Multiple companies are offering interest-free finance deals to jetsetters who are unable to pay for their holidays upfront. Picture: Supplied. Source: ThinkStock

Multiple holiday companies including Escape Travel, myholidaycentre.com.au and Cruise Megastore offer interest-free deals on getaways to countries including Fiji, Hawaii, Bali, Vanuatu, the US, Thailand and locally Queensland.

The interest-free honeymoon deals — which in some cases have stretched to their longest-ever period of 18 months, allow holiday-makers to book packages including flights and accommodation without paying for the trip until they return.

Interest-free deals as long as 18 months are available to Australians who can’t pay for a holiday upfront. Picture: Supplied. Source: News Limited

Experts warn once the interest-free period expires on these deals customers can be slugged with interest rates well above 20 per cent.

But Escape Travel general manager Darren Lloyd said the interest-free deals apply to holidays starting from $999 and said they always made sure customers could afford the finance repayments before signing up.

“Our consultants take great care in explaining the process to our customers before they sign to ensure the terms are understood,’’ he said.

“Holiday finance provides travellers with up to nine months of breathing space to pay off their trip while getting on with life.”

Consumer finance expert Lisa Montgomery said putting a holiday on an interest-free deal can be more trouble than it’s worth. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

Interest-free finance deals are more commonly associated with consumers buying furniture and whitegoods but have extended to the holiday market in recent years.

Consumer finance expert Lisa Montgomery warned of the dangers of signing up to interest-free finance and urged consumers to save up before going away on holiday.

“Whether it’s a holiday, whitegoods or furniture, getting it now and paying for it later is one of those things that can give you more difficulty than pleasure,’’ she said.

“There are obviously people who aspire to going away on holidays and can’t afford it, you are better off to save up the money and have the holiday you can afford.”

Shadford Financial Group’s John Barton said interest-free deals were “outrageously dangerous” and could result in people paying for their holiday many times over.

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