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11 airlines and websites offering layby flights to book now and pay later
Secure that bargain holiday by laybying your flight with these websites.
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.
1. Flight Centre
It’s all about interest-free holidays when you book your dream trip with one of Australia’s leading travel agencies: Flight Centre.
It’s no secret that holidays can put a dent in your wallet and if you have to borrow money with interest attached to pay for it when the price is right, that’s extra cash you could be spending on a mojito on the beach. Flight Centre has the answer.
- Airlines you can book with: Tigerair, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Etihad, Qatar and more.
- Deposit: Varies.
- Book-now pay-later policy: Interest-free (for 6-9 months) holidays are for purchases of $999 or more. Applicants must be credit approved and must pay the loan in full by the end of the agreed upon term. Weekly, fortnightly and monthly payment agreements a
Go to Flight Centre website View coupon codes for Flight Centre
2. Virgin Australia
Need a few days to submit your annual leave before committing to that holiday? Virgin Australia has the answer.
It’s called the Hold This Price option and lets you secure the price of your flights for up to two days so you can figure out your finances/annual leave/group situation before committing to purchasing your ticket.
- Airlines you can book with: Virgin Australia.
- Fee: $15
- Hold this fee policy: The Hold This Price option is available for select flights only and lets you hold the price of a flight for 48 hours for an Elevate fare or 72 hours for a Freedom or Business fare. Fee must be paid in full via credit card.
Go to Virgin Australia website View coupon codes for Virgin Australia
3. Hawaiian Airlines
Considering a an Hawaiian island getaway, road trip around The States or Asia/South Pacific getaway but need some extra time to think it over? Hawaiian Airlines has your back.
While it doesn't have a layby option so to speak, the airline does offer a generous fare-hold period. Seven days to be exact. That's enough time to convince the crew to go on a well-deserved, don't you think?
- Airlines you can book with: Hawaiian Airlines
- Fees: $6-11 depending on your route.
- Fare-hold policy: Fare-hold is only available for flights book directly with Hawaiian Airlines. Fee is non-refundable and does not go towards your ticket fare. Flight must be purchased by the expiry date provided during the reservation process or the rese
Go to Hawaiian Airlines website View coupon codes for Hawaiian Airlines
4. Qatar Airways
Take up to 72 to pay for your flight with Qatar Airways.
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.
- Airlines you can book with: Qatar
- Fees: Varies
- Book-now pay-later policy: Must be booked at least four days prior to departure with 72 from the time of booking to pay.
Go to Qatar Airways website View coupon codes for Qatar Airways
5. Jetstar
When there are so many bargain flights to be had it can be hard to resist snapping them up. That’s why Jetstar has paired with Afterpay – to let you save your seat before paying in full to fly.
Any budget flyer will know that Jetstar constantly tempts us to impulsively purchase a cheap-as-chips flight, but if you’re unsure whether it’ll work out or not, the carrier’s Price Lock guarantee can bring you peace of mind.
- Airlines you can book with: Jetstar.
- Fee: $11
- Afterpay policy: Available on domestic flight bookings between $200-$1,000 made at least eight weeks before departure. Payment will be taken from a nominated bank account every two weeks. If you can't pay, you'll be charged a fee and your Afterpay account will be frozen.
6. Student Flights
Catering to students and the under-26 crowd, Student Flights can lay-by your flights because it knows that money can be a bit tight, but travel is always a must.
Although offering a lay-by option, Student Flights does limit the airlines to just a few and doesn't offer the service on domestic flights. You'll also need to be a full-time student or younger than 26 to take advantage.
- Airlines you can book with: Etihad, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Malaysian Airlines and Qatar.
- Deposit: $100
- Book-now pay-later policy: Available on Black Market flights, with final payment due 60 days before departure or your flight will be cancelled.
7. Qantas
This airline understands that planning a holiday can take time, so it gives you more than enough to pay for your flight with the carrier.
When it comes to book-now pay-later options, Qantas has some of the best. This option is available on select flights from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. These flights include domestic Flex, Business and Jetstar Max flights and select inter
- Airlines you can book with: Qantas.
- Deposit: $25
- Book-now pay-later policy: Available on select flights. Not available on Saver fares, Red e Deal fares, round-the-world tickets, flights purchased with points and Jetstar and Qantas combined trips. When insurance or carbon offset are chosen you must add these extras after full payment has been made. A holding deposit applies for book-now pay-later bookings. 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.
8. Tigerair
Secure those cheap-as-chips flights with a "fare freeze" that is literally the cost of a packet of chips.
Tempting Tigerair fares can often be met with impulse purchases that are left unfulfilled. Tigerair's fare freeze lets you lock-in a flight price for up to 48-hours to give you the time to confirm your travels with friends.
- Airlines you can book with: Tigerair
- Fee: $0
- Tigerair's zippay policy: As long as your purchase is below $1,000, you can pay your tickets back in $40/month interest-free instalments. There's no time limit on how long you take to pay it back, but a $6 monthly account fee applies.
9. South African Airways
Take off for your bucket-list safari and take a few days to come up with the funds.
Sometimes you want to lock in the price before you can secure the funds. Luckily, South African Airways lets you lock in a fare and take up to three days to pay for it. It may not sound like much, but can be just enough time if you're waiting for a transfer from another account.
- Airlines you can book with: South African Airways
- Fee: None
- Fare freeze policy: Available on select bookings only. Confirm your booking online and select "Pay later" on the payment page and take up to three days to go into your flight reservation in the "Manage My Booking" section to pay it off.
Go to South African Airways website
10. AirAsia
The award-winning low-cost carrier now offers Zip to get you between Australia and more than 140 destinations across Asia.
Finance your next budget holiday to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and more with either Zip Pay or Zip Money.
- Airlines you can book with: AirAsia
- Fee: $6 fee for each month you have an outstanding balance
- Zip policy: Bookings $1,000 or less are to be financed through Zip Pay, and are to be paid back in interest-free instalments of at least $40 per month. If your booking is more than $1,000 up to $5,000), payments will go via Zip Money, and are interest-free for six months. An establishment fee of up to $99 applies and monthly payments are at least $40/month or 3% (whichever is greater).
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11. STA Travel
The student life is hard, but STA Travel makes it easier by letting youths and teachers layby flights.
Even if you don't fit the bill STA is targeting, you can still buy flights for a good price. If you're not ready to pay for your adventure upfront, STA's layby program gives you the chance to delay most of the payment until eight weeks before you fly off.
- Airlines you can book with: Qantas, Scoot, Etihad, Thai Airways, Royal Brunei and Emirates.
- Fee: $99 deposit. This is a non-refundable deposit which includes a $10 service fee.
- Layby policy: Final payment is due 10 weeks before departure or your flight is cancelled and is only available on STA Exclusive tickets, including select multi-stop and round-the-world routes. Some flights may require you to be under 30 or a teacher.
What are the book now pay later terms with these sites?
| Company | Required deposit or fee | Interest-free/Cancellation period | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Centre | $99 annual fee | 6-9 months | Available for holiday purchases of $999 or more. Credit approval required. |
| Virgin Australia | $15 fee to hold for two days | 2 days | Available on domestic flights booked at least 14 days in advance. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | $6-$11 fee depending on route | 3-7 days | Fee holds the fare for 3-7 days before payment is required. |
| Qatar | Varies | 3 days | Must be booked at least four days prior to departure with 72 from the time of booking to pay. |
| Jetstar | $10 fee for Afterpay | 8 weeks | Limited to domestic flight bookings between $200-$1,000. |
| Student Flights | $100 deposit | 60 days | Available on Black Market flights only booked at least 60 days in advance. |
| Qantas | $25 deposit | Varies by flight | Available on select flights. Payment due date varies and is noted when making the booking. |
| Tigerair | $0 | None, but $6 monthly fee applies | Must pay zippay instalments of at least $40 per month plus a $6 account fee. |
| South African Airways | $0 | None | Available on select bookings only. |
| AirAsia | $0-$99 | 6 months | Must pay instalments of at least $40 per month plus a $6 account fee. Establishment fee may apply. |
| STA Travel | $99 | Up to 10 weeks before departure. | Must have flight paid in full no less than 10 weeks prior to departure. |
Can you pay for flights in instalments?
Yes, but this depends on the terms (outlines above) for each company. Some, like Afterpay, are paid off in four instalments, where others are paid monthly until departure.
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