Air Canada offers payment plans through third-party financing, not directly through the airline

Air Canada does not run its own payment plan program. Instead, the airline accepts financing from Affirm and Sezzle at checkout on its website and mobile app. Both services let you split your ticket cost into installments — typically four payments over six weeks with Affirm, or four payments over eight weeks with Sezzle. Neither charges interest if you pay on time, though late payments trigger fees.

You can also use a credit card with a promotional 0% APR offer, which functions as a payment plan but requires you to manage the timeline yourself. Some travel rewards cards offer this benefit for 6 to 12 months, depending on the card issuer and your creditworthiness.

Air Canada does not offer layaway, deferred payment, or installment plans where you pay the airline directly over time. The financing options available are the ones the payment processors provide at the moment you book.

Key Takeaways

  • Affirm and Sezzle are the two financing services Air Canada accepts, both splitting your ticket into four interest-free installments if paid on time.
  • Affirm typically spreads payments over six weeks, while Sezzle spreads them over eight weeks, so the payment schedule differs between the two.
  • Late payments on either service trigger fees, so you need to make each payment by the due date to avoid charges.
  • A 0% APR credit card offer is another way to spread the cost, but you manage the repayment timeline yourself rather than through a preset schedule.

How Affirm works when you book an Air Canada flight

When you reach the payment screen on Air Canada's website or app, Affirm appears as a checkout option. You select it, enter your name and date of birth, and Affirm runs a soft credit check — this does not affect your credit score. The check takes seconds and you see your approval status when ready.

If approved, your ticket price splits into four equal payments. The first payment comes out of your bank account or debit card right away. The remaining three payments are due every two weeks after that. You receive email reminders before each payment date. If you miss a payment, Affirm charges a late fee (the amount varies) and may attempt to collect the overdue amount.

Affirm does not charge interest as long as you make all four payments on time. If you want to pay off the full balance early, you can do so through the Affirm app or website without penalty.

How Sezzle works when you book an Air Canada flight

Sezzle is another financing option at Air Canada checkout. Like Affirm, it splits your ticket into four equal payments, but the timeline is longer — payments are due every two weeks over eight weeks total instead of six. You see your approval decision when ready after Sezzle checks your information.

Your first payment is charged right away. The next three payments come out automatically on the dates Sezzle specifies. Sezzle sends reminders before each payment is due. If a payment fails or you miss the important date, Sezzle charges a late fee and may pause your account until the overdue amount is paid.

Like Affirm, Sezzle charges no interest if you pay on schedule. You can pay off the remaining balance early through the Sezzle app without extra charges.

What happens if you cannot make a payment

If a payment fails because your bank account or card has insufficient funds, the financing service will attempt to collect again over the next few days. Each failed attempt typically triggers a fee. After multiple failures, the service may refer your account to a collections agency, which can damage your credit score.

If you know a payment is coming due and you cannot cover it, contact the financing service (Affirm or Sezzle) directly before the due date. Some services offer hardship options or the ability to reschedule a single payment, though this varies and is not may provide. Waiting until after the payment fails makes your options narrower.

Your Air Canada ticket remains valid while you work through payment issues with the financing service. The airline is not involved in collections — that is between you and the financing company.

Using a credit card with a promotional rate instead

Many credit cards offer 0% APR for 6 to 12 months on purchases, including airline tickets. If your card has this offer active, you can charge your Air Canada ticket to it and pay off the balance interest-free during the promotional period. You set your own payment schedule as long as you clear the balance before the promotional rate expires.

The advantage is flexibility — you can pay weekly, monthly, or in whatever chunks work for your budget. The disadvantage is that if you do not pay off the full balance by the time the promotional period ends, the regular APR (often 18% to 25%) applies to any remaining balance retroactively, sometimes back to the original purchase date.

Check your card's terms to confirm the promotional rate is active and covers the full purchase amount. Some cards cap the promotional offer at a certain dollar amount or exclude certain merchants, though Air Canada tickets are usually covered.

Timing and what to know before you book

Both Affirm and Sezzle process your first payment when ready when you complete your booking. Your Air Canada ticket is issued right away — you do not have to wait for all payments to clear. This means if your flight is in two weeks and you book today, your ticket is ready to use even though you still owe three more payments.

The financing services do not communicate with Air Canada about your payment status. If you stop paying Affirm or Sezzle, Air Canada will not cancel your ticket. However, the financing company will pursue collection, which can affect your credit and lead to legal action if the debt is large enough.

If you need to cancel or change your Air Canada flight, handle that directly with the airline. Canceling your ticket does not cancel your financing obligation — you still owe the payments to Affirm or Sezzle unless they have a specific policy about refunds tied to ticket cancellations. Check the financing service's terms before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Affirm or Sezzle if I do not have a credit card?

Yes. Both services accept debit cards and bank account connections. Affirm and Sezzle do a soft credit check based on your identity and payment history, not just your credit score, so you may be approved even without a credit card or credit history.

What if Affirm or Sezzle denies me?

If you are denied, you can still pay for your Air Canada ticket with a debit card, credit card, or other payment method at checkout. You straightforward will not have the installment option. Some people are approved by one service but not the other, so if Affirm declines you, Sezzle may still approve you.

Do I have to use the same payment method for all four installments?

Yes. Affirm and Sezzle charge all four payments to the same bank account or card you provide at checkout. You cannot switch payment methods between installments.

Can I use a payment plan for seat upgrades or baggage fees?

No. Affirm and Sezzle are only available at the main ticket checkout. Upgrades, baggage fees, and other add-ons purchased separately do not have financing options through Air Canada.

What if my flight is cancelled and I get a refund?

Air Canada will refund your ticket price, but you still owe the remaining payments to Affirm or Sezzle. Contact the financing service to discuss your options — some may offer a refund or adjustment if your ticket is cancelled, but this is not automatic.