Affirm is a payment option that allows customers to split purchases into multiple installments over time. It has become a popular way for consumers to finance large purchases, especially online. With Affirm, customers can secure financing instantly and pay for flights, hotels, vacations, and other travel expenses over time. But can Affirm specifically be used for airline tickets?
The short answer
Yes, Affirm can be used to pay for airline tickets purchased directly from airline websites or travel booking sites. Many major airlines and online travel agencies now offer Affirm as a payment option during checkout. Customers can use Affirm to finance any portion of their flight purchase amount, from a single ticket to an entire family vacation package.
How Affirm works for airline tickets
The process of using Affirm at checkout for an airline ticket purchase is straightforward:
- When shopping for flights on an airline or travel site, look for Affirm as a payment option at checkout.
- Select Affirm and choose your preferred repayment terms. Options may include 3, 6, or 12 months of financing.
- Provide your personal information for a soft credit check to see if you prequalify.
- Review your loan terms and complete the loan if approved. Affirm will pay the airline directly for your ticket purchase.
- Make your scheduled monthly installment payments to Affirm using autopay, bank transfers, etc. There is no prepayment penalty if you wish to pay it off early.
The process takes just seconds at checkout. Loan amounts, terms, and APRs will vary based on your creditworthiness and other factors. Generally the APR ranges from 0-30% for Affirm purchases.
Airlines and sites that accept Affirm
Here are some of the major airlines and online travel agencies that accept Affirm financing for flight bookings as of October 2023:
- American Airlines
- Delta
- United
- Alaska Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Sun Country Airlines
- Expedia
- Travelocity
- CheapOair
- Priceline
- CheapTickets
- Orbitz
- Kayak
The list of participating airlines and travel sites is growing rapidly as Affirm expands its partnerships across the travel industry. Even if you don’t see the Affirm option at first, check back often as more are added.
The benefits of using Affirm for flights
There are several advantages to financing airline tickets with Affirm:
- Pay over time – Break up your flight cost into monthly payments rather than paying the lump sum all at once.
- No late fees – Affirm doesn’t charge late fees on missed payments. However, late payments can negatively impact your credit score.
- 0% APR promotions – Special 0% APR promotions are sometimes offered for a limited time, allowing 0% interest financing on flights.
- Book now, fly later – You can use Affirm to book a future trip and spread payments out until your travel dates.
- All upfront costs covered – Affirm financing includes all taxes, fees, and additional trip costs like bags and seat upgrades.
- Travel perks – Affirm provides access to select travel discounts, rewards, and VIP perks through partner brands.
Using Affirm can make booking award flights, group trips, and other expensive airline tickets much more accessible and budget-friendly. You get the flexibility to pay over time while locking in pricing and seat availability.
Tips for using Affirm for air travel
If you’re considering using Affirm to finance an upcoming flight, keep these tips in mind:
- Shop on Affirm’s partner airlines and sites for access to the financing option.
- Compare terms across 3, 6, and 12 month options to find the best monthly payment for your budget.
- Only finance what you can reasonably afford to repay monthly within the term length.
- Read all loan terms carefully before completing checkout.
- Use autopay to ensure you never miss installment payments and impact your credit score.
- Consider 0% APR promotions when available to avoid interest charges.
- Don’t wait until the last minute – apply in advance for the best rates and chances of approval.
Using Affirm responsibly for flights can be an effective way to make traveling more accessible and affordable for your household. Just be sure to consider your budget and repayment capability before financing any trip.
What types of flights can you finance with Affirm?
Affirm can be used to finance virtually any flight purchase, including:
- Domestic flights within the U.S.
- International and overseas flights
- Multi-city and complex itineraries
- One-way, roundtrip, and open-jaw tickets
- Business, first, and economy class fares
- Main cabin, basic economy, and premium seats
- Group and family package travel
- Vacation packages and flight+hotel bundles
- Frequent flyer and award ticket purchases
No matter your destination or the complexity of your itinerary, Affirm can typically be applied to any airline ticket purchase with a participating carrier or agency. The only limitation is the maximum loan amount, which varies based on your personal approval amount.
Can Affirm be used for other travel purchases?
Yes, in addition to airfare, Affirm can also be used to finance many other common travel purchases such as:
- Hotel rooms and package rates
- Rental cars
- Airbnb, VRBO, and other vacation rentals
- Cruise packages
- Travel activities and tours
- Airport parking
- Travel insurance plans
- Railpasses and ground transportation
Whenever you are booking travel through a major retailer, hotel, rental car agency, etc. look for Affirm at checkout. The financing can cover your entire trip cost all at once, rather than needing to put each component on a separate credit card or loan. This makes budgeting and repayment much simpler.
What you need to get approved
Affirm approves borrowers based on certain eligibility criteria. Here’s what you generally need for approval to use Affirm financing for an airline ticket or other travel purchase:
- A credit score of at least 600
- A demonstrated ability to repay debts responsibly
- Monthly income sufficient to cover repayment installments
- A Social Security Number
- U.S. based bank account and debit card
Keep in mind approvals are also based on the specific loan amount requested and your existing debt obligations. Affirm conducts a soft credit check during checkout which doesn’t impact your credit score. You’ll see loan terms and rates tailored to your situation.
The costs of financing flights through Affirm
When using Affirm, be aware of the costs involved with financing airline tickets or other travel:
- Interest charges – Unless you qualify for a 0% APR promotion, interest will accrue on the loan principal.
- Late fees – While Affirm doesn’t charge late fees, missed payments hurt your credit.
- Impact on credit limits – The loan amount will temporarily lower available credit on other revolving accounts.
- Credit inquiries – Loan applications involve a soft credit check.
Always compare Affirm costs against other financing options like credit cards and personal loans before committing. Make sure the monthly payments align with your budget to avoid late payments and credit damage.
Alternatives to consider
In addition to Affirm, here are some other ways to finance airline tickets and other travel if needed:
- Standard credit cards with points, miles, or cash back rewards
- Travel rewards credit cards with large signup bonuses
- 0% intro APR credit cards
- Taking out a small personal loan
- Using buy now, pay later programs like Klarna or Afterpay for smaller purchases
- Making the ticket purchase with a debit card and budgeting carefully afterward
- Saving up to purchase flights with cash or debit card
Each option has its own pros, cons, costs, and eligibility requirements. Be sure to thoroughly compare all financing methods before deciding what works best for funding your next trip.
Is Affirm right for you?
Here are a few key questions to ask yourself when determining if Affirm is the right financing choice for your flight purchase:
- Is the purchase more than I can comfortably put on a credit card?
- Do I want to pay for my trip over an extended time period?
- Can I handle the monthly payment amounts within Affirm’s 3, 6 or 12 month terms?
- Will I be able to pay on time each month and avoid interest?
- Is my credit score over 600 for the best approval chances and rates?
- Have I compared Affirm costs to other financing options?
In general, Affirm works best for larger flight purchases you want to spread out over predictable installments in 3 to 12 months. Just carefully consider repayment timeframes and your budget before moving forward.
The bottom line on Affirm for flights
Affirm provides a simple and convenient option for financing airline ticket purchases. By letting you divide costs into monthly payments, it can help make flights more affordable. Just be sure to only borrow what you can realistically budget and repay on time each month. Carefully compare Affirm to alternatives like credit cards and personal loans before deciding if it’s the right fit for your travel financing needs.
Used responsibly, Affirm gives travellers more flexibility and access to book trips requiring a larger upfront investment. Do your research and you can fly more often while keeping flights well within your budget via Affirm’s installment plans.