What Airlines Use Affirm for Flight Payments?

Affirm is a financial technology company that provides point-of-sale loans, allowing consumers to pay for purchases over a set period. This “buy now, pay later” option enables individuals to acquire goods or services immediately and manage the cost through scheduled installments, including for travel expenses.

Airlines Partnering with Affirm

Several major airlines and online travel agencies have established partnerships with Affirm to offer flexible payment solutions for flights. American Airlines directly provides Affirm as a payment option for flight bookings on its platform. This allows travelers to finance their airfare without needing to pay the full amount upfront.

Online travel agencies also partner with Affirm, expanding its reach. Platforms like Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, Travelocity, and CheapOair allow customers to utilize Affirm for flight purchases across a wide array of carriers.

Booking sites like Fly Fairly and Alternative Airlines also facilitate Affirm payments for hundreds of global airlines, including major carriers like Delta Airlines and United Airlines, through their own integrated systems. These partnerships mean that even if a specific airline does not directly offer Affirm, booking through a partnered travel agency can still provide this payment flexibility.

How to Use Affirm for Flights

Using Affirm to finance a flight purchase begins during checkout on a participating airline’s website or online travel agency. After selecting the desired flight and entering passenger details, customers proceed to the payment section. The option to pay with Affirm will be presented.

Upon selecting Affirm, the user is redirected to Affirm’s secure platform to complete the application. This involves providing personal information, such as a mobile number, email address, date of birth, and the last four digits of a Social Security number, for an eligibility check. Affirm performs a soft credit check at this stage, which helps determine eligibility and potential loan terms without impacting the applicant’s credit score.

A real-time decision is provided, outlining the available payment plans. The customer then chooses a suitable payment schedule and confirms the loan, after which the flight booking is finalized. For merchants that do not directly offer Affirm, a virtual card can sometimes be generated through the Affirm app and used like a regular credit card at checkout.

Understanding Affirm Payment Options

Affirm offers various payment structures. For smaller purchases, a “Pay in 4” option provides four interest-free payments made every two weeks. For larger flight expenses, customers can choose installment plans ranging from 3, 6, 12, 18, or even up to 24 months, depending on the purchase amount and individual eligibility.

Interest rates for these longer-term plans can vary from 0% to 36% Annual Percentage Rate (APR), determined by the applicant’s creditworthiness. However, 0% APR offers are sometimes available for qualified buyers, making the financing interest-free. A notable aspect of Affirm’s model is its transparency, as it generally does not charge hidden fees, late fees, or compound interest, meaning the borrower will not pay more than the agreed-upon total. Eligibility for Affirm financing requires individuals to be at least 18 years old (19 in Nebraska), possess a valid U.S. phone number, and reside in the United States. While a soft credit check is performed during the application process to assess eligibility without affecting the credit score, timely repayment of Affirm loans can positively influence an individual’s credit history.