Laters.com Raises $1.5M Seed Round to Expand Flexible Travel Payments Beyond Cards

Laters.com, the payments-centric online travel agency formerly known as Fly Fairly, has secured US$1.5 million in seed funding led by XBO Ventures. By prioritizing cryptocurrency and buy now, pay later options over traditional card networks, the platform is challenging the legacy payment structures of the global aviation industry to capture a younger, digital-native demographic.

What was announced

Laters.com has completed a full rebrand from flyfairly.com and closed a $1.5 million seed round to fuel the expansion of its core business and the development of new product verticals. The Singapore-founded platform, which launched in August 2024, has achieved a run rate of over one million travelers annually and has been profitable since February 2025. While originating in Asia, the United States has emerged as its primary market.

The agency offers flights from more than 650 airlines, providing over 100 distinct payment methods. Notably, the platform’s payment volume is predominantly non-card, reversing the standard industry reliance on credit and debit networks. Customers can utilize more than 70 cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins, or select from approximately 40 buy now, pay later (BNPL) and installment providers such as Klarna, Afterpay, Zip, and Atome.

Data from the platform indicates that cryptocurrency users spend more than double the average customer, typically booking long-haul flights and premium cabin classes. To assist travelers in navigating the fragmented BNPL landscape, the company has launched the Laters.com Payment Score, which independently rates providers on interest rates and approval processes, alongside a country-specific guide for "fly now, pay later" options. The company maintains that no provider pays for ranking or placement, ensuring the scoring remains independent.

"Nobody should lose the fare they found because payday is two weeks away. Family, work, a wedding: some trips cannot wait. Laters.com fixes the price today and spreads the cost, so the people who plan ahead are not the ones who pay the most."

Alex Yardley, Founder and CEO of Laters.com.

The companies involved

Laters.com is led by Alex Yardley, who brings significant experience from major e-commerce and travel entities. Yardley previously served on the EMEA leadership team at eBay and was a Senior Director at Booking Holdings, where he managed partnerships for Agoda and Booking.com across the Asia Pacific region. Before founding the travel agency, he was the Managing Director at ShopBack.

The seed round was led by XBO Ventures, the investment arm of XBO.com. XBO.com operates as a global digital-asset platform designed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the crypto economy. The inclusion of BNPL giants like Klarna and Afterpay in the Laters.com ecosystem connects the agency to some of the most prominent names in alternative payments. Klarna, a Swedish fintech leader, has become a dominant force in the "pay later" space globally, while Afterpay, an Australian-founded firm, remains a key competitor in the North American and Oceanic markets. Atome, another partner mentioned, is a leading buy now, pay later brand in Southeast Asia, reflecting the platform's diverse regional payment integrations.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has extensively tracked the evolution of the buy now, pay later sector, particularly regarding market leader Klarna. Recent coverage includes Klarna Expands lululemon Partnership with In-Store Payments in UK and Germany and the platform's move into the entertainment sector via Klarna and Ticketmaster Launch BNPL for Live Events in Greece. We also highlighted shifting consumer sentiment in Klarna Survey: 87% of UK Consumers Say New BNPL Regulation Will Boost Trust. Additionally, our reporting has touched on the broader travel and e-commerce landscape through companies like Mollie and Guzco Partner to Automate Chargeback Defenses and Recover Lost Merchant Revenue, reflecting the ongoing pressure on merchants to optimize checkout experiences and recover revenue.

What this means

This announcement highlights a significant shift in the travel sector, where the "payment-first" model is beginning to outperform traditional booking engines. By successfully moving the majority of its volume away from card networks, Laters.com is demonstrating that the high-fee, legacy credit card system is no longer the default for high-value purchases like international airfare. The industry is under pressure to accommodate the spending habits of Gen Z and Millennial travelers who favor liquidity and alternative assets. The success of crypto-integrated checkouts suggests that digital assets are finally finding utility in high-ticket retail, potentially forcing established online travel agencies to reconsider their own payment stacks.