Travel is expensive, and airlines know many passengers prefer flexibility when paying for a ticket. Over the last few years, a clear trend has emerged across the aviation industry: more carriers are offering “buy now, pay later” choices or are working with banks and fintech partners to let customers spread the cost of a flight over several months. Emirates is part of that movement. This article explains how Emirates approaches installment payments, what options are available, who can use them, how they work in practice, and the limitations and fine print you should watch for when considering installment plans for Emirates tickets.
Emirates does offer installment and buy-now-pay-later alternatives, but availability varies by market, payment partner, and the channel you use to book. In some countries Emirates has direct promotions and bank partnerships that allow 0 percent interest installments for a fixed period. In other markets Emirates integrates third-party financing platforms that let customers split fares into monthly payments. Additionally, many third-party travel agents and online resellers that sell Emirates flights also provide BNPL choices such as Klarna, Tamara, Tabby, Uplift, and similar services. The common thread is that installment availability, terms, and interest depend on the customer’s country, the payment provider, and whether any promotional offers apply.
Why airlines and customers like installment payments
For airlines, offering installment options can increase bookings, reduce abandoned carts during checkout, and make higher-class cabins more attainable for customers who prefer to pay over time. For passengers, installment plans can make travel more affordable by spreading the cost across multiple months, sometimes with promotional 0 percent interest plans that are essentially the same as paying with a credit card but with deferred installments. However, installment schemes are not free in every situation — fees, interest, eligibility checks, and minimum transaction amounts can apply depending on the provider and promotion.
How Emirates provides installment options — three common routes
There are three practical ways Emirates passengers commonly access installment payments.
- Direct bank- or region-specific promotions on Emirates’ own site
Emirates runs localized offers and payment plans with specific banks and issuing partners in certain countries. These offers sometimes afford 0 percent installment periods for a limited time or are gated to particular credit cards. Such promotions are typically listed on Emirates’ special offers or payments pages, and they vary by market and seasonal campaign. - Embedded BNPL partnerships for certain markets
Emirates has publicly partnered with BNPL solutions to offer pay-over-time options directly through its booking flow in selected markets. For example, Emirates announced a partnership with Uplift to make monthly installment plans available to customers in the United States and Canada, with pay-over-time terms such as 3, 6, 9, or 12 monthly payments depending on the plan. These partnerships are marketed as a way to split the fare into regular monthly payments at checkout. - Third-party travel sellers and BNPL platforms
Many online travel agencies and resellers that list Emirates inventory provide buy-now-pay-later options through their own BNPL partners. These platforms may offer a wider choice of lenders than Emirates itself, giving customers access to Klarna, Tabby, Tamara, Afterpay, or Klarna products, for example. In these cases, the reseller handles the booking and payment acceptance while the BNPL provider manages the repayment schedule. Availability and pricing depend on the reseller, the lender, and the customer’s residency.
Typical terms and what to expect
Because installment plans come from different partners, there is no single “Emirates installment policy.” Instead, here are the typical elements you will encounter:
- Market-specific availability: Not every country or departure point will show installment options. Emirates lists payment options by region and may run promotions for specific card issuers or banks.
- Partner-determined terms: When Emirates uses a BNPL partner, that partner sets the repayment structure, APR (if any), and eligibility rules. Uplift, for example, offers multi-month plans for North American customers under terms that vary by loan amount and credit check.
- 0 percent promotional windows: Banks sometimes run 0 percent installment plans for a limited time (for example, three or twelve months) on tickets bought through Emirates using a particular card. These are limited-time offers with value thresholds and are only for cardholders of the participating bank.
- Minimum transaction amounts: Installment offers often require a minimum ticket value to qualify. This prevents programs from being used for very cheap bookings and ensures the administrative cost is viable.
- Eligibility checks: BNPL and installment providers will typically run a soft or hard credit check and will accept or deny financing according to their underwriting rules. Approval is not guaranteed.
- Fees and interest: Some plans are interest-free for a promotional period. Others charge interest or service fees, and late payments can result in additional charges and affect credit. Always check the APR and late-fee policy before accepting an installment plan.
How to check whether installments are offered for your booking
- Start a booking on Emirates.com with your departure country set correctly
Emirates profiles payment methods by departure country, so ensure the booking originates from the market where you hold residency or a valid payment method. - Continue to payment and look for ‘pay later’ or ‘installment’ widgets
If Emirates offers direct bank installments in your country you will normally see the bank’s promotion or a “pay later” option on the payment page. When a BNPL partner is available for your market, a buy-now-pay-later option typically appears at checkout. - Check special offers and the payment options page
Emirates publishes localized special offers and payment FAQs which list any current installment campaigns with local banks and partners. These pages also often include minimum spend and expiry dates for promotions. - If in doubt, contact Emirates or your bank
Payment methods often vary by country and currency. Emirates chat support, a local Emirates office, or your card issuer can confirm whether a particular card qualifies for a 0 percent or Easy Pay promotion.
Pros and cons of using an installment plan for an Emirates ticket
Pros
- Improved affordability: Spread a large purchase over manageable monthly payments.
- Access to promotions: Some offers are 0 percent interest, which reduces the cost of financing compared to credit cards.
- Book sooner: If prices are rising, paying in installments lets you lock a fare without paying the full amount upfront.
Cons
- Market and partner limitations: Not universally available across all markets and currencies.
- Potential fees and interest: If not offered as a 0 percent promotion, you may pay interest or service fees.
- Approval is not guaranteed: BNPL providers have eligibility checks and limits.
- Complexity for changes and refunds: If you change or cancel a booking paid with installments, the refund process depends on the provider and can be slower or subject to different rules than a direct card refund.
Practical example: Uplift and bank promotions
Emirates publicly announced a partnership with Uplift to provide installment plans for customers in the United States and Canada, enabling payment over 3, 6, 9, or 12 months depending on the product offered at checkout. This kind of partnership makes it easier for customers in those markets to select a monthly repayment option directly while booking on Emirates.com. Elsewhere, Emirates has run 0 percent installment promotions with banks and card issuers in the Gulf region and other selected markets; those offers are often time-limited and tied to specific card products.
Booking through third parties — extra choices, extra caution
If Emirates’ own checkout does not show an installment option, third-party travel platforms may still let you pay in installments. While this expands your options, it adds a layer of complexity:
- You are technically a customer of the reseller for payment: The reseller takes payment and issues the ticket. If you have an issue with financing or a change to travel, you may need to coordinate with both the reseller and the BNPL provider.
- Different cancellation and refund rules: Refunds for financed purchases may be processed differently and could require coordination between the airline, reseller, and lender.
- Fee transparency: Make sure the BNPL provider’s fees and APR are clearly disclosed before you finalize a booking.
Step-by-step: How to use installments on Emirates.com when available
- Choose your flights and proceed to payment with the correct origin country selected.
- Look for a pay-later or installment option among payment methods. This may be labeled differently depending on the partner.
- Select your financing plan (term length, monthly payment schedule) and complete the lender’s quick application if required. Approval may be instant or take a short processing time.
- Review the repayment schedule, APR, and fees before accepting. Make sure you can meet the monthly obligations.
- Complete the booking. After approval, the lender pays Emirates (or the reseller handles payment) and you repay the lender per the agreed schedule.
Tips for choosing the right installment option
- Compare true cost: Even if a plan looks attractive, calculate total cost including any interest or fees.
- Prefer 0 percent promotions when sensible: If a bank or card promotion offers an interest-free installment period and you can meet monthly payments, it is often the least expensive option.
- Read refund and change policies: Understand how cancellations and refunds will be handled for financed bookings. Some lenders return funds to the original lender or work with the reseller’s policy; this can affect timing and potential fees.
- Keep documentation: Save the loan agreement, repayment schedule, and all booking confirmations in case you need to reconcile payments or process refunds.
- Check eligibility before booking: BNPL approvals can be declined. If you need financing, confirm the lender’s basic eligibility rules so you are not left without payment options at checkout.
Final thoughts
Emirates does allow installment payments for tickets, but the availability and terms depend on where you are booking from and which payment partners are active for that market. Emirates’ own site lists regional payment promotions and integrates with BNPL partners in some countries, while third-party sellers and fintech lenders also offer flexible payment solutions for Emirates flights. If you plan to use installments, carefully review the terms, the true cost, and the refund and change rules that apply to financed bookings. When used thoughtfully and with full awareness of the fees and obligations, installment plans can be a convenient way to make travel more affordable.