. Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions about receiving a digital award payout.