My Experience with Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) for Travel
When I needed to book a last-minute flight during an emergency last year, I turned to a service called Uplift, one of many Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) programs. At the time, splitting the cost of the ticket into smaller, manageable payments seemed like the perfect solution. The convenience of BNPL allowed me to secure the flight quickly without worrying about the full upfront cost. However, as the months went by, I realized that paying for a flight long after the trip had ended was not as seamless or stress-free as I had hoped. In fact, it became a financial burden that weighed heavily on my budget and made me rethink whether I’d ever use BNPL for travel again.
The Allure of Convenience (And Why It’s Not Always Worth It)
The biggest draw of BNPL services like Uplift, Klarna, and Afterpay is their convenience. These platforms allow you to purchase goods, book travel, or secure flights without paying the full amount upfront. With just a few clicks, you can finance almost anything you need. This concept reminds me of layaway plans, which my mom used when I was growing up. She’d make payments over time for back-to-school clothes or Christmas gifts, and only receive the items once they were fully paid off. While layaway required patience, it was a responsible and thoughtful way to manage expenses.
BNPL, on the other hand, flips this idea by giving you immediate access to goods or services while delaying payment. This can feel empowering, especially for last-minute expenses like my flight. However, the emotional and financial impact of paying for something long after you’ve used it is far from ideal. Paying for a flight months after the trip feels counterintuitive, as the excitement of the journey has worn off, leaving only the lingering debt.
Paying for Travel After It’s Over Feels Burdensome
Once my emergency was resolved, I returned home and started budgeting for everyday expenses like groceries and utilities. But the BNPL payments for my flight remained a constant financial burden. It’s frustrating to watch your hard-earned money go toward something you’ve already used, rather than saving for the future or enjoying current expenses. Using BNPL for travel complicates financial planning, especially since travel expenses are often planned far in advance to allow for budgeting and saving.
If you frequently use BNPL for travel or other purchases, it can create a cycle of overlapping expenses that’s difficult to manage. For example, while you’re paying off one trip, you might start planning the next, leading to a never-ending cycle of debt. This is why relying on BNPL for travel, especially for frequent travelers, can quickly become problematic.
No Travel Rewards or Perks
Another major downside of using BNPL services for flights is the lack of travel rewards. Many travelers, myself included, rely on rewards programs to maximize their spending. Airlines and travel rewards credit cards often offer frequent flyer miles, hotel points, or cashback on travel-related purchases. These perks can lead to free flights, upgraded seating, or discounted stays.
When you use BNPL, you miss out on these rewards entirely. The payments don’t earn you any loyalty points or benefits, leaving you to pay full price without any added value. In my case, I couldn’t even earn points on my Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card because I chose to use BNPL instead. This meant I not only paid for the flight but also missed out on potential rewards that could have been used for future travel.
Credit Cards Offer More Flexibility (If Used Wisely)
While I don’t advocate for putting unnecessary expenses on credit cards without a plan to pay them off, credit cards often offer more flexibility and benefits than BNPL services, especially for emergencies. Many credit cards come with travel insurance, rewards programs, and perks like TSA PreCheck or lounge access. For example, my Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card could have earned me points toward future travel or redeemed perks like early boarding.
Had I used a travel rewards credit card for my emergency flight, I could have earned points to put toward future trips. Plus, many credit cards offer 0% APR introductory rates, allowing you to treat purchases like BNPL plans by paying them off before interest kicks in. While BNPL services like Uplift offer convenience in a pinch, they lack the flexibility and rewards of credit cards.
Should You Use BNPL for Travel? Here’s a Final Word
For those considering BNPL for travel, I recommend evaluating your options carefully. If you already have a travel rewards credit card or can take advantage of a 0% APR promotion, you might find better alternatives for financing emergency trips. While BNPL services like Uplift provide immediate access to funds during stressful times, they come with downsides that can complicate your financial planning and leave you without rewards or perks.
In hindsight, I won’t make paying for travel with BNPL a habit, and I encourage others to think twice before doing the same. The convenience of BNPL might seem appealing in the moment, but the long-term financial and emotional impact of paying for a trip long after it’s over isn’t worth it.
