Affirm, PayPal Credit, and Uplift are among the payment services offered by travel companies and airlines that let you book now and pay your trip off over time (with or without interest, depending on which service you use). Some airlines offer their own options for book now, pay later flights and vacation packages, and others offer ways to lock in a rate for a fee.
How do Affirm, PayPal Credit, and Uplift work?
Affirm allows customers to pay a fixed amount over a period of time (up to 36 months) based on a set interest rate, which is displayed at the time of sign-up. Affirm is available only to residents of Australia, Canada, and the U.S. (except for those living in Iowa and West Virginia). You need a phone number (this will be your account number) to sign up. A full list of Affirm’s travel partners, including airlines and accommodations, is available on its website.
PayPal Credit is another payment option accepted by some travel companies. (Simply choose “PayPal Credit” as the payment option after you sign into your PayPal account.) PayPal Credit charges no interest if you pay in full within six months. See the website for complete details and terms.
Uplift also offers financing for travel products. As you add items (for example, flights) to your shopping cart, you’re shown what the per-month repayment amount will be. At checkout, if you select “monthly payment” as your option, you’ll be asked for some personal details; click “check rate” to learn if you’re approved for the payment-over-time option. (Note: Not all fares are eligible.)
Airlines Offering “Book Now, Pay Later” Flights
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines uses Uplift to offer financing for flights. Book your flights as usual; as soon as you add them to your cart, you will see a message saying something like “total price $598.10 USD or from $54/month.” Click on the link for financing details from Uplift. On the payment page, select “pay monthly;” you’ll be asked for the personal information Uplift needs to process your loan request, with the approval/denial decision displayed almost immediately.
Allegiant
Allegiant Air also uses Uplift to provide a monthly payment option. Just book your flight and choose “pay monthly” when given the option on the payment page.
American Airlines
American Airlines permits you to use PayPal to pay for your ticket if your billing address is in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Canada, or the U.K. Choose PayPal on the payment page, then sign into your PayPal account and choose PayPal Credit. You can also use Affirm to pay for American Airlines flights, while American Airlines Vacations allows you to use Uplift to make monthly payments. (Choose “pay monthly” on the payment page, then follow the instructions.)
Azul
Azul Airlines, a low-cost Brazilian airline, accepts payments through Uplift or PayPal.
Delta Air Lines
Delta offers PayPal Credit as a payment option. If you book your trip through Delta Vacations, you can pay using Affirm.
Frontier Airlines
Budget carrier Frontier Airlines uses Uplift, too, but itinerary cost must be over $100 to be eligible for this payment option. (If your booking qualifies, you’ll be offered the option when checking out.)
KLM
KLM offers customers the option of holding a fare for 72 hours for a non-refundable fee. It’s a good option for those instances where you find a great fare but want a day to think about it.
KLM also offers Bill Me Later, via PayPal on the payment page. Once you choose this option, you’re asked to sign into your PayPal account. (Note: while the KLM website refers to it as “Bill Me Later,” it’s called PayPal Credit on the PayPal website.)
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers many payment options on its website, including Uplift and PayPal. Note: some payment options are available only in certain countries.
Porter Airlines
Porter, a Canadian airline that offers flights to Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean, allows customers to use Uplift and PayPal to purchase tickets.
Qatar Airways
Depending on the country in which you are located, you may be able to put your Qatar Airways booking on hold for up to 72 hours for a fee. (You’ll see the option on the payment page.) The fee is non-refundable and is in addition to the ticket price. You can also use PayPal to purchase your ticket.
Southwest Vacations
Southwest Vacations allows you to book any combination of flight, car, and/or hotel, then choose whether to pay in full or via monthly payments using Uplift.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines allows you to pay over time by way of Uplift and Affirm.
Sunwing
Sunwing, a Canadian-based charter and scheduled service airline that features flights to the Caribbean, offers pay-over-time via Uplift and PayPal
United Airlines
United Airlines offers Uplift and PayPal Credit as payment options. (Note: some fares are not eligible for Uplift.) United also offers FareLock on itineraries wholly operated by United Airlines and/or United Express. FareLock allows you to pay a non-refundable fee to hold a particular fare for three, seven, or 14 days without paying for it.
Volaris
Volaris, a Mexico-based airline, offers monthly payment plans for flights departing more than 36 hours in the future through Uplift and PayPal Credit.
Online Travel Agencies Offering Monthly Payment Options
CheapOair.com
CheapOair gives customers a monthly payment option via Affirm.
Funjet Vacations
Funjet Vacations offers Uplift as a way to make monthly payments on its flights and vacation packages.
Priceline
Priceline uses Affirm to handle monthly payments (three-, six-, or 12-month repayment options).
Twist’s Take: Planning a trip but don’t want to pay for it all at once? You’ve got (monthly payment) options.
