Skip to flight searchSkip to main content

How to fly debt-free?

Writing down finances

What does it mean to fly debt-free?

Being in debt means you're legally obligated to pay back a specific person or organisation. If you have too much debt or you're in debt for an extended period of time, this can lead to a negative credit score. If you have negative credit, you run the risk of losing certain privileges, such as loaning money in the future, getting car insurance or being allowed a mortgage.

At Alternative Airlines, you can fly debt-free by:

  • Paying upfront with debit
  • Putting down a deposit
  • Bonus Option: Paying for your flight instalments on time with a Buy Now Pay Later
ATM

Pay upfront with debit

The simplest means of debt-free travel is paying everything upfront with a debit card. This is the traditional way of paying for flights.

It means that all the money spent on your flights is from your bank account. As you're not borrowing the money from anyone, you don't have to worry about paying it back.

By paying for everything upfront, there's no risk of lingering costs or trouble with the debt collectors.

With the money already out of your account, you can better plan your budget for your holiday.

At Alternative Airlines, there are 40+ ways to pay, including several e-wallet options. Connect your debit card with one of the accepted e-wallets available at Alternative Airlines, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and more.


Why pay upfront with debit?

  • Completely debt-free
  • The traditional way of playing for flights
  • Know your budget better
A woman sitting on some steps looking at her phone and holding a hot drink

Put down a deposit

At Alternative Airlines, to avoid incurring debt, another option is to pay with a deposit through Slice Pay.

Slice Pay lets you put down a 10% deposit of your ticket total on your chosen flight, securing it as your own. After that, pay back the rest of your tickets in up to 26 weekly instalments.

Slice Pay is an entirely debt-free solution. Even if you miss a payment, you won't have to worry about interest or bad credit. In fact, Slice Pay conducts zero credit checks! No matter how good or bad your credit is, you can pay over time with Slice Pay.

Late payments will only matter if you fail to have finished making payments by the agreed end date, which will be a little before departure. If this occurs, rather than accumulating any debt, your flight will be cancelled. This means no negative impacts on your financial future at the cost of missing out on your flight.


Slice Pay is available to Alternative Airlines customers living in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.


Why put down a deposit?

  • Debt-free
  • Pay over time
  • No lingering costs after your flight
BNPL

Pay for your flight instalments on time

At Alternative Airlines, you can select from 20+ Buy Now Pay Later lenders. These let you pay for your flights over time in set instalments. Technically, this means that you'll be in debt while making the repayments, as you've borrowed the money for your flights. However, once payments have been made in full, as long as they were made on time, there will be no lingering debt to impact your credit score.

Depending on the Buy Now Pay Later, additional interest rates may apply if you fail to make the agreed payments, and eventually, debt collectors may be informed. To avoid financial and legal trouble, make sure that you're paying back your flights on time. Once payments have all been made, there will be no debt.

These are some of the Buy Now Pay Later options available at Alternative Airlines that offer long-term payment plans:

  1. ContactNow - Pay over 6 to 60 months
  2. Affirm - Pay over 3 to 18 months
  3. Grab - Pay over 8 to 12 months
  4. PayPal Credit - Pay over 6 to 24 months


Why use a Buy Now Pay Later?

  • Fly now and pay later
  • Short or long-term payment plans
  • Less money leaving your account at one time

Which is the best debt-free flight option for me?

What's included?Pay Upfront with a Debit CardDeposit - Slice PayBuy Now Pay Later
Are they debt-free?Yes. If you pay everything upfront without a credit card, you aren't borrowing any money, meaning no debt.Always. Slice Pay is entirely debt-free.You'll technically be in debt while paying back your tickets. Once payments are all made in full, there will be no debt.
Do they conduct credit checks?No. Debit cards aren't linked to your credit.Never. Slice Pay conducts zero credit checks.This depends on the Buy Now Pay Later. Some won't, others conduct soft credit checks, and others may require a hard credit check.
Can I fly now and pay later?No. You'll be paying for your flights entirely at checkout.No. You can book now, pay later, but not fly now, pay later. All payments must be made in full before flight departure.Yes. Depending on your chosen instalment plan, you may still be paying back your flights after departure.
Will they impact my credit score?No. Debit cards aren't linked to your credit as it's entirely your own money.Never. Slice Pay has zero impact on your credit score. The penalty for not paying for your flights means they'll be cancelled.Yes. If you fail to pay for your flights by the agreed dates, your credit score may be lowered.

How to fly debt-free at Alternative Airlines

Search for flights from New York to Bali

Search for flights

Scroll to the Alternative Airlines search bar at the top of the page. Then, type your planned destination and travel dates.

How to fly debt-free at Alternative Airlines

Step 2 - Select last-minute flight that you want to book

Pick your flights

You'll see all the available flights for your selected dates and destinations. On the left of the page, you can personalise your flight search further by filtering specific airlines or travel times.

How to fly debt-free at Alternative Airlines

Select way to pay

Option 1 - Pay with a debit or deposit

At checkout, you'll see all the options available. To guarantee debt-free flights, pay with your debit card, an e-wallet connected to your debit card or with a deposit by choosing Slice Pay.

Right away, you'll receive your tickets to your email-inbox. Then you're all done!

If you selected Slice Pay, make sure all your fees are made before the agreed final payment date!

Enjoy your vacation without the worry of lingering costs! 😎

How to fly debt-free at Alternative Airlines

Select a Buy Now Pay Later option at checkout

Option 2 - Select a Buy Now Pay Later

If you'd rather, you can choose a Buy Now Pay Later. The Buy Now Pay Later options available to you will depend on your country of residence.

Once you've selected your Buy Now, Pay Later and instalment plan, you're all set.

As you've borrowed money, you'll be in debt while paying it off. However, once all payments are made, you'll be debt-free! Just make sure that you're making those payments on time!

With a small sum of money leaving your bank account each month, you can spend more while on vacation! 😎

1
2
3
4

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

Fly debt-free today!

Select from 600+ airlines and fly debt-free with Alternative Airlines.

How to fly debt-free frequently asked questions

What does it mean to fly debt-free?

Flying debt-free means the money you used to purchase your flights won't impact your credit score or involve debt collectors.

For this to happen, you'll have to pay for your flights upfront with a debit card or pay with a deposit through Slice Pay.

While Buy Now Pay Later is a form of debt, your debt will be cleared as long as payments are made on time.

How to avoid bad credit when paying for flights?

To avoid bad credit, you must ensure any money you've loaned is paid back on time.

When you select a Buy Now Pay Later at Alternative Airlines, you'll be informed about the instalment plan and the penalties of failing to pay on schedule.

Another option is to pay upfront with a debit card or to pay with a deposit through Slice Pay, as neither option counts as a form of credit.

Can I book now and pay later with no credit checks?

Yes. You can book now and pay over up to 26 weeks with Slice Pay. Slice Pay involves zero credit checks and is entirely debt-free.

Certain Buy Now Pay Later options involve no credit checks. This will be made clear to you at checkout.

Can I fly with bad credit?

Yes. If you aren't borrowing money, so you're paying upfront with your debit card, your credit won't matter.

You can pay later even with bad credit if you use Slice Pay, as Slice Pay conducts zero credit checks.

Some Buy Now Pay Later lenders won't check your credit either, although many will run soft credit checks, which may mean you're denied a loan.

Is it better to pay for my flights upfront or with a deposit?

This depends on what you're looking for. Check out our guide comparing upfront and deposit travel to discover the key differences.