Do Airlines Accept Afterpay? Exploring New Travel Payment Options

In recent years, the travel industry has witnessed a significant shift in the way consumers pay for their trips. Traditional methods like credit cards and bank transfers are being joined by newer, more flexible options. One such innovation is “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services, with Afterpay being one of the most popular providers. Many travelers are now wondering: do airlines accept Afterpay? In this article, we will explore how Afterpay works, whether airlines accept it as a payment option, and the benefits and limitations of using Afterpay for booking flights and other travel-related expenses.

Table of Contents

What is Afterpay?

Afterpay is a popular buy-now-pay-later service that allows consumers to split their purchases into four equal installments, paid every two weeks. Unlike traditional credit, there is no interest charged as long as the payments are made on time. Afterpay has gained popularity across a range of industries, from fashion to electronics, and now it’s increasingly being used for travel-related purchases.

Before diving into whether airlines accept Afterpay, let’s first take a closer look at how the service works:

Instant approval: Afterpay doesn’t require a credit check, which makes it easier for consumers to get approved and start using the service.
Payment schedule: Purchases are divided into four payments, which are automatically deducted from your debit or credit card every two weeks.
No interest: As long as you stick to the payment schedule, you won’t incur any interest or hidden fees.
Late fees: If you miss a payment, you may be charged a late fee, which can vary depending on the amount owed.

Do Airlines Accept Afterpay?

The question on every traveler’s mind: do airlines accept Afterpay for booking flights? The answer is not as simple as a yes or no. While many airlines have yet to directly integrate Afterpay into their booking systems, there are still ways for travelers to use this payment method for flight bookings.

Direct Afterpay Integration with Airlines

As of now, only a handful of airlines offer Afterpay as a direct payment option during the flight booking process. However, this is slowly changing as BNPL services like Afterpay continue to gain popularity, especially among younger, tech-savvy travelers who prefer flexible payment options. Some airlines and third-party travel booking platforms have started accepting Afterpay, allowing users to book flights, hotels, and other travel services.

Here are a few examples of how Afterpay can be used for booking flights:

Jetstar: Jetstar, an Australian low-cost airline, offers Afterpay as a payment method for flight bookings. Customers can use Afterpay to pay for domestic and international flights.
Virgin Australia: Virgin Australia also allows customers to pay for flight bookings with Afterpay, enabling passengers to spread the cost over time.
Third-party booking platforms: Websites like Expedia and Webjet offer Afterpay as a payment option, so you can book flights, hotels, and car rentals through these platforms.

How to Use Afterpay for Travel Bookings

If you’re planning to book a flight with Afterpay, here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can use this payment method:

Choose your flight: Visit the airline’s official website or a third-party travel platform like Webjet or Expedia to search for and select your flight.
Proceed to checkout: Once you’ve selected your flight, proceed to the checkout page. Here, you will typically be asked to enter your payment details.
Select Afterpay as your payment method: If Afterpay is available, it will appear as one of the payment options. Select Afterpay and follow the prompts to log into your Afterpay account.
Complete the payment: Afterpay will split your total payment into four equal installments, which will be charged to your card every two weeks. Once the first payment is processed, your booking will be confirmed.

Benefits of Using Afterpay for Airline Tickets

Using Afterpay for booking flights offers several benefits to travelers, including:

Flexible payment terms: Instead of paying for the entire ticket upfront, you can spread your payments over a period of weeks, making it easier to manage your travel budget.
No interest: As long as you stick to the payment plan, you won’t incur any interest charges. This makes Afterpay a more affordable option compared to credit cards with high interest rates.
Instant approval: Afterpay’s quick approval process means you don’t have to go through the hassle of credit checks or long waiting periods, which is especially helpful for last-minute bookings.
Access to promotions: Many airlines and booking platforms offer exclusive discounts for customers using Afterpay, giving you even more value for your travel dollars.

Limitations of Using Afterpay for Travel

While there are plenty of benefits to using Afterpay, there are also a few limitations to consider:

Limited availability: Not all airlines or travel booking platforms accept Afterpay. You’ll need to check if your chosen airline or platform supports the service before you proceed with booking.
Late fees: If you miss a payment, Afterpay charges a late fee, which could add up quickly if you’re not careful with your payment schedule.
High repayment frequency: Afterpay payments are due every two weeks, which might be too frequent for some users, especially if their cash flow is inconsistent.

Alternatives to Afterpay for Airline Payments

If Afterpay is not accepted by your preferred airline, there are other BNPL services that you can explore, such as:

Klarna: Klarna is a BNPL service that offers similar features to Afterpay, allowing customers to split payments into multiple installments.
ZipPay: ZipPay is another option that allows customers to pay for flights and other purchases over time.
PayPal Credit: PayPal Credit offers a flexible payment plan for purchases, including airline tickets, with the added convenience of PayPal’s secure payment processing system.

For more information about different travel payment options, visit this guide.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Afterpay for Travel

Although Afterpay is generally a smooth process, some travelers might encounter issues while booking flights. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Payment not processed: If Afterpay isn’t processing your payment, ensure that your card linked to your Afterpay account has sufficient funds. You can also try re-entering your payment details or contacting Afterpay support if the issue persists.
Afterpay not available: If Afterpay isn’t showing up as a payment option, check whether it is available for the airline or booking platform you’re using. You might also want to ensure you’re logged into your Afterpay account.
Missed payment: If you missed a payment, log into your Afterpay account to make the payment as soon as possible to avoid late fees and negative impacts on your credit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Afterpay is a convenient payment option for those who want flexibility in managing their travel expenses. While it’s not universally accepted by all airlines, more and more travel providers are integrating BNPL services, making it easier for customers to use Afterpay to book flights, hotels, and other travel services. As the demand for alternative payment options grows, it’s likely that even more airlines will start offering Afterpay as a payment method.

If you’re considering using Afterpay for your next trip, make sure to check if your chosen airline or booking platform supports it, and always be mindful of the repayment schedule to avoid late fees. For those looking to explore more payment options for travel, it’s worth checking out alternative BNPL services like Klarna or ZipPay. Happy travels!

This article is in the category Payments and created by DigitalPayHub Team