Which Airlines Accept Zip as a Payment Method?
Booking flights can be a significant expense, particularly when you’re travelling internationally or organising a family holiday. If you’d prefer to spread the cost of your airfare over time, you may be wondering which airlines accept Zip as a payment method.
In Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Cathay Pacific are among the airlines listed by Zip or offering Zip payment options for eligible bookings. You can also use selected online travel agencies, including Alternative Airlines, to explore flights with other carriers. However, the payment method, eligibility requirements and fees vary between providers.
The key is to check how Zip works with your chosen airline before booking. Some airlines offer Zip directly at checkout, while others may require you to use an eligible Zip card or book through a participating travel provider.
Which airlines accept Zip in Australia?
Qantas
Qantas allows eligible customers to pay for flights departing from Australia using Zip through its official website. Zip may not be available for every itinerary or booking.
According to Qantas, Zip cannot be used for round-the-world itineraries, flight vouchers or non-flight products and services. Bookings that include carbon credits or travel insurance are also excluded from Zip payments. Applicable payment fees may apply.
Check the official Qantas payment options before making a reservation.
Jetstar
Jetstar explicitly accepts Zip for eligible domestic and international flights operated by Jetstar Airways (JQ).
To use Zip:
- Book through the official Jetstar website.
- Complete your booking at least 24 hours before the first departing flight.
- Select Zip as your payment method at checkout.
- Review the repayment terms and payment fee before confirming.
Jetstar states that a 1.77% payment fee applies when you pay with Zip. It also permits split payments using Zip alongside certain other payment methods, including eligible vouchers, gift cards and Qantas Points.
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia appears in Zip’s Australian travel merchant directory. Zip’s dedicated Virgin Australia merchant explains that eligible customers can pay using a single-use card in the Zip app or select Zip at checkout where that option is available.
This distinction matters because payment options can vary by transaction. Before booking, check whether Zip appears at checkout for your selected flights and review the applicable fees, credit conditions and repayment requirements.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific provides a dedicated Zip payment option on its Australian website.
Customers booking eligible flights can select Zip at checkout, sign in to their Zip account and confirm the payment. Cathay Pacific advertises Zip Pay and Zip Money options, subject to their respective conditions.
Read the airline’s official Pay with Zip information to check the current booking limits and account terms.
How to use Zip for flights with other airlines?
Potentially, yes. Zip offers Visa-based payment options, including eligible digital cards and single-use cards. These may work for online purchases at merchants that accept the relevant card, subject to Zip’s terms, transaction restrictions and approval.
Zip’s merchant directory also lists airlines and travel brands such as Singapore Airlines, Air India, Etihad Airways and Hawaiian Airlines. However, appearing in the directory does not necessarily mean an airline offers a dedicated Zip checkout option for every booking.
For this reason, distinguish between three payment methods:
Payment method | How it works |
Direct Zip checkout | Select Zip on the airline’s payment page. |
Zip single-use card | Use an eligible card generated through the Zip app, where accepted. |
Booking through a travel agency | Purchase an eligible flight through a provider that supports Zip. |
Check the Zip travel directory for participating merchants and the latest offers. Do not assume that a payment option available through one booking channel will also work through another.
How to book flights using Zip
If you have an eligible Zip account, the booking process is generally straightforward.
- Choose your flights: Compare routes, departure times, baggage allowances and the total fare before committing.
- Check payment eligibility: Visit the airline’s official website or a participating travel provider and confirm that Zip is available for your booking.
- Review the full cost: Look at payment fees, account fees, interest conditions and any other charges that may apply.
- Select Zip at checkout: Follow the instructions to sign in to your account or use an eligible Zip card.
- Confirm your booking: Make sure you receive a booking reference and ticket confirmation, then review your repayment schedule in the Zip app.
If Zip is not offered at checkout, do not assume that another payment method will automatically be eligible for the same transaction.
What should you check before paying for flights with Zip?
Using a buy now, pay later service can help spread a large purchase across multiple repayments, but it does not reduce the underlying airfare. The total cost and repayment obligations still matter.
Before booking, check these points.
Payment fees: Some airlines charge an additional fee for Zip. Jetstar, for example, publishes a 1.77% payment fee for Zip bookings.
Account fees and interest: Zip Pay, Zip Plus and Zip Money have different terms. Depending on the product, balance, repayment behaviour and applicable conditions, fees or interest may apply.
Eligibility: Approval, available credit and transaction limits can affect whether your flight purchase goes through. Having a Zip account does not guarantee approval for every purchase.
Refunds and cancellations: Airline cancellation policies and the terms governing your Zip account both matter. Check how refunds are handled before buying a non-refundable fare.
Departure location: Some airline payment options are restricted to flights departing from particular countries. For example, Qantas states that Zip is available for eligible bookings departing from Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book flights with Zip without paying the full amount upfront?
Zip provides repayment options that allow eligible customers to pay over time. However, approval, available credit, fees and interest conditions depend on the account product and transaction. Review the terms before booking.
Does every airline listed by Zip accept Zip directly?
No. A listing in Zip’s merchant directory does not necessarily mean that an airline offers a dedicated Zip payment option at its own checkout. Some purchases may require an eligible Zip card or booking through a participating travel provider.
Is Zip available for flights departing outside Australia?
Availability varies by airline, booking channel and account eligibility. Qantas, for example, states that its Zip option is available for bookings departing from Australia. Always check the specific airline’s payment rules for your departure country.
