Expedia Group and Affirm have expanded their partnership, with Affirm set to become the exclusive buy now, pay later instalment payments provider for lodging and packages across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo in the US, alongside plans to extend availability to Canadian travellers on selected properties.
The companies described the agreement as multi-year. They said Canadian travellers will see Affirm appear on select Expedia Group properties in the coming weeks.
Affirm said eligible customers shopping for hotels and packages on Expedia, and for properties on Hotels.com and Vrbo, will receive a real-time approval decision at checkout. It said customers can select monthly payment plans of up to 24 months.
In the US, Affirm said eligible travellers can access 0% APR offers on three- or six-month plans. The company also said it does not charge late fees and does not apply compounding interest. It said customers see repayment terms upfront.
The move puts instalment payments more firmly into Expedia Group's checkout flow. Travel bookings often involve higher basket sizes than everyday retail purchases. That has made travel an active category for buy now, pay later firms, which pitch instalment credit as an alternative to revolving credit card balances.
Expedia Group said it is extending the relationship in North America. The companies also framed the agreement in the context of changes in trip planning and booking habits.
"Travel inspires us and creates memories; when travelers have clarity and confidence in selecting their payment options, they are empowered to pursue meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences," said Jing Yang, Vice President, Global Payments, Expedia Group.
Yang said the expanded partnership covers the US and would extend to Canada.
"By extending our partnership with Affirm in the US and soon Canada, we're giving more people the flexibility to plan their memorable adventures and choose payment options that work best for them," said Yang.
Exclusivity terms
The exclusivity applies to instalment payment methods for lodging and packages across Expedia Group's flagship US brands. Those brands include Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
Affirm and Expedia Group did not set out product-by-product detail for which Canadian properties will offer the payment option. They said it will appear on select properties first.
Buy now, pay later is already widely used in categories such as fashion and consumer electronics. Travel has added momentum over the past several years, as providers have sought larger transaction sizes and as travel firms have looked for additional payment options that sit alongside cards and digital wallets.
Affirm positions itself as a lender that discloses the total cost of credit at the point of purchase. It has also emphasised that it does not charge late fees. That approach differs from some other providers in the sector, which may use late fees or other charges depending on local rules and product structures.
Checkout shifts
Expedia Group said it continues to change how it presents trip planning tools. It pointed to the growing role of AI in discovery and itinerary building.
The companies said the checkout moment may appear in new parts of the booking experience as consumers use AI tools for discovery. They argued that payment choice and pricing transparency will feature more prominently as booking flows change.
Affirm said it has worked with Expedia Group for a decade. It said consumers increasingly consider payment methods as they plan trips.
"In our decade of partnering with Expedia Group, we've seen that travelers are increasingly including consideration of 'how to pay' with 'where to go' as they plan and book trips," said Pat Suh, SVP of Revenue, Affirm.
Suh linked that trend to product design at the checkout stage.
"As Expedia Group continues to innovate how people plan travel, we're focused on making sure the payment experience is just as seamless. Whatever your booking method, travelers should always have a clear, honest way to pay," said Suh.
Wider merchant base
Affirm said it works with nearly 420,000 merchants globally. It named Amazon, Costco, SeatGeek and Revolve among its partners.
The company said merchants use its instalment plans as a checkout option. It said this can affect conversion and average order value, alongside customer acquisition. Expedia Group did not disclose any commercial terms of the expanded agreement.
For Expedia Group, the partnership adds another payment method across core consumer brands. The group operates across consumer travel booking and a business-to-business segment that sells technology services to travel industry partners. The company also runs an advertising business linked to its travel media network.
Affirm said the Canadian rollout will begin on select properties in the coming weeks.