Fly now, pay later! That’s right. We’ve found some of the best buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers that allow you to book flights now, fly first, and pay for them later.
Can’t wait to get on that flight?
Without further delay, here are the top 6 BNPL providers that allow you to pay later for flight bookings.
Top 5 Buy Now Pay Later Providers for Flight Bookings
1. Affirm Flights
Affirm is one of the most popular BNPL providers and for good reason. Their service is available online and in-store via the app, the Google Chrome extension, and a one-time-use virtual card.
The best thing is Affirm doesn’t charge late fees, prepayment fees, annual fees, or account opening and closing fees. They instead charge an APR (annual percentage rate) of 0 to 30% based on your credit score. Some users may also have to pay a downpayment.
Affirm users can choose from 4 installments spread over 6 weeks or a monthly installment plan. The plan with 4 installments doesn’t incur interest and repayments are every 2 weeks. On the other hand, the monthly installment plan allows you flexible repayment schedules of 3, 6, or 12 months.
You can also request a pre-qualification check to get an estimate of your spending limit. While the pre-qualification check doesn’t affect your credit score, using Affirm for purchases and repayments does.
Here are just some of the airlines Affirm has partnered with that allow you to have BNPL bookings:
5 airlines and flight companies that accept Affirm
- CheapOair
- Alternative Airlines
- OneTravel
- JustFly
- Expedia
Pros
- Multiple repayment plans
- No late fees
- Pre-qualification available
Cons
- Interest charges
2. Klarna Flights
Klarna is another BNPL provider that allows you to book and fly before paying.
Like Affirm, you can access Klarna online and in-store, through their website, the Chrome extension, and a dedicated app. The approval process is instant and they run a soft credit check that doesn’t affect your credit score.
Klarna allows you to split your payments into 4 installments or delay them for 30 days. The 4-installment plan is free of interest and requires payment every 2 weeks. In contrast, the 30-day payment plan is also interest-free, however, full payment must be made within 30 days of flight confirmation.
Klarna also offers a financing service with an APR of 0 to 19.99% that can be paid over 36 months.
When you apply for their Pay in 30 or loan financing options, Klarna may run a hard credit check on you which is likely to affect your credit.
In case Klarna is unable to collect installments after two attempts, the user is charged a $7 late fee.
Airlines that accept Klarna
- Alternative Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
Pros
- 3 financing options
Cons
- Late fees
3. Afterpay Flights
Afterpay is available online and in-store. However, users must download the app and create an account first.
To use it, account holders can select Afterpay upon checking out online or set up an Afterpay Card when shopping in-store.
Since they don’t run credit checks or report late payments, there is little you need to worry about.
Afterpay offers one financing plan of 4 installments spread over 6 weeks. Users aren’t required to pay any interest or monthly account fees.
Airlines that accept Afterpay
- Alternative Airlines
- Webjet
- Jetstar
While the payments are interest-free, Afterpay may charge you a late fee for default payments that start at $10 and go up to 25% of your purchase amount. It’s the highest late fee charged by any BNPL provider on our list. If you’re not sure you can make timely repayments, it’s better to look for another BNPL provider.
Pros
- No interest charges
Cons
- High late fees
4. Uplift Flights
Uplift has partnered with more than 200 airlines around the world. If you like having a wide set of flight options, Uplift is the best BNPL provider for you.
Just book your flight on the merchant partner’s website, choose Uplift at checkout, and you’re done!
Uplift offers users fixed monthly installment plans. They don’t charge a late fee but earn through interest charges which are applicable on certain purchases (APRs of 0 to 36%). Some users may also have to make a downpayment.
Airlines that accept Uplift
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Air Canada
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Caribbean Airlines
- AeroMexico
Uplift only performs a soft credit check on U.S. residents while Canadian residents will undergo a soft and hard credit check. Uplift may also report your account activity to credit bureaus which could affect your credit score.
Pros
- Wide range of options
- No late fees
Cons
- Interest charges
5. Zip Flights
Zip is another BNPL provider with a list of airlines and flight booking options to choose from.
Earlier known as Quadpay, Zipe remains competitive with its 4-installment payment plans.
Their services are accessible in-store and online through the Zip app and partner merchant websites.
You get the benefit of instant approval with no hard credit checks.
Their 4-installment plan allows you to repay the purchase amount in 4 parts over 6 weeks. The first installment is due at the time of purchase.
Airlines that accept Zip payments
- Southwest Airlines
- American Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- United Airlines
- Emirates
- Jetblue
- Expedia
- CheapOair
Zip doesn’t charge interest but it does charge you $1 as a convenience fee for every installment payment.
Pros
- Lots of options
- Charges an affordable $4 convenience fee per purchase
- No interest
Cons
- The first installment is paid upfront
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re planning a quick trip to your parent’s house or a much-needed vacation, you can book and fly first before paying for your flight.
We hope this list has given you the purchasing power to plan, book, and make a long awaited trip happen. By giving you more flexible payment options, BNPL providers like Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay let you enjoy much needed vacation time and pay for them later with lighter installment payments.
Bon voyage!
