CheapAir.com First Online Travel Agency to Accept Monthly Payments for Flights

Customers can travel now and pay over 3, 6 or 12 months*

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Sep 08, 2016, 10:30 ET

CALABASAS, Calif., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CheapAir.com is now the first online travel agency to accept monthly payments for flight purchases. By offering 3-, 6- and 12-month purchase plans,* CheapAir.com aims to make travel accessible to everyone. The company has partnered with Affirm, a financial services technology provider, to enable this new checkout option.

Since 1989, CheapAir.com has taken an unconventional approach to helping people book trips, and has introduced a variety of unique online payment options with the aim of providing more options and more flexibility to travelers. The online travel agency was the first to accept Bitcoin for flights and hotels. CheapAir.com was also the first U.S. travel company to offer buyer protection with its Price Drop Payback™, a feature that reimburses customers up to $100 per ticket if their fare drops before their trip.

CheapAir.com introduced monthly payments in large part for those who love travel but hate credit cards. An astounding 67 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds do not have a credit card, according to a 2016 survey commissioned by Bankrate. Without a credit card, booking expensive flights and last-minute trips can be difficult for many travelers who find paying the entire trip cost upfront cost-prohibitive.

"Credit card issuers, in many respects, have not kept up with the times and there are an increasing number of alternatives now available." said Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. "We want to give everyone the freedom to travel, regardless of whether or not they choose to use credit cards."

When customers reach the CheapAir.com checkout page, they may now choose "Monthly Payments." With the customer's name, email address, mobile phone number, date of birth, and the last four digits of the customer's social security number, Affirm makes a credit decision in real time. Affirm does not charge late fees, service fees, prepayment fees or any other hidden fees. Customers can make their monthly payments by debit card, ACH transfer, or check.

For more details please visit CheapAir.com's monthly payment information page.

*Subject to credit approval. Rates from 10–30% APR based on creditworthiness. Credit check required, though checking your eligibility will not affect your credit score. Term options based on purchase amount. Affirm loans are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey-chartered bank, Member FDIC.

About CheapAir ®
Headquartered in Calabasas, CA, CheapAir.com ® and its team of over 100 travel enthusiasts use cutting edge technology, a boatload of airfare data, and superior customer service to make it easier and less stressful to buy affordable airline tickets. Our proprietary airfare shopping engine uses a patented algorithm that scours the web for the lowest prices on the planet. We show fares and flight options in a simple, easy to navigate display that includes which flights have which inflight amenities. For expert travel advice, deals and inspiration connect with CheapAir on Facebook, CheapAir on Google+ and CheapAir on Twitter.

CEO Jeff Klee started CheapAir in 1989 from his college dorm room after getting a crash course in the airline industry from planning his own backpacking trip through Europe on a student's budget. CheapAir.com still takes a creative approach to fare finding and, including its corporate travel services arm, Amtrav, has now helped over three million people buy plane tickets with confidence.

About Affirm
Affirm offers services that empower consumers to advance their financial well-being. Our goal is to revolutionize the banking industry to be more accountable and accessible to consumers. Today, Affirm shoppers get the flexibility to buy now and make simple monthly payments for their purchases. Unlike payment options that have compounding interest and unexpected costs, Affirm shows customers upfront exactly what they'll owe — with no hidden fees and no surprises. Affirm also reaches a broader population of consumers through advanced technology and analytics that look beyond traditional FICO scores. These features increase customer satisfaction over other options.

SOURCE CheapAir.com