Book now, pay later for your next airline tickets
It’s already that time of year, when some people start financial belt-tightening before the holidays. But you can’t wait until the last minute to spend money on plane tickets for holiday travel. Good news: A few U.S. airlines are offering zero-interest deferred payment options for booking flights, letting you lock in better airfares before the holidays, but pay for them later.
Deal: For example, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and U.S. Airways all offer “buy now, pay later” options for purchasing flights. You must read the detailed terms and conditions for each credit line to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Most airlines require you to pay in full by the end of the promotional period (90 days to 6 months) to avoid any finance charges or hefty applied interest rates of 20–25%+ (APR).
Have you ever tried deferring payments for flights? Let us know if it worked out or not.
When: American Airlines is offering zero-interest “Fly Now, Pay Later” options for up to 6 months (no minimum purchase required). Continental Airlines is offering zero-interest “Bill Me Later” options for 90 days (no minimum purchase) up to 6 months (minimum purchase $800). U.S. Airways is offering interest-free “Bill Me Later” options for 90 days (no minimum purchase) for flights booked by December 31, 2007.
Why Go: If you pay in full during the timeframe specified by the airline’s credit program, you’ll avoid the interest you’d otherwise pay by charging it to your credit card.
Why Not: If you can’t afford to pay for your flight now, will you realistically have more money left after the holidays? Those who don’t pay their outstanding balances on time will be slammed by higher interest rates than those charged by some credit cards.
Contact: American Airlines, (800) 433-7300
Continental Airlines, (800) 523-3273
U.S. Airways, (800) 428-4322
Related links:
Finding the right time to lock in airfares takes strategy — and luck
Southwest Airlines: Thanksgiving fare sale
AirToHawaii.com: Flights for less, or more?
— Sara Benson
[Photo: Courtesy of American Airlines]
27 Comments on “Book now, pay later for your next airline tickets”
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October 22nd, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I need an airline ticket for my family and I to Ghana I will pay later.
Nicholas
November 7th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
very well written this article with simple write-up :)
November 12th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Do you buy Southwest Airlines free pass, round trip to any where they fly?
I have one good to 12-31-07.
Please advise.
Bob Crouch
November 30th, 2007 at 3:03 am
i need to book an airline ticket from Ghana to the UK.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I have a bad credit but have a direct checking deposit. I am looking for a “Fly now, Pay later” plan that would auto deductible from such direct deposit account. Is there a financier around?
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 am
i need a ticket to go to philippines its urgent i hope u can help me on this i will pay later…god bless
garvin
April 8th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
i need a ticket from houston tx to richmond va on june 12th,2008
April 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I need 2 tickets for me and my 8 year old grand baby to attend a close relative’s wedding in Toronto, Canada.
April 19th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Hi, I need a plain tickets for me and my 10 yrs old daughter to go in the Philippines,but I have to pay this later, pls let me know if I can do this or if you can help me, I would really appreciate it.
Thank You Very Much,
Lilia S. Archibald
June 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I need a nonstop round trip flight
from Houston, hobby, to Bob Hope airport in burbank california. Two
adults. Buy now pay later.
The leave dates; July 21st. @ 5:00 pm.
The return date: July 28th.; Leave at 2:00 pm.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Time is winding down for the 21st. of July, leave date and return date is July 28th., nonstop from hou hobby to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California.
If I don’t hear from you by the 30th. of June; I am looking else where. I have already submitted a
request. Loyce
July 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I need a one-way ticket to Arizona from SLC. I need to come home from school. I will pay later.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I need serious help. I need airline ticket to Norway. I’m broke right now, but will pay later. August 14th to August 17th. Thanks.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET AN AIRLINE TICKET THAT I WOULD JUST PAY AFTER 3 MONTHS? FOR ME AND MY SON TO GO VISIT DiSNEY LAND HONKONG? please tell me. thaks a lot>
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:38 pm
is it possibe for me to pay at least 3 months after i fly to disneyland with my son this coming december 14,2008? PLEASE TELL ME, I REALLY WANT TO MAKE MY SON HAPPY ON HIS 4TH YEAR B-DAY, THANKS A LOT!
August 13th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Hi I’m planning a trip to Morocco Leaving from Philadelphia airport destination Casablanca Morocco end of Feb. early March, 2009 and was wonderring if there is a way to book a ticket now andpay it off. Please lat me know what are my options.
Thanking you,
Hamid
September 18th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
is it possible to get an airline ticket that i would just pay after 3 months?for me and my niece to go to singapore,without seing her father for eleven long years.
please tell me,thanx a lot i need your help,she seriously wants to meet her father.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I Need A ticket Chicago to Tampa OnyWay On the 19th of Oct.2008 ubale to have enough Money Available Until the 15th of Nov Please let me know what are my options if there any.
Thank You & God Bless
January 16th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Do you offer your services to Guam residents “fly now pay later” ?
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
where can i get a fly now pay later ticket from toronto to philippines? just need it urgent! would appreciate all the help.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
can you pls hekp me in getting a fly-now-bill-later ticket to las vegas, nevada from toronto, canada april 2 - april 5 or 6…
will issue chequing to directly take from account….let let me know asap.
thank u kindly..
March 31st, 2009 at 12:07 pm
where can we buy a fly now pay later ticket to manila philippines.hope you can help us?thanks in advance
May 8th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Can I still qualify if I have no income at the moment but have average credit score?
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
hi,where i can get plane ticket from toronto to philippines,i will pay it later.thanks God bless
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I wish to travel to Africa at the end of the year and would like to start paying for my tickets now - I intend to have the ticket paid up by the time of travel; is it possible to lock-in a price now and start making payments on a monthly bases?
July 26th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I need a ticket from florida to maine….military
October 5th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Need to travel to san juan puerto rico in december I need help