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UpLift travel loans review
Last updated:
Travel now and pay later with this new lender.
- Best for borrowers looking to beat the high rates offered by travel credit cards.
- Pick something else if you want the benefit of credit card rewards.
$15,000
Max. Loan Amount
4.01% to 35.99%
APR
550
Min. Credit Score
Details
| Product Name | Uplift travel loans |
|---|---|
| Min. Loan Amount | $500 |
| Max. Loan Amount | $15,000 |
| APR | 4.01% to 35.99% |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
| Min. Credit Score | 550 |
| Loan Term | Up to 10.8 months |
Expert review
Review by
Kellye Guinan
kellye.guinan@findercrew.comKellye Guinan is a writer and editor with Finder and has years of experience in academic writing and research. Between her passion for books and her love of language, she works on creating stories and volunteering her time on worthy causes. She lives in the woods and likes to find new bug friends in between reading just a little too much nonfiction.
Expert review
UpLift is good for borrowers with good to excellent credit who are looking for an alternative to credit cards for their vacations. You can book your trip now and pay later. You only need to make a single down payment, and unlike some layaway programs, you won’t need to have your entire balance paid off before you travel.
You’re limited to booking travel through one of its eight partner sites, however. And your APR could be as high as 35.99% — which could cost you more than a credit card.
If you’re looking for more flexible financing for more than just a vacation, compare personal loans to see what other top lenders have to offer.
Is UpLift legit?
Yes, UpLift is a legit service that allows you to borrow for your vacation. It has a secure website and a privacy policy that covers how your information is collected and used. You can contact UpLift by phone or email, and it frequently responds to customer complaints on its BBB page.
How much will this loan cost me?
Uplift allows you to finance travel expenses ranging from $500 to $15,000. Its APR ranges from 4.01% to 35.99%, including a 2% origination fee. But you’ll still need to provide a down payment of around 11% to qualify for a loan.
Terms vary based on the travel provider you book with, but most have payment plans of up to 0.9 years.
How pricing works
Pricing is based on your credit score and the cost of your package, among other factors. While UpLift accepts borrowers with bad credit, you’re unlikely to qualify for a competitive rate. But if you have good to excellent credit, you may be able to score an APR close to its minimum of 4.01%, making it a much less expensive than most credit cards.
What sites does UpLift partner with?
UpLift works with a wide selection of flights, cruises, resorts and vacation packages, including:
- American Airlines Vacations
- Carnival Cruises
- Expedia Cruises
- Frontier
- Funjet Vacations
- Lufthansa
- Norwegian Cruises
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Southwest Vacations
- Spirit Airlines
- Spirit Vacations
- United Airlines
- United Airlines Vacations
- Universal Orlando Resort
- Vacation Express
- Vacatia
You can view Uplift’s full list of partners on its website.
What do I need to qualify?
To finance your next vacation with UpLift, you’ll need to meet a two basic criteria:
- Credit score of 550+
- Flight must originate in the US (if financing air travel)
What information do I need to apply?
You will need to submit your full Social Security number and annual income to complete an application. But because you won’t be applying directly through UpLift, the exact information you need will depend on the provider you use.
Pros and cons
UpLift is a convenient way to pay for your upcoming travel, but you’ll be stuck with a high APR if you only meet its minimum requirements.
- Travel during repayment
- Small loan amountso f $500 available
- Low starting APR of 4.01%
- 15-day grace period for late repayments
- High maximum APR of 35.99%
- Limited selection of travel partners
- Interest accrues immediately
- Down payment of 11% required
See other personal loan options
For other ways to finance your travel, compare lenders by selecting your credit score and state. Then click Show me my personalized options to view our selection of lenders.
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Does UpLift get good customer reviews?
Uplift receives mixed reviews on its BBB page. Many of the recent reviews talk positively about UpLift’s customer service and the ease of making travel plans. However, there are numerous negative reviews about UpLift’s poor response to the COVID-19 crisis, including the lack of full refunds for canceled trips.
How do I apply?
Since you don’t apply directly through UpLift, the application process varies depending on the travel provider you’re using. These are the basic steps:
- Visit UpLift’s website and click Find Partners.
- Click the flight, cruise, vacation package or report provider you’re interested in.
- Set up your travel plans through the provider.
- Select Uplift as your payment option on the checkout page.
- Provide information about yourself, including your annual income and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
You can also book directly from a provider’s website. If your trip is available to finance, you’ll see the option to pay with UpLift on the checkout page when you’re set to book your vacation.
What happens after I apply?
If you’re approved and want to accept the loan offer, you’ll need to enter your full Social Security number and payment information. UpLift will do a hard pull of your credit to determine final approval.
How do repayments work with UpLift?
Interest starts to accrue as soon as you receive your financing. Monthly payments are automatically withdrawn from the debit or credit card you have on file — and UpLift sends you both email and text reminders before each withdrawal. UpLift also allows you to make manual payments on its website by signing in to your account.
If you know you won’t be able to make a payment, notify UpLift at least three days before the due date to request a 15-day grace period to prevent a late payment. Payments more than 30 days late may be reported, which could damage your credit.
Not sure UpLift is right for you? Check out our guide to financing your vacation or compare more personal loan options to pay for your next trip.
Frequently asked questions
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