With the goal of making air travel more accessible, airlines worldwide are developing innovative payment options. AirAsia has a lesser-known Buy Now, Pay Later scheme specially tailored to its customers in Australia and Indonesia. These schemes allow customers to secure their travel plans without immediate financial burden. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing these options.
if you’re interested there are other Airlines with Buy Now, Pay Later Schemes
Country-Specific Buy Now, Pay Later Schemes
Unfortunately, AirAsia only offers a direct Buy Now, Pay Later scheme in two countries.
Australia
In Australia, AirAsia has partnered with Zip since 2019 and has run the “Escape now, pay later” plan. This initiative enables Australian travellers to confirm their bookings instantly and split the total cost over a series of manageable payments.
The flexibility allows anyone booking from Australia access to Air Asia’s route network on a flexible payment plan.
Indonesia
For its Indonesian market, AirAsia provides the “Installment Payment Option” in partnership with Bank Mandiri and Bank Negara Indonesia. The Bank Mandiri collaboration allows customers to book any AirAsia flight operating in Indonesia, while the Bank Negara Indonesia collaboration extends to flights where AK, QZ, and D7 are operating airlines in code share with AirAsia.
How to Use the Buy Now, Pay Later Option
Availing of the Buy Now, Pay Later scheme is straightforward:
- Book your flight through the AirAsia website or mobile app.
- At checkout, choose the Buy Now, Pay Later or the Installment Payment Option, provided you’re eligible.
- Follow the prompts to set up your instalment plan and finalize your booking.
Remember, eligibility for these schemes requires you to have a credit account with the partnering financial institution in your respective country.
Advantages, Considerations, and Additional Costs
The main advantage of these schemes is the financial flexibility they offer. They enable customers to distribute the cost of air travel into manageable instalments, thereby making flights more affordable and accessible.
However, it’s crucial to be aware of the additional costs associated with these schemes. For instance, in Indonesia, the Installment Payment option entails a processing fee of IDR 80,000 (excluding VAT for domestic flights) per guest per booking. This fee adds to the total cost of the travel and needs to be considered when deciding to use the scheme.
Moreover, ensure you understand the specific terms and conditions, including any extra charges for late or missed payments, before opting for these payment methods.
Conclusion
AirAsia’s Buy Now, Pay Later schemes, currently available in Australia and Indonesia, offer a flexible and innovative approach to manage travel expenses. By adapting to the financial needs of customers in different markets, AirAsia continues to make air travel more accessible. As always, understanding the specifics of these payment options and associated charges can help you make the most of these services.
