Holidays don’t usually happen following years of planning. In fact, most holidays we take are at most a few months away and this often doesn’t give us much time to save up the requisite money. If you are planning to take a holiday but need some help covering the costs, consider a holiday loan.
These unsecured loans give you access to funds to purchase tickets, pay for accommodation or help with spending money and let you pay it off over an extended loan term.
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
- Borrow from $2,000
- 100% online
100% confidential application
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Apply today to get approved within minutes for up to $70,000.
- Max. loan amount: $70,000
- Loan term: Up to 60 months
- Turnaround time: 99% of approved online applications funded in 24 hours
- Fees: Establishment fee of $200 for loans from $2,000-$5,000 and $450 for loans from $5,000-$70,000
- No early repayment fees
- Personalised interest rates based on your circumstances
What products can I use as a holiday loan?
How do holiday loans work?
Holiday loans are personal loans that are flexible in the way you use the loan amount. Also referred to as unsecured personal loans, they give you access to as much as $70,000, and let you pay it back over a period that as long as seven years (NZCU provides a loan with a term of ten years). If you are looking to take a holiday but don’t have time to save up, then an unsecured personal loan might be a viable option.
Some providers offer loans specifically for travel and low-interest terms are available.
How much can I borrow?
This differs between providers, but ultimately you will only be approved for a loan the lender determines you can afford. Most unsecured personal loans are available for amounts between $1,000 and $70,000, but if the funds are used for a holiday, you may not be approved for the full amount.
Are there restrictions on how I use holiday loan funds?
As the loan is unsecured there are no restrictions as to how you use the funds (as long as they are legitimate). When you apply for a holiday loan, the lender will ask you to list how you plan to use the funds, usually by selecting options from a drop-down menu. “Holiday” or “travel” is usually one of the options.
How to compare holiday loans
- Fixed or variable interest rate.
A fixed rate allows you to lock in a specific rate for the life of your loan, whereas a variable rate loan may fluctuate. However, there are usually fewer restrictions with a variable rate loan, for example, you can usually repay the loan early without penalty or make additional repayments throughout the loan term. Fixed rate loans are generally for up to five years, whereas variable rate loans can be for as long as seven.
When calculating the cost of your repayments, you should take into account the interest rate you are charged as well as any ongoing account-keeping fees, as these contribute significantly to the cost of the loan. If you can afford higher repayments then this could reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of your loan. Using a repayment calculator can give you a good indication of your repayment amount.
Personal loans are usually over a minimum term of one year, but the maximum loan term depends on the loan you choose. When deciding on the repayment amount you can afford, you can adjust the loan term to make the repayments more affordable.
Take a look at the features on offer by some lenders and decide if you want to take advantage of them. You can then weigh up these features against the cost of the loan to determine their value. For example, some banks may offer cheaper travel insurance with the holiday loans as a package deal. It may be worth looking into this and comparing the costs with other insurance providers.
What should you consider before applying?
Before you apply for a holiday loan, determine the cost of your repayments and decide whether they are affordable. You should also ensure that the amount you’re borrowing is sufficient for your holiday and whether the loan term is manageable. Remember, you will likely have to make repayments while you are away, so make sure you budget and prepare for this.
How to apply for a holiday loan
To apply for an unsecured personal loan you should first compare your options.
Eligibility criteria differ between lenders, so check you meet these criteria before you apply. You also need to provide certain information when you apply. This may include personal details such as your name and address; financial details including your income; assets and debts and your employer’s name and contact details.
Picture: Shutterstock
Was this content helpful to you?
No
Yes
Matt Corke is the head of publishing in Australia for Finder. He previously worked as the publisher for credit cards, home loans, personal loans and credit scores. Matt built his first website in 1999 and has been building computers since he was in his early teens. In that time he has survived the dot-com crash and countless Google algorithm updates.
