The 10 Best Payment Plans for Vacations

Vacations are a time to have fun, sit back, and relax. It’s a great way to let off steam that comes with the monotony of life. The only possible drawback I can think of? The meticulous planning and finances. 

The good thing is, there’s an alternative. The “Book Now Pay Later” vacation payment plans option is increasingly becoming popular and for good reason! 

Imagine this scenario: You need a vacation badly. You’re burnt out from working and the distinction between your work and private life has disappeared, but you don’t have enough in savings to fund your vacay. Should you wave that badly needed vacation goodbye? 

Not quite. This is where payment plans come into play. Payment plan offers range from interest-free policies to low down payments and easy monthly installments. 

Even if you can’t afford a vacation right now, you can still take the leap. Your dream of exploring the City of Light? Vacationing in the Maldives? Payment plans put them all within reach. 

The benefits of using payment plans for vacation packages abound. With so many options in the tour and travel market, it can get a little overwhelming. Don’t fear, this article has you covered. 

Top Vacation Payment Plans

1. Expedia 

Is it really a good buy if you can’t get a travel package at a steal? Where’s the fun in that? Expedia is a pro at finding super low prices on flights and bundles. 

You can book hotels with thousands of options available worldwide. Expedia is particularly useful for finding great deals on all-inclusive resorts. Your dream vacation can cost you less than $1,000 per person and that includes the flights! 

You can save big with Expedia but how does their pay later option work? Expedia have partnered with Affirm for their travel payment plans, this means you can take advantage of 0% interest monthly instalments. To learn more, see Expedia’s handy “book now and travel later” guide on using Affirm at checkout on the Expedia website.

Pros: 

• Expedia offers cheaper bundles. 
• You can make monthly payments towards your vacation. They also offer “Book Now, Pay Later” hotel deals. 
• There is an option to purchase travel insurance. 

Cons: 

• They have subpar customer service. You’ll have to wait a while for someone to respond to your query. On the plus side, they have live chat. 
• Expedia offers unclear details when it comes to room or fare type. If you value comfort during your travels, this can be a deal-breaker. 

2. Southwest Vacations (Great for family vacations and all-inclusive resorts)

With their Uplift payment program, you can book a trip today and set easy monthly instalments that fit your budget. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg every month. These monthly payments can be tailored to your budget allowing you to travel before your loan is paid off in its entirety. Southwest are a particularly good choice if you are looking for all-inclusive vacations with hundreds of resorts to choose from.

Pros: 

• They have customizable monthly payments. 
• They offer an easy application process. 
• There are no charges in the monthly payments, no late fees, and no prepayment penalties. 
• Large range of all-inclusive vacations and resorts (including Mexico and Caribbean)

Cons: 

• Canceled flights are refunded as Southwest Airlines air credit which can be limiting. 
• Canceled land travel, tours, and accommodations are refunded in the form of travel credit from Southwest Vacations. 

3. Funjet (Best for All-Inclusive Packages)

Funjet has a great payment plan if you want to travel and save money at the same time. With a simple downpayment, you can secure the best deals at great rates. 

You’ll have to make your vacation reservation six weeks in advance with deposit options available at checkout. You can schedule a final payment or make multiple payments at zero interest. 

Pros: 

• Cancel any time for any reason. There are no pesky rebooking fees. 
• Reserve a vacation for as little as $50. 

Cons: 

• Reservations are subject to change. 
• Deposit options are not available if you’re traveling during a holiday. 

4. Luxury Escapes 

Luxury Escapes’ Latitude Financing Payment plan offers a 12-month interest-free period. You’ll pay monthly installments, but after the 12-month promotional period, you’ll be charged a pretty hefty 24.99% interest rate. 

Luxury Escapes offers flexible booking dates. That means you can book a limited-time deal for a certain property now and rebook it for a different date later. 

Pros: 

• They have a seven-day refund guarantee. 
• There are no hidden costs. 

Cons: 

• If your preferred date is unavailable, you can’t get a refund. Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. 

5. Contiki 

A small layaway deposit of $99 will lock in your travel dates. Contiki accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. They can accommodate all types of installment plans: weekly, monthly, two payments of 50% each – you name it, you got it. You just have to make the entire payment 45 days before departure. That’s it. 

Pros: 

• There are no interest charges and no fees. 
• They offer flexible payment plans. 
• The Freedom Guarantee ensures you can reschedule travel dates, swap the tour type, or choose a different region to travel in altogether. You can avoid cancellation fees with this feature. 

Cons: 

• Cancellation fees as high as 50% if cancellation is done within one to seven days before departure and 100% if done on the day of departure. 

6. United Vacations (Best for Layaway Vacation Packages)

With United Vacations, you can finance your trip through Uplift. United have a layaway vacation option which allows you to lay down an initial $250 deposit and pay the rest at least 45 days before the departure date. The best part? You can use multiple credit cards to fund your trip.

Pros: 

• If you get the vacation protection package, you won’t have to deal with cancellation fees. You have the flexibility to change or cancel the plan as needed. 
• You can book your entire trip through United Vacations from hotels, flights, car rentals to resorts, airport transfers, and excursion experiences. 

Cons: 

• Airfare is non-refundable. If your flight was canceled, they’ll give you credit you can use within a year as long as your tickets were booked through American Airlines. If not, policies vary from carrier to carrier. 

7. JetBlue Vacations 

JetBlue’s annual percentage rate ranges from a huge 10.99% to 25.99% for a loan term of 12 to 18 months. Their partnership with MarcusPay enables them to offer top-tier package getaways. 

If you want lower rates and longer terms, you’ll need to have excellent credit scores. Additionally, rates are generally higher for longer-term loans. 

Pros: 

• They don’t require a deposit upfront. 
• If you find the same package for a cheaper price within 24 hours of booking, they’ll match it and refund the difference. 

Cons: 

• JetBlue Vacation charges a $200 cancellation fee per person plus additional penalties charged by the hotels. 

8. G Adventures 

Deposits for layaway vacations start at $250. If you’re unsure about a specific tour but don’t want to let the opportunity pass you by, they have a “holding an option” tool that lets you reserve a spot for 48 hours without paying a pretty penny. 

The best part? If you ever have to cancel a trip, change it, or push it back, you’re not forced to use it within a year or two. It’s good for life. You can pay the full balance close to your departure date. 

Pros: 

• They have small groups per trip. This helps you form a closer connection to the places and people you visit on your travels. 
• They offer lifetime deposits. 

Cons: 

• “Optional” activities cost you an additional fee if you decide to purchase. If you don’t want to factor in any additional costs to your budget, you can pass on these. 
• Depending on the trip, guides can be a hit or miss. 

9. Intrepid Travel 

Intrepid Travel provides exemplary flexibility in changing travel plans. There are no change fees as long as you notify them about the changes at least 21 days in advance. You have the flexibility to choose an entirely new trip or pick new travel dates. 

You only need to secure your trip with a deposit and you can pay the rest in installments whenever you like. Just make sure you’ve paid for the trip in full at least 21 days before you’re scheduled to depart. 

Pros: 

• There are no interest and rebooking fees. 
• You can hold your trip for up to 5 days without paying a deposit. 

Cons: 

• If you’re traveling solo, you’ll have to pay a mandatory single supplement fee for certain trip types. 

10. Priceline 

Priceline.com comes through with terrific ways to save on travel. As long as you know how to look for deals, you’ll hit pay dirt.  

Check out Priceline’s Express Deal which can save you anywhere between 10% to 40% off flights. The catch? You don’t know what time your flights will depart. It can be a red-eye for all you know. 

Pros: 

• Priceline offers significantly lower prices. 
• You can place bids for a lower price. If you get it, it’s a win. If you don’t, you lose nothing. 

Cons: 

• Once the fee is charged, you don’t get a refund if you change your mind. 
• You can’t reserve a room for more than 2 people. 

Most popular destinations for vacation payment plans

If you are looking for inspiration for your next vacation then we’ve chosen 5 of the most popular destinations which are available to finance with installments.

Destination	Travel Agent	Payment Plan Options
Las Vegas	Vegas.com	Zero down required. Use Uplift payments at checkout and spread the cost of your trip over 6 months.
Hawaii	Hawaii Aloha	Book your Hawaii trip from as little as $50
Orlando	United Vacations	Book your Orlando vacation with $250 down and make multiple payments. You can even use multiple credit cards to pay.
Jamaica	Funjet Vacations	Book hotel only from $50 and pay later in multiple installments
Cancun	Expedia Vacations	Expedia have partnered with Affirm to offer payment plans to all destinations including Cancun.

Bonus Trip – Disney World Payment Plan

If you’re looking for family vacation payment plans then one of the best is the Disney World payment plan, we’ve written about it before and it’s a great choice if you have kids. Family vacations can be expensive and instalments are a great way to spread the cost. With Disney you can book your vacation and choose how often you want to pay. The payment plans are extremely flexible allowing you to look forward to your next family vacation without the stress of a huge amount leaving your bank account.

Wrapping It All Up 

Payment plans for vacations are probably the best thing for people who don’t mind taking a chance and are flexible in their travel itineraries. With plans offering 0% interest rates and easy installments, who wouldn’t want to travel the world? 

Before you settle on a payment plan, read the fine print. There are multiple “book now, pay later” options available on the market, but some have better deals than others. Always explore your options and take your time in making a decision. Most, if not all travel plans, are non-refundable. Click wisely.