Flights from Sydney starts at $115
The fact that payday hasn’t arrived yet shouldn’t mean that you have to miss out on snapping up a hot flight deal.
If you can come up with the cash by a deadline (so you don't pay interest), these websites will let you book for free or with a small fee/deposit, to let you secure that layby flight.
Where to book layby flights
1. Pay Later Travel
Book the big elements of your trip (flights and hotels) and secure fantastic prices for a small deposit. Then, pay it off over 26 weeks, prior to your travel.
- Upfront deposit on flights starts from just 10%.
- Over 100 airlines to choose from, to destinations around the world.
- Up to 26 weeks to pay off your trip, paid in weekly or fortnightly instalments.
- Available for flights and hotel stays.
- Interest free and no late fees. However, if you miss more than 2 scheduled payments your trip may be cancelled.
2. Virgin Australia
Book your flight now and pay it off over time, interest-free, using Zip Pay (purchases $350–$1,000) or Zip Money (purchases $1,000+).
- Zip fees: $7.95 monthly account-keeping fees while you have a balance. An establishment fee applies for Zip Money purchases. Late payment fees and interest may apply for late repayments.
- Zip policy: You must first sign up and be approved for Zip before you can use the service. This is essentially a line of credit. You'll need to make a minimum monthly repayment of $40 and pay off your purchase in up to 6 months to avoid accruing interest.
3. Qantas
Choose between book now pay later via Zip or hold your fare for $25.
- Qantas fare-hold deposit: $25 to hold your fare.
- Qantas fare-hold policy: The fare-hold is available on select flights. When insurance or carbon offset are chosen you must add these extras after full payment is made. Final payment due dates vary by flight and will be listed at time of purchase. If you don't pay in time, your ticket will be cancelled.
- Zip fees: $7.95 monthly account-keeping fees while you have a balance. An establishment fee applies for Zip Money purchases. Late payment fees and interest may apply for late repayments. Qantas also charges a 1.5% fee for using Zip, capped at $22 per passenger for domestic flights or $120 per passenger on international flights.
- Zip policy: You must first sign up and be approved for Zip before you can use the service. This is essentially a line of credit. You'll need to make minimum repayments per month and repay your purchase within a nominated period (3, 6 or 12 months) to avoid accruing interest.
4. Jetstar
Jetstar is paired with Afterpay – to let you lock in your seat before paying in full to fly.
- Fees: Jetstar charges an Afterpay payment fee of 1.5% of your total booking.
- Afterpay policy: Available on domestic flight bookings costing up to $3,000, including the 1.5% payment fee. Bookings must be made at least 48 hours before departure. Payment will be taken from a nominated bank account every 2 weeks for a total of 6 weeks (4 payments altogether, including the initial amount). If you can't pay, you'll be charged a fee and your Afterpay account will be frozen.
5. Qatar Airlines
Qatar's Hold My Booking feature gives you 72 hours to pay for your flight.
Whether you're waiting for a transfer of funds or need a few days to decide, take advantage of Qatar's Hold My Booking feature.
- Qatar Hold My Booking fees: Varies depending on your region and how long you want to hold your booking for.
- Hold My Booking policy: Must be booked at least 4 days prior to departure. Fare, including price, will be held for up to 72 hours.
6. AirAsia
The award-winning low-cost carrier offers Zip to get you between Australia and more than 140 destinations across Asia.
- Zip fees: $7.95 monthly account-keeping fees while you have a balance. An establishment fee applies for Zip Money purchases. Late payment fees and interest may apply for late repayments.
- Zip policy: You must first sign up and be approved for Zip before you can use the service. This is essentially a line of credit. You'll need to make minimum repayments per month and repay your purchase within a nominated period (usually 3 months) to avoid accruing interest.
7. Flight Centre
It's all about interest-free holidays when you book your dream trip with Flight Centre via humm.
- Airlines you can book with: Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Etihad, Qatar and more.
- Fees: $99 annual fee.
- Book now pay later policy: 12-month interest-free financing for purchases of $400 or more. Applicants must be credit approved and must pay the loan in full by the end of the agreed-upon term.
What are the book now pay later terms with these sites?
Airline/booking site | Buy now pay later service used | Required deposit or fee | Interest-free/cancellation period | Terms |
---|---|---|---|---|
Virgin Australia | Zip |
| Up to 6 months | You must apply and be approved first to pay with Zip. Repayments start from $40 a month and can be in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. Available for purchase of $300+. |
Qantas | Zip | For Zip financing:
For Qantas fare-hold:
| 3, 6 or 12 months | Not available on round-the-world itineraries, flight vouchers, non-flight products and where carbon offset or travel insurance is included in your booking. You must be approved to pay with Zip. Repayments start from $40 a month and can be in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. |
Flight Centre | humm |
| 12 months | Available for holiday purchases of $400 or more. Credit approval required. Minimal monthly repayments are required. |
Pay Later Travel | Stripe |
| 30 days before travel | Interest free and no late fees. However, if you miss more than 2 scheduled payments your trip may be cancelled. |
Qatar |
| 3 days | Must be booked at least 4 days prior to departure. Full payment must be made within within 72 hours. | |
Jetstar | Afterpay |
| 6 weeks | Available on purchases of up to $3,000, including all fees. |
AirAsia | Zip |
| 3, 6 or 12 months | Available on select flights. |
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Ask an Expert
Hi
Was looking at a laybuy for family of (5) from Sydney to Thailand. Hoping to depart Sydney 23 Dec 2023 and depart Thailand 05 January 2024.
Would like to be given 7months to pay off before we fly out. Is that possible.?
Thank you
Kind Regards
George
Hi George,
There are a number of airlines and online travel websites that will allow you to layby flights for up to 12-months. This includes Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar, details of which can be found in this article.
If you wish to book with a different airline or travel agent, I suggest you contact them directly to see what payment plans they can offer you.
Regards,
Stephanie