Travel Now, Pay Later: No Credit Check Vacation Financing Options Listed

Some travel now, pay later finance options are offered by UpLift and Affirm. They will require a “soft” credit check, but a soft credit check won’t affect your credit score. For a no credit check option, try FlexPay or a payment plan through an online traveling agency to book your reservation; you’ll need to pay the balance before you leave for your trip, but there is no interest and no fees. And, of course, you can apply for a personal installment loan; personal installment loans can be used for just about anything, including travel. We have all the details on vacation financing and a word of caution on unnecessary debt.

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What Is Vacation Financing?

Vacation financing allows you to book your travel — from flights and hotels to rental cars and other expenses — and pay for it later. Typically, you’ll need to pay the amount in full before the date of travel or, with a personal loan, in installments over a set term (such as 12 months).

Before taking out a personal loan, keep in mind that financial experts advise against going into debt for non-essentials like travel. This advice likely does not include emergency travel to visit a sick relative or attend a funeral; however, if you want cash for a leisure vacation, you could try to earn cash quickly through an option like freelance work or push your travel plans back so you can put some money aside each paycheck to pay for it.

Of course, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to travel and simply can’t pay for it, we have the list of options below.

Travel Now, Pay Later, No Credit Check Options

There are several vacation financing options. First, we’ll go over FlexPay and other payment plans provided by travel companies that are typically paid back before your date of travel. Then, we’ll discuss travel and vacation loans, which provide longer-term financing through travel booking websites like Expedia. Finally, we’ll explain how you can use a personal installment loan to pay for travel.

FlexPay and Payment Plans

Online travel agency (OTA) financing and FlexPay options are available at the time of booking. Typically, you’ll set up a payment plan with the travel company. A security deposit may be required — and will be applied toward the total cost of the trip — but you likely won’t be asked to provide any financial or credit information (read: no credit check!). Keep in mind, with these options, the amount you borrow must be paid in full before the beginning of your trip.

Possible downsides include:

FlexPay isn’t a “travel now, pay later” option since you’ll have to pay in full before you leave for your trip.
Since you have to pay back the amount before you leave, it may not be a viable option for last-minute or emergency travel financing.

Note: For more about FlexPay, see our article: FlexPay Shopping Sites to Consider: HSN, Hatch By Wilcom, etc.

goBahamasPlus

This online travel agency will help you book a cruise, hotel, vacation package, and more for the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Terms: No interest, no fees. You must book at least 45 days in advance, as the total amount due must be paid at least 45 days before your trip. The total cost must exceed $400, as you will be required to make a $400 down payment at the time of booking. You can pay in installments or one lump sum.
Credit check required? No
Source: goBahamasPlus FlexPay
How to apply: As long as you meet the booking requirements, select FlexPay as your payment method when you check out on the goBahamasPlus website.

Think Vacation Homes

This booking agency focuses on vacation rentals and has a curated collection of professionally managed properties available for rent.

Terms: No interest, no fees. You must book at least 60 days in advance, as the total amount due must be paid at least 60 days before your trip. A 20% deposit is due at the time of booking. If a balance remains, your original payment method will be automatically charged. Canceled trips will be refunded except for the 20% deposit.
Credit check required? No
Source: Think Vacation Homes FlexPay
How to apply: As long as you meet the booking requirements, select FlexPay as your payment method when you check out on Think Vacation Homes’ website.

Airfordable

This airfare booking site allows you to pay for your flight in installments.

Terms: You’ll pay a one-time service fee (10 to 20% of the airfare total) at the time of booking. You must book at least 19 days in advance. Airfare must be at least $200. Flight must be paid in full before the date of travel. Canceled flights must still be paid in full. (Exception: If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you can receive a full refund)
Credit check required? No
Source: Airfordable FAQs
How to apply: Book your flight through Airfordable and select your preferred payment plan.

Travel and Vacation Loans

Travel and vacation loans are good for travel now, pay later and are often provided by third-party companies when you book through an OTA or airline. These loans function like personal installment loans but are specifically for travel expenses.

Possible downsides include:

Travel loans typically require a credit check — but you may be able to qualify even if you have bad credit or no credit history.
Financial experts warn against going into debt for unnecessary expenses like travel. Make sure you have a plan to pay back the loan.

UpLift

You can use UpLift Pay Monthly to finance flights, vacation rentals, hotels, and more through the company’s travel providers. Partners include: Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Funjet Vacations. UpLift offers financing in the form of unsecured installment loans.

Terms: You’ll pay a 2% fee at the time of booking, plus fixed-rate interest ranging from 8.99 to 36%. You do not need to pay back the loan back before you travel; you’ll pay the loan amount back over a fixed term, such as 12 months.
Credit check required? Yes. A “soft” credit check is required; a soft credit check will not impact your credit score.
Source: Up Lift
How to apply: When booking a trip through one of UpLift’s travel providers, select UpLift as your payment method at checkout, and you’ll be directed to the application.

Affirm

Affirm offers installment loans to finance travel. You can book through partner sites like Expedia, CheapAir.com, and Groupon Getaways.

Terms: You’ll pay a service fee at the time of booking, plus 0 to 30% APR. Loan lengths range from three to 12 months.
Credit check required? Yes. A “soft” credit check is required; a soft credit check will not impact your credit score. Affirm approves borrowers with low credit scores.
Source: Travel with Affirm
How to apply: When booking a trip through one of Affirm’s partners, select Affirm as your payment method at checkout, and you’ll be directed to the application.

Personal Installment Loans

You can get a personal installment loan for just about anything, including travel. Several legitimate and affordable personal loan options don’t require a credit check and/or approve borrowers with bad credit.

Possible downsides include:

Personal installment loans typically require a credit check — but you may be able to qualify even if you have bad credit or no credit history. Beware: Some lenders have high interest rates.
Financial experts warn against going into debt for unnecessary expenses like travel. Make sure you have a plan to pay back the loan.

Note: For more on personal loans, see our articles: Need a Loan, Been Refused Everywhere? Here’s What to Try Next… and How to Get a Loan Without a Job (Or Even a Bank Account!).

OneMain Financial

This lender is known for providing loans to those with bad credit or limited credit history.

Terms: Secured or unsecured loans from $1,500 to $30,000. Interest rates range from 16 to 36%. Loan lengths range from 24 to 60 months.
Credit check required? Yes. There is no minimum credit score, but the average OneMain Financial borrower has a credit score between 600 and 650.
Source: OneMain Financial Vacation Loans
Apply

Avant

This lender offers personal loans to those with bad-to-average credit by considering factors beyond your credit score when determining loan eligibility.

Terms: Loans from $2,000 to $35,000. Interest rates range from 10 to 36%. Loan lengths range from 24 to 60 months.
Credit check required? Yes; minimum credit score of 580. You must also have a minimum income of $20,000.
Source: Avant
Apply

OppLoans

This lender focuses on personal loan solutions for borrowers with bad credit. But, be aware that interest rates are significantly higher than those from the lenders listed above.

Terms: You’ll pay an origination fee. Loans up to $4,000. Interest rates up to 199%.
Credit check required? Yes. A “soft” credit check is required; a soft credit check will not impact your credit score. There is no minimum credit score. You must also provide proof of a stable income of at least $1,500/month.
Source: OppLoans
Apply

LendUp

This lender is focused on helping customers build their credit. As you borrow from LendUp and successfully repay your loan, you gain access to larger loan amounts with better terms.

Terms: Lump-sum loans are $100 to $500, with interest rates up to 900% annually; loans must be paid back within 30 days. Installment loans are $100 to $1,000, with interest rates ranging from 30 to 180%. Loan lengths range from three to 12 months.
Credit check required? No. You must have a checking account.
Source: LendUp Loans
Apply

In Summary

If you need to travel but can’t cover the cost of the trip, you may need to look into vacation financing. There are travel now, pay later and no credit check options available. FlexPay and other payment plans will let you book a trip and pay for it before you leave. Travel loans provide financing in the form of installment loans issued directly through travel booking sites. And, personal installment loans can be used to pay for travel expenses and reservations. Keep in mind, you should have a plan to pay back the loan no matter what type of vacation financing you choose.

Suggested further reading: Fly now, Pay Later Options