Vegas Now, Pay Later: Flexible Payment Plans for Casino Vacations

^{Flexible payment plans are available throughout Las Vegas for indulgences such as helicopter tours above the Vegas Strip. (Image: Maverick Helicopters on X)}

Buy now, pay later plans are an increasingly popular way to break purchases into multiple payments. This allows buyers to purchase and use an expensive item as soon as possible and pay for it over time. According to The Motley Fool, 55% of people who use a flexible payment plan buy things they wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

Flexible payment plans have grown in popularity over the past few years. The report says 14% of Americans are using these plans. According to the report, 54% of users prefer them to credit cards.

Millennials and members of Generation Z have gravitated toward these plans for large purchases, ranging from furniture to travel and entertainment. Buyers can pay a small portion of the total price upfront and cover the remainder in multiple installments.

Billboard recently reported that about 60% of Coachella general admission tickets were purchased using a payment plan. Tickets for the weekend music festival cost $600. The magazine estimated that attendees would spend more than $1,000 on lodging, meals and other expenses.

If the concept sounds familiar, it’s because it’s somewhat similar to layaway plans that were popular in the 1980s. The biggest difference is that flexible payment plans allow customers to receive goods or services immediately, rather than waiting until the balance is paid off, as with a layaway plan.

These payment plans aren’t freebies — many providers charge a fee for the service. Always check the terms before choosing a payment plan. Several companies offer different terms. Some providers charge a fee upfront, while others only collect a fee for late or missed payments.

Thousands of online retailers offer payment plans, and now visitors can book most of their Las Vegas vacation using one. Travelers can use flexible payment plans for hotels, concerts, special events and more — all of which can make up a significant portion of a Vegas trip.

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the majority of casino revenue in all parts of Las Vegas last year came from non-gaming spending.

Buy Now, Pay Later in Las Vegas

Flexible payment plans are now available for booking most aspects of a Las Vegas vacation. Visitors can pay for transportation to and from the city, lodging, and a variety of daytime and nighttime activities using these plans.

Travelers can book a flight, hotel and rental car package through Expedia, with a buy now, pay later interest rate of 15%. Payments can be spread over six, 18 or 24 months.

A hotel and airfare package that costs $2,000 upfront would total approximately $2,150, $2,300 or $2,600, depending on the chosen plan. Monthly payments would be about $358.33, $127.78 or $108.33, respectively. While the final cost may be lower than using a credit card, it’s still more expensive than paying in full at the time of booking.

Just about every large event has a flexible payment option. 

Since the first Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023, visitors have complained about ticket prices. This year, F1 is offering payment plans for some tickets for those who don’t want to pay for race tickets all at once. 

Flex Payment Options Expanding

Ticketmaster offers a flex payment plan so buyers can spread out payments for tickets to events with ridiculous fees over time. While figures weren’t yet available for Wrestlemania, ticket buyers could use the plan to cover the high price of tickets that started well over $100 for an upper deck seat with an obstructed view. Anecdotally, plenty were skipping seeing the event in person for one of the many Wrestlemania watch parties. 

MGM Resorts uses Sezzle for its flex payment plans for guests. Unlike Expedia, visitors can choose to make four payments without paying an additional interest rate. While other Las Vegas hotels offer flex payment plans, they typically have an additional interest rate. 

Vegas dot com allows guests to build a Vegas-specific package with shows, clubs, tours, and other attractions. Customers go through a credit check and will pay a fee based on the information. We reached out to the website for comment about the popularity of this option and haven’t heard back.

These flex payment options cover many of the larger expenses for a trip to Las Vegas. Some restaurants might also offer flex payment for large meals. Spending money on gambling is still the same as usual.

Doordash recently partnered with a flex payment company. Customers can now pay for delivered meals and various products over multiple installments. Business travelers in Las Vegas for multi-day conventions sometimes use the service to stock up on items at much less expensive prices than casino gift shops.

Flexible payment plans aren’t for everyone, but they offer an option for younger travelers who may not have the disposable income to cover a Las Vegas vacation all at once.