Emergency Travel Loans
| Best fit | Payday loan for one ticket; installment loan for flights plus lodging |
|---|---|
| Amounts via our network | $100–$5,000, by state and lender |
| Sample payday cost | $400 at $15 per $100: $60 fee, $460 to repay |
| Credit | All credit types considered |
| Funding | Often next business day |
| Cost to use our form | Free, no obligation |
Need to get there fast? Here's how to cover the trip
When a family member is in the hospital or someone you love has passed, the last thing you should have to worry about is how to pay for the flight. Last-minute fares, a rental car, a few nights in a hotel and meals on the road add up quickly, and they usually come due before your next paycheck. An emergency travel loan puts money in your checking account so you can book and go.
Our free form takes about 3 minutes. Many lenders in our network decide within minutes, and approved funds are often deposited the next business day. See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes.
What emergency travel costs can a loan cover?
Lenders generally let you use a personal or payday loan for any legal purpose, so one loan can cover the whole trip:
- Last-minute flights: one-way or round-trip tickets booked on short notice, plus checked bags and seat fees.
- Ground travel: gas for a long drive, a rental car, a bus or train ticket, or rideshares from the airport.
- Lodging: hotel or short-term rental nights near the hospital or family home.
- Funeral travel: getting to the service, and helping cover funeral costs once you arrive.
- Things at home: pet boarding, child care, or a missed shift while you're away.
- Getting back: a return ticket when plans change or you need to stay longer than expected.
Estimate the full trip before you apply, including the return, so you only need to apply once.
What to do first in a family travel emergency
- Confirm where you need to be and when. Find out the hospital, city or service date so you can book the right travel the first time.
- Price the trip. Check fares from nearby airports and compare driving costs. For long distances, a flight booked today is often still the fastest way to arrive.
- Ask the airline about bereavement or compassion fares. A few airlines offer flexible change policies or special fares for a death or serious illness in the family. Ask when you call, and have the family member's name and the hospital or funeral home details ready.
- Apply early on a weekday. Requests made early on a business day have the best chance at next-business-day funding. If you need to fly sooner, a credit card hold can secure the ticket while your loan covers the balance.
- Book and keep your confirmations. Save ticket and hotel receipts in one place in case plans change.
Which loan fits your trip?
- Payday loan: a quick match for a single plane ticket or a tank of gas and one hotel night that your next paycheck can cover. A sample $400 loan at $15 per $100 has a $60 fee, so you repay $460.
- Installment loan: a better fit for flights for more than one person, several nights of lodging, or travel combined with funeral or medical costs. You repay in fixed monthly payments, which helps if you also missed work while away.
If payday loans aren't available where you live, our form can still match you with installment lenders in your state. Enter the total you need, and lenders will show what they can offer.
Sample payments for emergency travel
| Amount | Term | Sample APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 6 months | 36% | $184.60 |
| $1,500 | 12 months | 36% | $150.69 |
| $2,000 | 12 months | 36% | $200.92 |
| $3,000 | 12 months | 36% | $301.39 |
These are examples, not offers. Your lender shows the exact APR and terms before you sign. If you'll be away from work for a while, choose a payment that still fits once you're back. Try your numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Traveling for a funeral or a sick family member
Funeral travel often comes with other costs: flowers, a contribution toward the service, or time off work. Many families use one loan for both the trip and their share of the arrangements. If you're helping pay for the service itself, see our guide to funeral loans. If a relative is in the hospital and you're helping with their bills, see medical emergency loans.
Ask your employer about bereavement or family leave before you go so you know whether your paycheck will be affected. Knowing your income for the next few weeks helps you pick a repayment schedule that's comfortable. Check your options now — the form is free.
Requirements and how to apply
- Be at least 18 (19 in a few states) and a U.S. resident
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Regular income from a job, benefits, self-employment or gig work
- An active checking account for the deposit and repayment
- A working phone number and email address
Many lenders in our network consider bad credit and focus on your income and bank account. Some use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull. You can apply from your phone, even from the airport or the road.
- Fill out the form in about 3 minutes.
- Get matched with lenders that serve your state.
- Review your offer, including the APR, payment schedule and total to repay.
- Accept and get funded, often the next business day.
Zebra Finance is a free loan-matching service, not a lender. Whether you get an offer, and for how much, is up to the lender and your state's rules. You are never obligated to accept. More fast-money help: emergency loans and same-day loans. Request your travel money now.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan for a last-minute flight?
Yes. Lenders generally allow personal and payday loans to be used for any legal purpose, including plane tickets, gas, rental cars and hotels. Through our network you can request $100 to $5,000. Our form takes about 3 minutes, many lenders decide within minutes, and approved funds are often deposited the next business day.
How fast can I get money for emergency travel?
Apply early on a business day for the best timing. Many lenders decide within minutes, and approved funds often arrive the next business day, sometimes the same day. If you must leave before funds land, a credit card or a relative can hold the ticket while your loan covers the cost.
Can I use a loan to travel to a funeral?
Yes. Many people use one loan for flights, lodging and their share of the service. Add up travel, hotel nights, meals and any contribution toward the arrangements, and request that total. If you're paying for the funeral itself, our funeral loans guide covers that in more detail.
Do airlines still offer bereavement fares?
A few airlines offer special fares or flexible change policies for a death or serious illness in the family, while many others do not. Policies change, so call the airline directly and ask. Compare any offer with the lowest regular fare, since a standard sale fare is sometimes cheaper.
Can I get an emergency travel loan with bad credit?
Often, yes. Many lenders in our network consider all credit types and focus on your income and checking account. Some use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull. Your credit may affect the amount and terms, and no lender can promise approval before reviewing your application.
Should I use a payday or installment loan for travel?
For one ticket or a short trip your next paycheck can cover, a payday loan is quick and simple. For several travelers, longer stays, or travel combined with funeral or medical costs, an installment loan spreads the cost over monthly payments. Compare the offers you receive before you sign.
Can I apply while I'm already traveling?
Yes. Our form works on your phone, so you can apply from the airport, a hotel or a relative's home. You'll need your ID, income details and checking account information. Approved funds go to your checking account, which you can use with your debit card wherever you are.
Sources
- CFPB — What is a payday loan?
- CFPB — What is a personal installment loan?
- eCFR — 12 CFR Part 1026 (Regulation Z, Truth in Lending disclosures)