Can You Book Hotels With Affirm? Here’s How

Affirm offers a flexible payment solution known as “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL), extending its reach to various purchases, including hotel accommodations. By partnering with major travel platforms, Affirm provides an avenue for travelers to budget their trips more effectively, transforming a large upfront expense into smaller, scheduled payments.

Understanding How Affirm Works for Hotel Stays

Affirm functions by providing short-term loans that consumers repay in installments. Eligibility for an Affirm loan generally requires individuals to be at least 18 years old, possess a valid U.S. address and phone number, and have a Social Security Number. A soft credit check is typically performed during the application process, which does not negatively impact your credit score.

Affirm offers various loan terms, which can include both 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) options and interest-bearing plans. For smaller purchases, a “Pay in 4” option might be available, splitting the cost into four interest-free bi-weekly payments. Larger hotel bookings often qualify for longer repayment periods, ranging from a few months up to 60 months, though these plans may accrue interest, with APRs potentially reaching up to 36%. The specific terms and interest rates offered depend on your creditworthiness, the merchant, and the purchase amount.

Booking Your Hotel with Affirm

Booking a hotel with Affirm typically involves utilizing their partnerships with major online travel agencies (OTAs) or direct hotel chains. Prominent platforms like Expedia, Priceline, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and Travelocity are known to integrate Affirm as a payment option. For hotels not directly partnered with Affirm, a virtual card can sometimes be generated through the Affirm app, enabling payment wherever Visa is accepted.

The process for booking a hotel with Affirm begins on the chosen travel platform. After selecting your desired hotel and dates, you proceed to the checkout page. Here, you will typically find “Affirm” listed among the payment methods.

Upon selecting Affirm, you are redirected to their platform to complete a brief loan application. This involves entering personal details for a soft credit check, reviewing the available loan options, and choosing a payment plan. Once the loan is confirmed, your hotel booking is secured.

Key Considerations for Your Affirm Hotel Loan

After your hotel booking is complete and the Affirm loan is secured, understanding your financial responsibilities is important for effective loan management. Affirm provides a clear payment schedule, outlining due dates and payment frequency, which can be bi-weekly or monthly depending on your chosen plan. While some loans may be interest-free, others will include interest charges, which are calculated based on the agreed-upon APR and the outstanding loan balance. You can typically make payments to Affirm using a debit card, checking account, or an Affirm Money account, and setting up AutoPay can help ensure timely payments.

Missing a payment on an Affirm loan can have consequences, even though Affirm generally states it does not charge late fees for most loans. However, missed payments can be reported to credit bureaus, potentially impacting your credit score. This could affect your ability to qualify for future loans or credit products.

In the event of a hotel booking cancellation or modification, the refund process is handled directly between the merchant and Affirm. Any refunds are processed back to your Affirm loan, not directly to you, and the loan principal balance and payment schedule will be adjusted accordingly. It is important to note that any interest already paid on the loan is generally not refundable.