Author: Arthur Hinton (Marketing Lead at Slice Pay)
Slice Pay vs Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
Why Lay‑By Flights might be the solution for Travellers Worldwide
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Lay-by vs Buy Now Pay Later
Paying for flights can be stressful. Rising upfront costs for airfares has made it harder than ever for people around the world to buy flight tickets through traditional means. That's where lay-by flights and buy now pay later come in. These payment methods have reduced the burden of rising upfront costs and have risen in popularity in the last decade. But what's the difference?
In this article, we look at how Slice Pay compares to Buy Now, Pay Later - each has its strengths depending on your plans and how you prefer to pay.
International tourism bounced back to 99 % of pre‑pandemic levels in 2024, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation. Meanwhile, airfares have kept climbing: IATA’s latest fare‑tracking dashboard shows ticket prices rising sharply through 2024, and the trade body expects further increases as airlines grapple with jet‑fuel costs and sustainable‑aviation‑fuel mandates.
Millions of travellers use Buy Now, Pay Later services like Afterpay, Klarna and Affirm to make booking flights more manageable. But if you’d rather pay a deposit now and the rest later, Slice Pay might be a better fit.
What Is Slice Pay?
Lay‑by/lay away: means you lock in today’s fare with a small deposit, pay the balance in instalments before you fly, and return home debt‑free.
- Travel‑only lay‑by/lay away. Available worldwide through partners like Alternative Airlines, Slice Pay lets you lock seats on 600 + carriers with as little as a 10 % deposit.
- Weekly or bi‑weekly instalments before you fly. Repay over time so your balance hits zero at least seven days ahead of departure.
- Zero late fees, zero credit checks. Payments behave like a digital savings piggy bank rather than credit.
- Peace‑of‑mind ticketing. Flights are ticketed once fully paid, protecting both you and the airline.
How Generic BNPL for Travel Works
Fly Now, Pay Later providers let you book your trip upfront, then spread the cost over time - often after you’ve flown. Typical features of a fly now pay later product include:
- Long & short term payment plans - From weekly “pay in 4” to monthly options over 3, 6, 12 or even 18 months. Depending on the provider, you can often start repaying after you’ve flown. All plans are subject to eligibility checks, with APRs from 0-36%.
- Credit checks – Most providers run a soft credit check to confirm eligibility (this won’t affect your score). Not all applications are accepted, so it’s good to have a backup option ready just in case.
- Late fees – Most providers won’t charge late fees for the odd slip-up, but repeated missed payments might show up on your credit report. If life gets in the way, get in touch with the provider - they’re usually happy to help.
Because these products extend short‑term credit, they now fall under new or proposed consumer‑credit frameworks in the EU, UK and US.
Slice Pay vs BNPL: Key Differences
| Benefit | Slice Pay (Flight Lay‑By) | Generic BNPL |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose‑built | Designed for flights, with a schedule that matches your travel plan | Built for all kinds of shopping, from shoes to seats in the sky |
| Payment timing | Pay in instalments before take-off - travel knowing it’s all sorted | Book now, pay after - perfect if you need more time to pay it off |
| Cost & fees | Small upfront hold price fee. No late fees. No surprises | Late fees may apply if you miss a payment - it’s best to check the fine print |
| Credit impact | No credit checks. It’s like saving up, only your seat’s locked in. | May include credit checks, and late payments could impact your credit |
| Purchase size | Ideal for bigger bookings like long-haul flights and group travel | Great for everyday spending, but limits may vary depending on the provider |
Why Lay‑By Matters for Airfares in 2025
- Lock in today’s fare. Limited aircraft supply and rising SAF costs mean analysts expect ticket prices to keep edging higher. Paying via lay‑by hedges against future hikes in price, allowing you to buy the same flight for less.
- Spread the cost over time. Split your fare into up to 26 weekly payments, so you never face one large upfront bill. Removes the stress of hefty upfront costs with weekly payments that help you manage your budget over time.
- Fly with nothing hanging over you. Pay off your fare before take-off, so when you land, you're free and clear.
Who benefits the most from Lay‑By flights? - a case study
Lay-by flight payments bring travel dreams within reach for exactly those who need a little extra runway. Whether you’re a family looking to lock in a summer getaway months in advance, a group of friends organizing festival season plans, or uni students saving up for summer holidays, Slice Pay’s flexible, interest-free instalments and automated reminders make it easy to secure flights and accommodation without tapping into your core savings.
But don’t just take our word for it—listen to what their customers say:
“I was skeptical at first, but SlicePay has transformed how I book travel. Instead of draining my savings, I could spread out the cost of flights while keeping my financial goals on track. The process was seamless - my travel agent handled everything, and SlicePay’s clear payment schedule and friendly reminders made it stress-free. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to travel responsibly without compromising their savings goals.”
If you want to discover more about why you should consider using a lay-by for your flights, check out our Why buy flights with a deposit blog, which discusses this in even more detail.
Lay-By Flights vs Buy Now Pay Later - Final Thoughts
Lay-by travel lets you break down hefty trip costs into bite-sized, interest-free instalments—so you can lock in today’s prices and avoid scrambling for funds at the last minute. By spreading payments over weeks or months, it encourages responsible budgeting (no more dipping into emergency savings) and makes early-bird fares, more accessible to everyone—whether you’re on a tight student budget or planning a big group getaway. With clear payment schedules, friendly reminders and no hidden fees, lay-by turns travel planning from a financial headache into a straightforward, stress-free experience.
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