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I used a buy now, pay later service to book a flight. It was convenient, but I’m never doing it again.
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Choncé Maddox
- I needed to book a last-minute flight last year, and I used a buy now, pay later service.
- While it was convenient at the time, it was frustrating continuing to pay for a flight long after I took it.
- I also missed out on the rewards I would have gotten if I had been able to use my credit card.
When I needed to book an emergency last-minute flight last year, I turned to a service called Uplift, one of many buy now, pay later programs. Being able to break up the cost of the ticket into smaller, manageable payments seemed like the perfect solution during a stressful time. I didn't have time to overthink my decision.
It felt convenient and gave me quick access to what I needed. But as the months went on, I realized paying off a flight after the travel had already happened wasn't a great experience. It felt counterintuitive and weighed heavily on how I budgeted for the months ahead.
While BNPL is marketed as an easy and flexible payment option, using it for travel raised some financial red flags for me. I couldn't help think, would I do this again? The answer is no.
Here's why I wouldn't make paying for travel with BNPL a habit and why you might not want to, either.
The allure of convenience (and why it's not always worth it)
The biggest draw of BNPL services like Uplift, Klarna, and Afterpay is convenience. These platforms allow you to buy goods, book travel, shop, or buy flights without having to pay the full cost upfront. With just a couple of clicks, you can finance almost anything you need.
During my childhood, I was familiar with a similar concept, but it came with a key difference. My mom was a pro at layaway. She used it to pay for back-to-school clothes, Christmas gifts, and anything else we needed. The concept was simple: Make payments over time, and once the item was fully paid off, you received it. While layaway required delayed gratification, it was a safe and thoughtful financial strategy.
BNPL flips that idea completely, giving you immediate access to goods or services while requiring you to make payments later. This might feel empowering at the moment, especially for last-minute expenses like my flight. Yet, the emotional and financial impact of paying for something long after you've enjoyed it isn't quite the same.
Paying for travel after it's over feels burdensome
Once my emergency was resolved, I returned home and began budgeting for upcoming expenses like groceries and utilities. The BNPL payments for my flight, however, still hung over my head. It's frustrating to watch your earnings go toward something you've already "used up" rather than toward your current lifestyle or savings.
If you frequently use BNPL for travel or anything else, it can easily complicate your financial planning. Travel is one of those expenses where future planning is key. For example, many people book trips months in advance to save on costs and spread out budgeting. Adding a BNPL payment into the mix while planning your next getaway increases the risk of overlapping travel expenses, creating a cycle that's difficult to manage.
No travel rewards or perks
Another downside of using BNPL services for flights is the complete lack of travel rewards. Many travelers, myself included, rely on travel reward programs to maximize their spending. For instance, airlines and travel rewards credit cards often offer frequent flyer miles, hotel points, or cashback on purchases related to travel.
Accumulating these perks can lead to free flights, upgraded seating, and discounted stays. When you choose BNPL, you're likely to pass these loyalty programs entirely. The payments generally don't translate into any type of rewards program, leaving you to pay full price without any added benefits.
Credit cards offer more flexibility if you use them wisely
Speaking of credit cards, while I don't advocate for putting vacations or unnecessary luxuries on your card without a plan to pay them off, a credit card is often a smarter choice than BNPL for emergencies. Many credit cards come with travel insurance, rewards programs, and even perks like TSA PreCheck or lounge access if you spend enough.
I have a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, but I couldn't find a good deal with that airline at the time for my flight, and I didn't have enough points to use just yet. Though I appreciated avoiding credit card debt, I found myself juggling these fixed payments of over $100 for the BNPL plan through Uplift with other financial responsibilities, making it feel less helpful in practice.
If I had used a travel rewards credit card for my emergency flight, I could have earned points to put toward future travel or redeemed perks such as early boarding. Plus, with many credit cards offering 0% APR introductory rates, it's entirely possible to treat a credit card purchase like a BNPL plan — by paying it off before the interest kicks in.
While BNPL services like Uplift do offer convenience in a bind, they're not without their downsides.
For those considering BNPL for similar situations, I recommend evaluating your options carefully. If you already have a travel rewards credit card or access to a 0% APR promotion, you may find you have better alternatives for financing emergency trips.
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By: insider@insider.com (Choncé Maddox)
Title: I used a buy now, pay later service to book a flight. It was convenient, but I’m never doing it again.
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/never-using-buy-now-pay-later-again-better-option-2025-3
Published Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:36:01 +0000
I’m Jason, and I write for ValleyNewspaper.com!
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