Pay later, travel now: How travelers are avoiding upfront costs in 2025
An Australia-born service lets travelers reserve flights with as little as 10% down, paying the rest in interest-free installments across up to 26 weeks, with price protection and no credit checks.
A growing number of travelers are turning to Paylater Travel to lock in airfare at today’s prices with only a deposit, paying the remainder in installments over weeks. The Australia-born booking platform, now operating in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, lets customers reserve flights with deposits as low as 10% and pay the balance over up to 26 installments. The service carries no interest and no late fees, and it does not involve credit checks. For families and travelers who budget around a single paycheck or who want more flexibility when prices spike, the model functions like layaway for air travel — a retro concept updated for modern budgeting.
How it works is straightforward. Users search for flights as they normally would, then choose a deposit to reserve the fare. The remaining balance is paid in weekly or bi-weekly installments, up to 26 payments. The fare you lock in is protected: your ticket price doesn’t rise while you’re paying it off, even if prices climb for others. Once the balance is fully paid, the e-ticket is delivered to your inbox. There are no interest charges, no hidden fees, and no impact on your credit score.
Paylater Travel has already helped more than 150,000 travelers take trips they might otherwise have deferred, according to the company. The platform reports a Trustpilot rating of 4.7 stars, reflecting broad satisfaction with the flexibility and ease of managing payments. Travelers describe the service as enabling bookings they could not have afforded upfront and as a tool that lets them tailor payment timing to their budget. In one account, a family used the service to secure trips to Alaska at a price that would have been higher if booked later, and other users highlighted the ability to adjust plans as life changes. The model’s emphasis on transparency — no interest, no late fees, no credit impact — is cited by users as a practical benefit when planning multiple trips.
The company also notes responsive customer service in scenarios where plans change. In a representative account, a service agent helped organize a refund for part of a booking after a cancellation, underscoring the option’s flexibility for families adjusting travel arrangements.
Travel industry observers say the Paylater Travel approach signals a broader shift in how consumers budget for trips. By allowing payment in installments rather than a lump sum, the platform mirrors how many households manage finances today, spreading the cost of air travel across pay periods. The option appears particularly appealing to families and travelers for whom upfront airfare is one of the biggest budget hurdles of planning a trip. Still, it isn’t a universal fit; some travelers prefer to earn airline loyalty points, maximize credit-card rewards, or pay in full to avoid ongoing obligations.
Originating in Australia, Paylater Travel has expanded into the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, a move that indicates airlines and travel operators are adapting to new budgeting habits among global shoppers. The service emphasizes a simple pipeline: search for flights, lock in a deposit, repay over installments, and receive the e-ticket once the balance is settled. Price protection during the repayment window is positioned as a major differentiator in a market where fares can fluctuate weekly.
As the travel landscape continues to adjust to consumer demand for flexibility and control, Paylater Travel’s model adds another option for budgeting trips. For some travelers, freezing a fare today while paying over time may reduce the sting of rising prices and help families plan more ambitious itineraries without delaying plans until funds are available. For others who prefer upfront payment or who rely on credit-card perks, the traditional approach may remain more attractive. Either way, the option underscores how the travel industry is evolving to meet travelers where they are in the budgeting cycle.
In a market starved for clear, consumer-friendly financing options, Paylater Travel’s deposit-and-pay approach adds a layer of choice for travelers navigating volatile airfares. While it may not replace traditional payment methods, it offers a pragmatic alternative for households seeking predictability and flexibility in their travel plans as 2025 unfolds.