Highlights: [•] A highly facile one step protocol for the preparation of alkyl substituted ammonium tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate salts was developed. [•] The broad scope of the protocol is demonstrated by the preparation of a wide range of BF4 and PF6 salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines. [•] The reaction is fast, uses inexpensive bulk chemicals, and leads to high purity products in high yields. [•] The protocol does not require conversion of amine free bases to their chloride salts and avoids preparation of a precursor reagent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]