Skip to main content

United Airlines Launches Fly Now, Pay Later Travel Payment Plan

Most of us would love to travel now, like, right now. But, having to pay for it right now always seems to get in the way. United Airlines wants to make every impetuous travelers’ dreams a reality with a new “fly now, pay later” option.

This month, the airline became the latest U.S. carrier to add Uplift’s deferred payment plan to its online checkout process. The plan works like most other “buy now, pay later” services that open an additional line of credit specifically for a single transaction. Qualified United customers can now book their airfare immediately, but pay off the expense in anywhere between three and 11 months.

Related Videos
united airlines boeing airplane
United Airlines

In 2017, United began offering the Uplift Pay Monthly service to customers booking United Vacations. For years, customers of Norwegian Cruise Lines, American Airlines Vacations, and Southwest Vacations have been given the option as well. Other travel metasearches like Expedia offer a similar deferred payment option through Affirm. So, the idea isn’t new in the travel industry. With this recent announcement, however, United joins Allegiant and Spirit Airlines by offering the option to travelers booking just flights as well.

The deferred payment option now appears at checkout for travelers booking directly through United.com. Customers must agree to a credit inquiry, then open a line of credit if they qualify. In most cases, the decision is instant, but both could impact credit scores. The bad news? Interest rates range from 9% to a whopping 35.99&. An Uplift executive claims most travelers fall in the mid- to high-teens range. Still, at those rates, some customers may be better off taking out a vacation loan from the local mafia.

In most cases, it makes better financial sense for travelers — assuming they can afford it — to pay for the airfare on a lower interest credit card. Assuming the expense is paid off in a reasonable amount of time, they’re likely to save a boatload in interest payments. Plus, a decent travel credit card will almost always reward travelers with miles or reward points.

However you choose to pay, check out our tips for scoring great airfare deals to Europe, and know the best time to book a domestic flight to save big on U.S. air travel.

Editors' Recommendations

What to Know With Less than 200 Days Until Qatar World Cup
Al Bayt Stadium, where the World Cup will be played in Qatar

With less than 200 days until kickoff, Earth’s most inclusive sporting event, the World Cup, is almost here. Situated in ethnically Islamic Qatar and the Middle East, fans and potential attendees would do well to learn some of the important details to prep for World Cup 2022. Fortunately for them, The Manual has got fans’ backs.

Below is a stroll through key stats, country facts, sustainability efforts, ticketing, accommodations, and flights, as the late November date of soccer's most important event rolls ever closer.

Read more
These are Some of the Best Areas to Stay in London
Big Ben, the U.K. Parliament, and the London Eye in London, England, U.K.

As the U.K.’s largest city and one of the world’s top global cities, London has so much to see and do. This makes London such an exciting travel destination, yet it might also make London feel so intimidating as you’re booking your hotel or vacation rental.

If you’re wondering where’s the best area to stay in London, here’s your handy guide to where you want to stay in order to do more of what you want to do.
City of London
Photo by Tristan Surtel, licensed under Creative Commons, and made available by Wikimedia

Read more
Naya Traveler Launches Immersive Colombian Luxury Tours
A horse stands amidst green fields and rolling hills in the Cocora Valley, Colombia.

International marketing firm ProColombia launched a brand manifesto that calls the country "the most welcoming place on Earth." Though it's a promotional message, it’s hard to deny its truth in a place where “the happiness and diversity of traditions are almost as great as the variety of climates and regions.”

In the magical Gateway to South America, people from the Caribbean and Pacific coast to the massive green Andes Cordillera mountain range down into the Amazon basin spill over with magnetic joy and positive energy. Now you can join in on this boundless adventure with a multitude of assorted trips with Naya Traveler’s personalized and curated itineraries.

Read more