You’re staring at a flight to London or maybe a quick hop to Vegas, and the price is... well, it’s a lot. We’ve all been there. You want to lock in the fare before it jumps another $200, but your bank account is giving you the side-eye. This is exactly why people started hunting for airlines that take Afterpay.
Honestly, the "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) trend has hit the travel industry like a freight train. It makes sense. Why drop $1,200 today when you could drop $300 and worry about the rest over the next six weeks? But here’s the thing: most airlines won’t let you do this directly on their own websites. It’s kinda confusing. If you go to Delta.com right now, you won't see a big turquoise Afterpay button at checkout.
But don't worry. You can still use it for almost any flight; you just have to know the workarounds.
The Short List: Airlines That Take Afterpay Directly
Only a handful of carriers have actually integrated Afterpay into their own checkout systems. Most of these are based in Australia or New Zealand, where Afterpay basically started. If you are flying with these guys, it’s easy. You just pick your seat, get to the payment page, and select the logo.
- Jetstar: This is a big one. They allow Afterpay for domestic and international flights, but there’s a catch. You usually have to book at least 48 hours before you fly. Also, there’s often a small payment fee (around 1.5% to 2.5%) for the privilege.
- Play Airlines: This Icelandic budget carrier is a newer addition to the list. They’re great for cheap hops across the Atlantic, and they’ve embraced BNPL to make those "spontaneous" trips to Reykjavik more doable.
That's a pretty short list, right? Most U.S. carriers like United, American, or Delta prefer their own branded credit cards. They want you in their ecosystem. However, that doesn't mean you're stuck.
How to Use Afterpay for Major U.S. Airlines
If you're trying to book airlines that take Afterpay in the United States, you'll almost always need to use a "middleman" booking site or the Afterpay app itself. This is the secret sauce.
1. Alternative Airlines
This site is basically the holy grail for BNPL travel. They specialize in "alternative" payment methods (hence the name). They let you book over 600 different airlines—we’re talking Delta, United, British Airways, Emirates, you name it—and pay with Afterpay at checkout.
I’ve looked into their process, and it’s pretty seamless. You search for your flight like you would on Kayak or Google Flights. When you hit the payment screen, Afterpay is right there next to the credit card option.
2. Expedia (via the Afterpay App)
Expedia is a massive name, and while they don't always show Afterpay on their desktop site, you can often "force" it through the Afterpay mobile app. You open the Afterpay app, search for Expedia, and it creates a "one-time-use" virtual card. You use that card number at the Expedia checkout.
3. Webjet and Mix & Match
If you’re in the Oceania region, these are the heavy hitters. They function like Alternative Airlines. You can book Qantas, Air New Zealand, or Virgin Australia and split the cost into those four famous interest-free chunks.
Why Does Anyone Actually Use This?
It sounds like a gimmick, but for a lot of people, it’s a genuine budgeting tool. Flights are weirdly expensive right now. Using a service like this allows you to:
- Lock in "Good" Prices: Airfare changes by the hour. If you see a deal today but don't get paid until next Friday, that deal will be gone. Afterpay lets you grab it now.
- Avoid High-Interest Credit Cards: If you pay on time, Afterpay is interest-free. Most travel credit cards will hit you with 20% to 30% APR if you don't pay the balance immediately.
- Manage Cash Flow: Spreading a $1,000 trip over six weeks is just easier on the monthly grocery budget.
The "Gotchas" You Need to Watch Out For
Look, it’s not all sunshine and free vacations. There are real downsides to booking airlines that take Afterpay that nobody mentions in the flashy ads.
First, refunds are a nightmare. If you cancel your flight, the airline doesn't just send the money back to your bank. They send it to Afterpay (or the travel agent). Then you have to wait for Afterpay to process it and credit your account. If the airline only gives you "travel credit" instead of a cash refund, you still owe Afterpay the full amount of the original "loan." You're paying for a trip you can't take.
Second, spending limits. If you’re a new user, Afterpay might only give you a $500 limit. That’s not going to cover a round-trip ticket to Tokyo. You have to build up a history of on-time payments before they trust you with "airline-sized" money.
Lastly, there are fees. Some sites like Jetstar or Alternative Airlines add a surcharge for using BNPL. It’s usually a small percentage, but it means you’re technically paying more for the flight than someone using a debit card.
Step-by-Step: Booking Your Next Flight
If you're ready to try it, here is the most reliable way to get it done in 2026:
- Check the app first: Download the Afterpay app and search for "Flights" or "Travel." This shows you which stores currently have an active partnership.
- Compare the total cost: Go to the airline's direct site first. See the "real" price. Then go to a site like Alternative Airlines. If the price is $50 higher on the second site, decide if that $50 is worth the convenience of installments.
- Read the cancellation policy: This is vital. Ensure the flight is refundable or at least changeable. Because you are adding a third party (Afterpay) into the mix, any changes to your itinerary get ten times more complicated.
- Have the first 25% ready: Afterpay isn't "Pay Later." It's "Pay a Quarter Now, Pay the Rest Later." You will need that first installment in your bank account the second you hit "Book."
What Happens if You Miss a Payment?
If you're using the standard "Pay in 4" model, they won't charge you interest, but they will charge late fees. It's usually around $8 to $10. More importantly, they’ll freeze your account. You won't be able to use Afterpay for anything else—not even a pair of shoes—until you're caught up.
In the U.S., some users now have access to Afterpay Monthly. This is for bigger purchases (like $2,000 international flights). This version does charge interest, much like a traditional loan or Affirm. Always check if you're clicking "Pay in 4" or the "Monthly" option, because the cost difference is huge.
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Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
- Check Jetstar or Play first if you want a direct connection without a third-party agent.
- Use Alternative Airlines for the widest variety of carriers like Delta, American, and United.
- Always book at least 48-72 hours in advance, as many BNPL travel providers won't approve last-minute "day-of" bookings due to fraud risks.
- Set a calendar reminder for your installment dates. Even though they send emails, you don't want an accidental overdraft because you forgot the $300 flight payment was coming out on a Tuesday.
Ultimately, the world of airlines that take Afterpay is bigger than it looks, but it requires using travel agencies rather than the airlines themselves. If you treat it as a budgeting tool and not "free money," it's a great way to see the world without draining your savings in one go.