Ready to plan a dream vacation but worried about the upfront costs? Uplift, a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform designed just for travel, can make it easier to pay for your trip over time. Instead of paying for everything all at once, Uplift lets you book now and break your payments into manageable monthly installments. Here’s how to use it to finance your next trip and make your travel plans a reality.

What is Uplift?

Uplift is a financing option that partners with airlines, cruise lines, travel agencies, and vacation sites to offer flexible payment plans for travel bookings. With Uplift, you can book your flights, hotel, cruises, or complete vacation packages and pay for them in monthly installments, rather than in a lump sum. The process is straightforward, and in many cases, you can select a payment plan that works for your budget.

How Uplift works

Uplift offers a streamlined way to finance travel purchases. The company works with partners like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as popular travel booking sites like Expedia and Universal Parks & Resorts. When you’re ready to book your trip, Uplift lets you break down the total cost into fixed monthly payments, helping you to manage your budget without giving up on your travel goals.

Benefits of using Uplift for travel

  • Budget-friendly payments: Uplift allows you to split the cost of your trip into smaller, fixed monthly payments that fit your budget.
  • Instant approval: Most applications are approved in real-time, so you can secure your travel plans immediately.
  • No hidden fees: Uplift is transparent about any interest or fees involved, and there are no prepayment penalties, meaning you can pay off your trip early without extra costs.
  • Soft credit check: Uplift does a soft credit check, so it won’t impact your credit score when applying.

How to use Uplift to book your trip

Step 1: Choose a travel partner

To get started, check out travel websites that partner with Uplift. Many major airlines, cruise lines, and vacation booking platforms offer Uplift as a payment option. Some popular options are:

   Airlines: Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines.

   Cruises: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line.

   Vacation sites: Expedia, Universal Studios, Cheap Caribbean.

You can check Uplift’s website for a complete list of partners or just look for Uplift as a payment option during checkout.

Step 2: Select Uplift at checkout

When you’re done planning your trip and are ready to book, proceed to checkout. If Uplift is available as a payment method with that provider, you’ll see it as an option. Choose Uplift to finance your travel, and you’ll be taken to the Uplift’s site.

Step 3: Enter your information

You’ll need to provide some basic information to determine your eligibility, such as:

  •    Full name
  •    Date of birth
  •    Mobile number
  •    Social Security number (for a soft credit check)

Based on this information, Uplift will perform a soft credit check (it won’t affect your credit score). You’ll get an instant decision on whether you qualify, and see the available payment plan options available to you.

Step 4: Choose your payment plan

Once you’re approved, Uplift will show you monthly payment plans based on the total cost of your trip. You’ll be able to select the one that works best for your budget. Payment terms can range from 3 to 24 months, depending on the total price and your credit profile. Interest rates are personalized, and they vary based on factors like your credit score and the length of the payment plan.

Step 5: Complete your booking

After selecting your preferred payment plan, you’ll finalize the booking. Uplift will take care of the rest, making sure that your payments are scheduled automatically. You’ll usually make your first payment at the time of booking, and then the rest will be divided into the number of monthly payments you selected.

Step 6: Manage your payments

Uplift’s platform makes it easy to manage your payments through their site or app. You can log in to your account to view your payment schedule, make additional payments, or pay off your balance early if you want to.

Things to keep in mind

  • Interest rates: 0% financing for some plans, but most will have an interest rate. The rate depends on your credit and the payment term length, so it’s important to compare the total cost with and without interest before you commit.
  • Eligibility: Not everyone will qualify for Uplift financing, since it depends on your credit profile.
  • No prepayment penalties: If you want to pay off your trip early, Uplift lets you do it without any penalties, protecting you from interest charges.

Advantages of using Uplift

  • Flexible payments: you can break your trip’s cost into manageable payments, making travel more accessible.
  • Fast approval: The application process is quick and easy, with most approvals happening instantly.
  • No hidden fees: they’re upfront about the cost of the plan, so there are no surprises down the line.
  • No hard credit check: The initial credit check is a soft inquiry, so applying doesn’t affect your credit score.

Is Uplift right for you?

Uplift is a great option if you want to book a trip now but don’t want to pay the full cost upfront. It’s especially useful for big trips, like family vacations, cruises, or international travel. But it’s important to keep in mind that interest may apply, so be sure to weigh the total cost of financing before you make a decision. If the interest is high, using a rewards credit card or other financing options may make more sense.