Comparing your credit card financing options
Not sure which method suits you? Here's how they stack up:
Finance Flights with a Credit Card
Where from?
Where to?
Dates
Passengers & Class
Can I finance my flights with a credit card?
Yes, at Alternative Airlines you can finance flights using your existing credit card with options like Splitit, a card-linked instalment plan.
Splitit lets you spread the cost of your tickets over 3-6 months with no interest, no credit checks, and you still earn your usual card rewards!
Booking flights shouldn't mean draining your bank account in one go. Whether you're eyeing a last-minute deal or planning that big family trip, financing your flight lets you spread the cost and keep your budget breathing.
The good news? Your existing credit card can do more than you think. From card-linked instalments to flexible payment plans, there are genuine ways to book now and pay over time without taking out a loan or facing sky-high interest rates.
Why finance flights?
Flights are a big purchase, and the price doesn't always match when you need to travel versus when you can afford to pay.
Here's when financing makes sense:
- Life doesn't wait for payday. Family emergencies, weddings abroad or time-sensitive work trips can't always be planned around your budget.
- Grab the deal before it's gone. Flight prices change constantly. Locking in a great fare now and paying later can save you hundreds.
- Keep your cash free. Why empty your savings when you can spread payments and keep money aside for hotels, activities or unexpected costs?
- Big trips need breathing room. Long-haul flights to Australia or multi-stop adventures across Europe? Breaking that cost into chunks makes it manageable.
The key is choosing the right method. Not all financing options are equal, and some come with hidden costs that undo the benefits.
How to finance flights with your credit card
Card-linked instalments with Splitit ✨
This is where things get clever. Splitit lets you book flights now and spread the cost over 3, 4 or 6 months using the credit card you already have. No interest. No credit checks. No new loan applications.
When you book with Splitit at checkout, a temporary hold is placed on your credit limit (not your bank balance). Each month, one instalment is charged to your card and the hold reduces accordingly. You're using your own credit, just in a smarter way.
Where it works 🌍
Currently available for travellers in the UK and US. More regions available soon.
The best bit? You still earn your usual credit card rewards like cashback, air miles or loyalty points. It's like getting a bonus for paying the way that suits you.
To start using Splitit, search for your flight on Alternative Airlines, pick Splitit at checkout and confirm your payment plan.
To qualify for Splitit, you must:
Be 18 or over
Be a resident of the US or the UK
Have a valid credit card
Why Splitit helps you avoid credit card interest
Let's get into the details, because this is where Splitit really shines.
When you use a standard credit card to book a flight and carry a balance, you're charged interest on what you owe. That interest compounds monthly. A £1,000 flight could end up costing £1,200 or more if you take months to pay it off.
Splitit sidesteps this entirely. It uses your existing credit limit but doesn't trigger interest charges because you're not carrying a traditional revolving balance. Instead, the full flight cost is "held" on your card (like when a hotel pre-authorises your card for incidentals). Each month, one instalment is charged and the hold amount decreases.
Do I earn rewards on financed flights?
Yes, absolutely!
Because you're using your existing credit card, you'll earn whatever rewards, cashback, air miles or loyalty points your card normally provides.
This is a major advantage over some other financing options. Many Buy Now Pay Later services don't earn you credit card rewards because they act as the payment method themselves rather than using your card directly.
If rewards matter to you, Splitit (or paying with your credit card directly) is the way to go.
Understanding how the credit hold works
What happens to my credit limit? 🤔
When you book with Splitit, the full flight amount is temporarily held on your available credit. This means your available credit decreases by that amount.
Example: If your credit limit is £5,000 and you book a £1,200 flight with Splitit over 6 months, your available credit drops to £3,800 until the payments are complete.
Each month, as one instalment is charged, the hold reduces. After your first £200 payment, the hold drops to £1,000 and your available credit increases to £4,000. By the final payment, there's no hold left and your full credit limit is restored.
Is the full amount held upfront? 🤔
Yes, but it's not charged. Think of it like a hotel holding funds on your card when you check in. The money isn't gone from your account; it's just reserved.
The hold ensures you have the credit available to complete all instalments. It protects both you and us, making sure the booking is secure without you needing to hand over the full amount immediately.
How is the hold released? 🤔
Automatically, as you make each payment. The hold decreases with every instalment until it's fully released after your final payment.
You don't need to do anything. It happens in the background, freeing up your credit line as you go.
Can I book international flights with credit card finance?
Absolutely. Credit card financing works for domestic and international flights alike. In fact, it's especially useful for high-cost destinations where ticket prices run into the thousands.
Whether you're booking to New York, Tokyo, Sydney or Johannesburg, you can use Splitit or your credit card to spread the cost.
Just make sure you understand any foreign transaction fees your card might charge (though many travel-focused cards waive these).
What happens if you're not approved?
Firstly, don't panic. Rejection doesn't mean you can't fly.
- With Splitit: If your card is declined, it's usually because you don't have enough available credit. You can try a different card, reduce your instalment period to lower the hold amount, or increase your deposit percentage.
- With Buy Now Pay Later: If you're not approved, it might be due to affordability concerns, past payment issues, or simply not meeting the provider's criteria. You can try a different Buy Now Pay Later option (each has its own criteria) or use a credit card instead.
Being declined for financing doesn't affect your ability to book the flight outright if you have the funds available.
Tips to speed up approval
- Keep your credit available. Before booking, check your credit card balance. If you're close to your limit, pay some off to free up space.
- Have your details ready. For Buy Now Pay Later services, having your information handy speeds things up. Double-check your address matches what's on file with your bank.
- Use a card you know works. Stick with cards you've successfully used before. Trying a brand-new card at checkout can sometimes cause delays if there are security flags.
- Book during normal hours. While most approvals are instant, technical issues are more likely to be resolved quickly if you're booking during business hours and support teams are available.
| Payment Method | Interest | Credit Check | Rewards Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splitit | None | No | Yes |
| Credit card (pay in full) | None | No (if card already owned) | Yes |
| Credit card (carry balance) | Yes (typically 15–25% APR) | No (if card already owned) | Yes |
| PayPal Credit / Amex Plan It | Varies (0% promotions available) | Sometimes | Yes |
| Affirm / Klarna / Afterpay | Varies (0–30% APR) | Soft check typically | No |
| Airline payment plans | Varies by airline | Sometimes | Depends on airline |
Ready to finance your flights with your credit card?
Lock in your flights today and spread the cost using the credit card you already have. No interest, no credit checks - just a smarter way to pay. Search flights, choose Splitit at checkout, and pay later.
FAQs
When will I receive my e-ticket and booking confirmation?
With Splitit and credit card financing through Alternative Airlines, you receive your booking confirmation immediately after checkout. Your e-ticket arrives via email within minutes, usually before you've even closed your browser. Your seat is reserved and the price is locked in from the moment your deposit payment goes through.
When you're using Splitit, you're not on a layaway plan. You're a confirmed passenger from day one. Your ticket reference, booking number and flight details are all sent straight away, so you can add the flight to your calendar, check in online when the time comes, and travel with complete confidence.
Can I book flights for other people using my financing?
Yes, absolutely. You can finance flights for family, friends or anyone else using your credit card or Splitit account. The person paying doesn't have to be the person flying. This is perfect for parents booking for their kids, organising group trips, or gifting travel to someone special.
When you book, simply enter the traveller's details (name, date of birth, passport information) as you normally would. The payment and financing arrangement stays in your name and on your card. You'll receive the booking confirmation, but you can forward the e-ticket details to whoever is travelling.
A few things to remember:
- The card and financing must be in your name
- You're responsible for all instalments, even if plans change
- Airlines require accurate passenger details, so double-check spellings match passports exactly
This is one of the most common ways people use flight financing, and it works seamlessly.
What if I need to change or cancel my financed flight?
Flight changes and cancellations work the same way whether you've financed your ticket or paid in full. Your financing method doesn't restrict your options. The airline's ticket conditions apply, not the payment method.
If you need to change your flight:
- Contact us or log into Manage My Booking to request changes
- Pay any change fees or fare differences the airline charges
- Your original financing plan continues for the initial booking amount
- Any additional costs (like fare differences) are charged separately
If you need to cancel:
- Standard airline refund policies apply based on your ticket type
- Refundable tickets: Full or partial refund goes back to your card, and the hold is released with Splitit
- Non-refundable tickets: You may receive airline credit or partial refund depending on the fare rules
- Any instalments already charged are refunded according to what the airline returns
With Splitit, if you're refunded, the hold on your card is released and you only pay for what you actually used. Our Cancellation Protection product can help you get a full refund if you need to cancel for emergency reasons.
What happens if I fall behind on payments or need an extension?
Life happens. If you're struggling with payments, here's what you need to know and what you can do.
If you miss a payment with Splitit:
- Your card issuer charges a late payment fee (typically £12-£35)
- The missed payment may be reported to credit agencies after 30 days
- Your card provider might reduce your credit limit or increase interest rates on other balances
- The hold remains on your card until payments are complete
If you need help:
- Contact your credit card provider immediately to discuss options
- Many issuers offer temporary payment arrangements or hardship programmes
- Some may allow you to defer a payment or adjust your due date
- Being proactive is always better than missing payments silently
Prevention tips:
- Set up autopay through your credit card account to never miss a payment
- Enable payment reminders via your card provider's app (usually 3-5 days before due date)
- Keep a buffer in your account to cover instalments
- If you know money will be tight, consider a shorter instalment plan or larger deposit upfront
Our Customer Service team can help with questions about your booking, but payment arrangements need to be made directly with your card issuer since they're the ones processing the instalments.
Will financing a flight hurt my credit score?
It depends on which method you use and how you manage the payments. Let's break it down clearly.
With Splitit:
- No credit check when you apply, so no impact from signing up
- The hold on your credit limit reduces your available credit temporarily
- This affects your credit utilisation ratio (percentage of credit you're using)
- High utilisation can slightly lower your score while the hold is active
- Making on-time payments helps maintain or improve your score
- Missing payments damages your credit like any other missed card payment
With Buy Now Pay Later services:
- Soft credit check during application (doesn't hurt your score)
- Payment history may or may not be reported to credit agencies (varies by provider)
- Missing payments will likely be reported and damage your score
- Multiple applications in a short period could have a minor impact
Pay on time, every time, and financing won't hurt your credit. In fact, it might help by showing consistent repayment behaviour. The biggest risk is overextending yourself and missing payments.
Make it work for you
Financing flights means spending smarter and on your terms.
Whether you're using Splitit to avoid interest altogether, leveraging credit card rewards, or tapping into a promotional 0% offer, the key is knowing what you're signing up for. Read the terms. Understand the fees (or lack of them). Pay on time.
Flight booking shouldn't drain your account or leave you feeling frustrated. With the right approach, you can secure your seat, protect your budget and still have cash left for the trip itself!
Ready to book? Search flights now, pick Splitit at checkout and spread the cost in a way that works for you.
Written and reviewed by Alternative Airlines
Last updated: 30 October 2025