Plane Tickets and Pay Later
Many airlines and travel sites offer pay later plans. Read the terms before you book.
Updated . Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.
Where to buy
- Search Google FlightsLive search · google.com
- Search pay later flightsLive search · google.com
- CFPB guide to BNPL loansLink · consumerfinance.gov
Look for a pay later option at the airline's own checkout. Travel sites also offer plans from lenders such as Affirm or Klarna.
Professional insight
Travel agents treat pay later as a loan, not a discount. The fare and refund rules still decide the deal.
- Compare the plan's total cost with the cash fare.
- Ask who refunds you if the flight is cancelled.
- Some plans charge interest on longer terms.
- Book direct to keep changes with the airline.
Check the label
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Financing
| Plan type | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Pay in 4 | Four payments over about six weeks | Late fees |
| Monthly installments | Payments over several months | Interest |
| Hold the fare | Small fee locks the price briefly | Fee is lost if you skip |
| Credit card | Pay the balance later | High APR if carried |
Red flags
- Sites that ask for payment by gift card or wire.
- No lender name or loan terms before checkout.
- Prices far below every airline's own fare.
- Pressure to book before you can read the terms.
Buying steps
- 1Find the fare and note the full cash price.
- 2Choose the pay later option at checkout.
- 3Read the loan terms, fees and payment dates.
- 4Set up automatic payments from a funded account.
- 5Save the airline and lender confirmations.
Common questions
- What happens if my flight is cancelled?
- The airline refunds the lender, then the lender adjusts your loan. This can take time.
- Do pay later plans build credit?
- Some lenders do not report payments to credit bureaus.
- Can I use pay later on any fare?
- It depends on the airline or site. Some limit it to certain routes.