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Deposit Travel vs Paying Upfront
Where from?
Where to?
Dates
Passengers & Class
1 Adult, Economy/Coach
Why compare deposit travel with paying upfront?
Deposit travel and paying upfront with debit have a lot of similarities. Both are debt-free solutions, meaning you won't have to worry about negative credit or trouble with debt collectors (unless you pay upfront with a credit card).
With both options, you'll have paid for your flights in full before departure. This differentiates them from the third key payment method at Alternative Airlines, Buy Now Pay Later, where payments can be made weeks, months, or even years after departure.
Despite the similarities between deposit and upfront payments, there are still some crucial differences. We'll go through them further on this page so that you can select the ideal payment method for you.
What is deposit travel?
Deposit travel is when you pay a small sum of your flight total when you book and then the rest over time. This secures the ticket as your own, even before all payments have been made.
This system can go by other names, such as layaway or lay-by, but it means the same thing.
Alternative Airlines' sole layaway is Slice Pay.
Slice Pay lets you put down a 10% deposit on your flights. You can then pay the rest of your flights in up to 26 weekly instalments.
Slice Pay conducts zero credit checks, which means you can book now and pay later, with good or bad credit. In fact, Slice Pay doesn't involve credit at all. Even if you fail to make a payment on time, your credit score won't be affected. This means forgotten or late payments won't negatively impact your financial future.
While late payments are accepted at Slice Pay, if you fail to have finished paying for your flights before the agreed end date, which is around 7 days before departure, then your flights will be cancelled.
Slice Pay is a great way to help save up for your vacation, as no large sum of money is leaving your account at one time. While ensuring there are no lingering costs hanging over you during your trip.
Slice Pay is available in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
What is paying upfront?
This is the traditional way of paying for flights. When paying upfront, you're giving the entire ticket total at checkout.
Technically, this can be done via a credit or debit card. However, this page focuses on debit. When you pay with a debit card or an e-wallet connected to your debit card, that money is entirely yours and comes from your bank account. As the money belonged to you, there's no debt to be paid.
Paying upfront means that you don't have to worry about repayments. You won't have to factor money leaving your account each month as you repay your tickets. It also means you don't have to worry about forgetting an instalment, leading to cancellation or interest (in the case of a Buy Now Pay Later).
Paying everything upfront can make planning your budget a lot easier. As the money's already gone, you know exactly where your finances stand. Plan your holiday, knowing that one of the largest expenses has already been made.
At Alternative Airlines, we offer 40+ ways to pay, including several e-wallet options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Select from 160+ currencies, from widespread to local ones, and pay your way.
Deposit travel vs paying upfront: key differences
| Benefit | Deposit - Slice Pay | Upfront with debit |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Available to customers in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. | Available globally. |
| Book now and pay later? | Yes. You can book your flights now and continue paying for them over up to 26 weeks. Payments must be finished before departure. | No. You'll pay the entirety of your ticket cost at checkout. |
| Credit impact | Zero credit impact. If you fail to finish your payments, your credit won't change, but your flights will be cancelled. | Zero. When you pay upfront with debit, the money is from your bank account and won't need to be repaid. |
| Purchase size | Ideal for bigger bookings like long-haul flights and group travel. | Ideal for small bookings and flights that aren't too expensive. |
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Deposit travel vs paying upfront FAQs
Can I pay with a deposit at Alternative Airlines?
Yes. At Alternative Airlines, you can book flights with a deposit by selecting Slice Pay at checkout. You'll see Slice Pay as an option at checkout if you live in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Who are Slice Pay?
Slice Pay is a travel-specific layaway that you can select when booking flights through Alternative Airlines. With Slice Pay you'll put a 10% deposit on your flights securing them as your own. You can then pay the rest of the ticket sum in up to 26 weekly instalments. Payments must have finished before departure. Otherwise, tickets will be cancelled.
Are there any fees for using Slice Pay?
You will have to put a 10% deposit on your flights to secure them as your own. You'll then pay for the rest of your tickets in up to 26 weeks. There are no additional charges or interest applied to your tickets, including for late payments.
Is it better to pay with a deposit or upfront?
This is up to you. Check out our table above to compare the differences between deposit and upfront travel so that you can select the best option for you.
Can I book flights even with bad credit?
Yes. You can travel regardless of your credit score by paying with a debit card upfront or through a deposit. Neither option is related to credit. Therefore, your credit score is irrelevant and not involved in the booking process.