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Pay later on reunion flights

Flexible ways to fly home and reconnect without the upfront cost

A man with a large backpack on looking down at a phone, with a flight confirmation for Siem Reap to Sydney with Qantas

Reuniting families without the financial burden

Flying across the ditch to attend a wedding or heading home after a long year of backpacking in Asia?


Flights to and from Australia and New Zealand aren’t always cheap - especially when reunions or long-awaited holidays are overdue.


Upfront flight costs can quickly add up, making it harder to celebrate milestones, attend birthdays, or enjoy time together.


At Alternative Airlines, we make it easier to stay connected 💜

With our pay later options, you can book flights now and spread the cost over weekly or monthly instalments.


That means you can focus on what truly matters without worrying about covering the full ticket price upfront.

A man with grey hair lifting up a baby while smiling

How do pay later flights work?

Booking a flight with one of our trusted pay later partners is simple and stress-free. You reserve your seat today and pay the rest over time, splitting the total into smaller, manageable instalments instead of covering the full cost upfront.


At checkout, just pick your preferred pay later option, set up an account if needed, and confirm your booking.


Buy Now, Pay Later options available to residents of Australia and New Zealand ✨

  • Afterpay - Split your flight cost into 4 interest-free fortnightly payments.
  • Zip - Choose to pay later with flexible weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments.
  • Klarna - Pay in 4 interest-free instalments or extend with financing options.
A woman sitting on some steps looking at her phone and holding a hot drink

Secure your flight home with a deposit

Not ready to pay the full fare upfront? Slice Pay lets you lock in your seat with a small deposit and pay the rest over time.


Slice Pay works more like a lay-by/layaway: you pay a small deposit to secure your seat, then pay every week until your departure. It's different to a BNPL because you settle the full balance at least 7 days before you fly.

It’s perfect for travellers who may not qualify for traditional BNPL plans, and also ideal for families or large groups who want to spread the cost and have it fully settled before flying.


Residents of Australia and New Zealand can reserve flights today with a deposit starting from 10%, and pay the rest in manageable instalments.

A child running towards a woman with both arms outstretched

Benefits of pay later flights for family travel

Family reunions often come with tight timelines or peak travel periods when prices soar. For Australians and Kiwis, this can put extra pressure on budgets.


Pay later flights make it easier by:

  • Avoiding large upfront costs - Grab a seat on your flight now and spread the payments over time.
  • Making last-minute travel possible - Don’t miss weddings, birthdays, or urgent family events.
  • Keeping trips affordable - Even when fares are higher during school holidays or Christmas.


With pay later options, booking a flight to see family isn’t just easier - it’s smarter. You get to focus on what really matters: spending time with family and whānau.

We help thousands of people get home for special moments

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified by Trustpilot

"This is my first time ever using the website, and I am completely grateful that I stumbled upon it. I was able to reunite my children with their father after not seeing him for a few years, so I meant a lot to us.

It gave me the opportunity to not only utilize the little money that I do have, but make sure that I was able to bring my family together."

We help thousands of people get home for special moments

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified by Trustpilot

"It made my experience excellent because this option with Alternative Airlines provides a way for people to connect with their loved ones and make payments on airfare.

Making it affordable to fly when a person may not be able to pay all at once for a airline ticket. So thankful for this option."

We help thousands of people get home for special moments

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified by Trustpilot

"Alternative Airlines gave me the opportunity to be able to book a trip to see my family last minute for the summer, after not seeing them for almost two years.

Thank you so much! Best service ever."

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Top airlines for flights home

At Alternative Airlines, we ticket over 600 airlines worldwide, so you can always find the perfect way home. Here are some of the favourites Aussies and Kiwis choose when booking with pay later:


Qantas

Australia’s flagship airline connects major domestic routes, as well as long-haul flights to London, Los Angeles, and Singapore. Perfect for family reunions close to home or across the globe.


Air New Zealand

A favourite for trans-Tasman travel, with plenty of direct flights between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and major Australian cities. Also offers long-haul services to the US and Asia, keeping Kiwi families connected worldwide.


Virgin Australia

Known for competitive pricing on domestic flights and popular routes across the ditch, Virgin makes quick family visits more affordable.

Jetstar plane taking off

Jetstar

Budget-friendly and ideal for short-haul trips across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. A great option for students or anyone planning a quick reunion without breaking the bank.


Singapore Airlines

A major international carrier that links Australia and New Zealand with Asia and Europe. Often chosen for long-haul family visits, especially to London, India, or Southeast Asia.


Emirates

Popular with families travelling to Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. With connections from Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland through Dubai, it’s a go-to for longer-distance reunions.


With so many options, you can pick the airline that suits your trip best. And with pay later, you can book the seat now, and spread the cost over time.

A young girl smiling and hugging an older woman with trees in the background

Popular destinations for family reunions

Australians and New Zealanders travel far and wide to reconnect with family and friends. With pay later, you can secure these flights now and spread the cost, making reunions easier to plan.


Across the ditch

The short flights between Australia and New Zealand are some of the most popular for reunions. Families regularly travel between:

  • Sydney to Auckland - one of the busiest trans-Tasman routes.
  • Melbourne to Wellington - perfect for quick family visits.
  • Brisbane to Christchurch - popular during school holidays and Christmas.


Domestic catch-ups

Reunions don’t always mean heading overseas. Many families spread out across different states or islands:

  • Sydney to Melbourne - one of the busiest routes in the world, often for weekend family catch-ups.
  • Auckland to Wellington - essential for whānau living across the North Island.
  • Brisbane to Cairns - popular for family get-togethers in Queensland.
A woman bending down to hug a young child in the middle of a pavement

Long-haul reunions

For Aussies and Kiwis with family abroad, international flights can be costly. Pay later helps by breaking down big-ticket fares:

  • Sydney to London - connecting families across generations in the UK.
  • Auckland to Los Angeles - a key route for reunions with relatives in the US.
  • Melbourne to Singapore - a major stopover hub for onward family travel to Europe and Asia.


Community & heritage travel

Many Australians and New Zealanders use pay later flights to reconnect with cultural roots and extended family:

  • Sydney to Manila - widely flown by Australia’s Filipino community.
  • Auckland to Apia - vital for Samoan communities in New Zealand.
  • Sydney to Delhi - for families with connections to India.
  • Auckland to Shanghai - popular for Chinese-Kiwi families visiting relatives.

Fly home or reunite with loved ones
without the stress of upfront costs

A father, daughter and mother laughing while the mother is using a laptop

How pay later makes family reunions possible

🎂 Last-minute birthday surprise

Emma books a flight to Auckland for her sister’s 30th using Afterpay, spreading the cost over weekly instalments so she can celebrate without stress.


👪 Family holiday over school break

The Lee family locks in five Singapore tickets with Slice Pay, paying gradually while keeping the trip affordable.


🚨 Emergency overseas visit

James secures a flight to Los Angeles with Zip pay later, travelling immediately without worrying about the full upfront cost.


💐 Long-awaited whānau reunion

Mia books her seat to Apia using Klarna, turning years of waiting into a real reunion, paid off in manageable instalments.

Luxury chair in airport lounge

Add extras to make your trip home smoother

Flying home isn’t just about the ticket: the little extras can make the journey more comfortable and stress-free. With Alternative Airlines, you can add them at checkout and include the cost in your pay later plan, so everything is sorted upfront.


Add-ons available with pay later

A woman smiling. $64 paid today with Afterpay.

Ready to book your flight home?

Pay later has changed how Australians and New Zealanders reconnect with family. No more waiting for payday or putting big flight costs on a credit card.


At Alternative Airlines, we make it simple. Search and book flights from over 600 airlines, choose from 40+ ways to pay - including Afterpay, Zip, and Klarna - and pick the option that works best for you.


Life moves fast, but family moments shouldn’t have to wait. With our flexible pay later options, you can lock in your flights today and spread the cost over time.


And if you ever need a hand, our friendly customer service team is here to support you - from booking through to boarding.


Start your search today and see how easy it is to make that long-awaited reunion a reality, one payment at a time.

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Frequently asked questions

How does pay later for flights work?

When you book a flight with Alternative Airlines, you can choose a pay over time option at checkout. This lets you secure your ticket today and spread the cost into weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments, depending on the provider.

Which pay later options are available in Australia and New Zealand?

We work with trusted providers including Afterpay, Zip, Klarna, and Slice Pay. Availability depends on your country of residence, but you’ll see all eligible options when you check out.

Who can use Slice Pay?

Slice Pay is ideal for travellers who may not qualify for standard BNPL options, and for families or large groups who want to lock in flights and have them fully paid before travelling.

You must be 18 or older, be a resident of Australia or New Zealand, have a valid debit or credit card, and be able to pay the deposit upfront.

Can I use pay later for both domestic and international flights?

Yes. Both BNPL and Slice Pay can be used for flights within Australia, across the ditch to New Zealand, and long-haul international trips - perfect for reunions near and far.

Do I pay interest with BNPL or Slice Pay?

Most BNPL providers offer interest-free instalments if you pay on time.

Slice Pay has no hidden fees and no interest - the only fee you'll pay is a small Hold Price Fee to secure today's fare.

Some BNPL providers offer longer-term financing options, which may include interest - you’ll see the details before confirming.

Can I add extras like baggage or seat selection and still pay later?

Yes. Extras such as seat selection, additional baggage, insurance, or airport lounge access can be included in your instalment plan.

What happens if my travel plans change?

Your flight will follow the airline’s change and cancellation policies, while your instalments remain with your chosen pay later provider. Our friendly customer service team can guide you through the process if you need help.

Can I use pay later for last-minute trips?

Absolutely. Pay later options let you book flights quickly without worrying about the full upfront cost, making last-minute trips to weddings, birthdays, or emergencies possible.

Is using pay later safe?

Yes. We only work with trusted, regulated providers, and all payments are handled securely. You’ll always know exactly what you owe and when.