Afterpay is a popular buy now, pay later service that allows shoppers to split purchases into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks. With Afterpay, you can buy tickets for events, flights, concerts, and more without paying the full amount upfront. But how exactly does buying tickets through Afterpay work? Here’s what you need to know about using Afterpay to purchase tickets.
What is Afterpay?
Afterpay is a service that lets you pay for purchases in installments over time with zero interest. When you use Afterpay at checkout, your order total is split into 4 equal payments over 6 weeks. You pay the first installment at the time of purchase, and the remaining 3 installments are automatically charged to your payment method every 2 weeks.
Some key things to know about Afterpay:
- There are no interest fees or hidden costs – you only pay the amount of your original order.
- Late fees may apply if you miss a payment deadline.
- Afterpay is completely free for the shopper when payments are made on time.
- The service is available at over 100,000 retailers online and in-store.
- Afterpay uses soft credit checks that don’t affect your credit score to determine eligibility.
Overall, Afterpay aims to make shopping more manageable by splitting costs over time. It’s a flexible way to pay that can help budget for large purchases or avoid credit card debt and interest.
What can you buy with Afterpay?
Afterpay can be used to purchase all kinds of products, including:
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Beauty and cosmetics
- Jewelry and watches
- Home goods and furniture
- Baby products
- Sporting goods and fitness equipment
- Electronics
- Tickets for events, flights, concerts, theme parks, and more
If a retailer offers Afterpay at checkout, you can use it to pay for any eligible items in your cart. The minimum order value is usually around $35-$50, and maximum orders go up to $1,000-$2,000 depending on the store.
Many popular brands offer Afterpay, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Forever21, Nike, Sephora, and Ticketmaster. So you’ll often see it as a payment option when shopping online or in-app.
Using Afterpay for tickets
One of the most popular uses for Afterpay is splitting up the cost of tickets over time. Afterpay works with major ticket sellers like Ticketmaster and Eventbrite, so you can use it to purchase tickets for:
- Concerts and music festivals
- Theater performances
- Sporting events
- Comedy shows
- Theme parks
- Museums and attractions
- Movies
- Flights
The process of buying tickets through Afterpay is the same as using it for any other purchase. At checkout, simply select Afterpay as your payment method and enter your details.
How does Afterpay work for tickets?
Here are the step-by-step details on using Afterpay specifically for ticket purchases:
- Find tickets from a retailer that offers Afterpay. Major ticket sellers like Ticketmaster allow Afterpay at checkout, but smaller vendors may not. Be sure to look for the Afterpay logo before purchasing.
- Select your tickets and proceed to checkout. Add the tickets you want to your cart and complete the checkout process as normal.
- Choose Afterpay as your payment method. On the checkout page, you’ll see Afterpay as a payment option. Select it to split your order into 4 installments.
- Enter your details to create an Afterpay account. If it’s your first time using Afterpay, you’ll need to provide information like your name, email, phone number, and payment details.
- Pay the first 25% as a deposit. You’ll pay the first portion of the total ticket cost upfront. The remaining balance will be split into 3 installments over 6 weeks.
- Receive your tickets immediately. Afterpay releases the tickets to you right away, so you’ll have access to them as soon as your order is approved.
- Make the remaining payments every 2 weeks. Afterpay will automatically charge your chosen payment method 3 times over 6 weeks to collect the remaining balance.
Once you complete the checkout process, your ticket purchase is covered by Afterpay’s terms and you’re all set to attend the event!
Afterpay ticket checkout example
Here’s an example of how a $200 concert ticket purchase would work with Afterpay:
- At checkout, select Afterpay as the payment method.
- Pay the first installment of $50 immediately for the deposit.
- 2 weeks later, a second payment of $50 is processed.
- After another 2 weeks, a third payment of $50 is processed.
- A final payment of $50 is processed 6 weeks after the initial purchase date.
By splitting the $200 into 4 equal installments, Afterpay allows you to better manage the cost over time.
The pros and cons of buying tickets with Afterpay
Here are some key advantages and potential downsides to consider when using Afterpay for tickets:
Pros
- Pay over time – Afterpay splits the total cost into manageable portions due every 2 weeks. This can help you afford expensive tickets that might be outside your normal budget.
- Avoid high upfront costs – Rather than paying the full ticket price immediately, you only have to cover 25% as a deposit first.
- Zero interest – Afterpay never charges interest or hidden fees. You only repay the original ticket value.
- No impact on credit – Afterpay checks don’t affect your credit score or appear on your credit report.
- Available for a variety of tickets – Use Afterpay for concerts, games, flights, events, and more from major retailers.
Cons
- Missed payment fees – If you miss an installment payment, you may be charged a small late fee by Afterpay.
- Limited timeline – You must fully repay the ticket balance within 6 weeks. Afterpay may restrict your account until it’s paid off.
- Not available everywhere – While popular, some smaller sellers don’t offer Afterpay yet.
- Account approval needed – First-time users have to pass Afterpay’s approval process based on eligibility factors.
Who is Afterpay for?
Afterpay can be a helpful way to pay for anyone who:
- Wants to budget large purchases over time
- Prefers to avoid credit cards and interest
- Has a short-term cash flow limitation
- Doesn’t want to drain their bank account in one transaction
- Seeks an alternative financing option without impacting their credit
It offers flexibility for managing expenses on big-ticket item likes tickets. Keep in mind that Afterpay requires you to fully repay the balance within 6 weeks to avoid any fees.
Afterpay also has a quick account approval process. It’s available to users who:
- Are 18+ years old
- Have a valid debit or credit card
- Have a good history of on-time payments
- Don’t have outstanding Afterpay debt
They conduct soft credit checks that don’t affect your credit score to confirm eligibility.
The bottom line on Afterpay for tickets
Afterpay delivers an easy way to split up the cost of tickets over time. By letting you pay 25% upfront and the remainder in 3 installments, it can help you afford expensive tickets without draining your funds or going into debt. Just be sure to make the payments on time to avoid fees.
While Afterpay won’t work for every ticket seller yet, it’s widely available at major retailers like Ticketmaster. If you see the Afterpay logo during checkout, you can split your ticket purchase into manageable payments due every 2 weeks.
Overall, Afterpay offers a budget-friendly ticketing financing option to suit a variety of shoppers. It’s absolutely worth considering if you want to attend an event but can’t afford the full price all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afterpay safe to use for tickets?
Yes, Afterpay is very safe to use for ticket purchases. It is a legitimate service with encryption technology to protect your data. Afterpay simply acts as the payment processor at approved retailers. Once you complete checkout, you receive valid tickets just as you normally would.
Can I use Afterpay for airline tickets?
Some airlines may allow you to use Afterpay at checkout, but support is limited at this time. Check with the specific airline to see if Afterpay is offered as a payment option when booking flights through their website or app.
What if I miss an Afterpay payment for my tickets?
If you miss a payment, Afterpay will try for 3 days to process the charge from your chosen payment method. If still unsuccessful, a late fee of up to $10 may apply. Afterpay will pause your account until the amount is paid – you won’t be able to use it for new purchases.
Is there a limit to how many tickets I can buy with Afterpay?
Each retailer sets their own limits for Afterpay transaction amounts. The maximum is typically $1,000-$2,000. So you may be able to use Afterpay for multiple ticket purchases up to the total order maximum.
Can I return tickets purchased through Afterpay?
Yes, you can return tickets bought via Afterpay for a refund. However, your Afterpay account must be in good standing. If you have an outstanding balance due, the refund will go towards repaying that first.
What types of debit/credit cards can I use with Afterpay for tickets?
Afterpay accepts most major debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Prepaid debit cards also work in many cases, but Afterpay does not accept PayPal.
Is Afterpay cheaper than buying tickets outright?
No, Afterpay does not save you money on the base cost of tickets. You’ll repay the original full price over time. The main benefit is spreading out payments instead of one lump sum. Afterpay only becomes more expensive if you incur late fees from missing installments.
Afterpay Ticket Buying Tips
Here are some top tips for smoothly buying tickets with Afterpay:
- Double check dates and details before checkout to avoid needing a return.
- Factor in all 4 payments to ensure they fit your budget.
- Set payment reminders in your phone to avoid missing installments.
- Know the ticket seller’s refund policy in case you need to cancel.
- Log in to your Afterpay account periodically to check your balance.
- Contact Afterpay with any billing issues to avoid complications.
- Have a backup payment method added in case your initial card has problems.
Afterpay for Tickets: The Verdict
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Splitting up ticket purchases into 4 interest-free installments can make events more affordable and manageable. Afterpay provides flexibility to budget costs over time. Just be diligent about repaying on schedule to avoid complications.
For big ticket purchases you can’t pay for upfront, Afterpay delivers a simple financing solution. Especially when used carefully and intentionally, it can expand your options for attending concerts, games, and other events you love.