You can ask Affirm to delay a payment, but only before the due date and only once per loan
Affirm lets you push back a single payment by up to two weeks if you contact them before that payment is due. This is called a payment deferral. When you defer, Affirm moves your payment date forward, and you do not owe a fee or extra interest for doing it — the cost of your purchase stays the same.
The catch is that you can only defer once per loan, and you have to ask before the payment date arrives. If you miss a payment by accident, that is different from asking ahead of time, and it will hurt your credit score. If you know you need breathing room, contact Affirm through the app or website as soon as you realize it.
Key Takeaways
- You can delay one payment per Affirm loan by up to two weeks if you request it before the due date.
- Deferring a payment does not add fees, interest, or extra cost to your purchase.
- You can only defer once per loan, so use this option carefully if you have multiple Affirm purchases.
- Missing a payment without asking first will show up on your credit report and may trigger late fees.
- After you defer, the new payment date appears in your Affirm account, and you can set a reminder so you do not forget the new date.
How to request a payment deferral through the Affirm app
Open the Affirm app and go to the "Pay" or "Payments" tab. Find the loan you want to defer — it will show your next payment amount and due date. Tap on that loan, and you should see an option that says "Defer payment" or "Reschedule payment." Tap it, and Affirm will show you the new date your payment will be due (usually 14 days later). Confirm the deferral, and you are done.
The app will send you a confirmation, and your account will update right away to show the new due date. Set a phone reminder for the new date so you do not accidentally miss it — you cannot defer twice on the same loan.
What happens if you cannot defer or need more help
If the deferral option does not appear in your app, it may mean you have already used your one deferral on that loan, or the payment is due within the next day or two and Affirm's system will not let you defer so close to the date. In either case, you can contact Affirm's customer service through the app or at 1-844-234-7346 to explain your situation.
Affirm customer service can sometimes work out other options if you are in a real bind — for example, they may be able to adjust your payment plan or discuss what happens if you cannot pay on time. They cannot erase a payment or make it disappear, but they can tell you what your choices are before you miss a due date. Calling before the payment is due is much better than calling after.
The difference between deferring and missing a payment
A deferral is something you ask for ahead of time. Affirm approves it, moves your date, and nothing negative happens to your credit. A missed payment is when the due date passes and you have not paid. Affirm will report this to the credit bureaus, and it will show up on your credit report as a late payment. This can lower your credit score and make it harder to borrow money in the future.
If you miss a payment by accident, contact Affirm right away. Paying within a few days may limit the damage, but the late payment will still be reported. If you know you are going to be short, deferring is always the better move — it costs you nothing and keeps your credit clean.
When deferral makes sense and when it does not
A deferral is useful if you have a temporary cash shortage — you get paid in two weeks, or you are waiting for a refund, or an unexpected expense came up. You push the payment back, and when the new date arrives, you have the money. This is exactly what the feature is for.
A deferral is not a solution if you do not think you will have the money two weeks from now either. If you are in a longer financial squeeze, deferring just delays the problem. In that case, contact Affirm to talk about changing your payment plan or other options. Some Affirm loans let you extend the payment schedule, which spreads the cost over more months and lowers each payment — but this usually means paying more interest overall.
What to do if you have multiple Affirm loans
Each Affirm loan has its own deferral — you get one per purchase, not one total. So if you have three active Affirm loans, you can defer one payment on each of them. Keep track of which ones you have already deferred, because once you use your deferral on a loan, you cannot defer that same loan again.
If you have multiple payments coming due around the same time and you are short on cash, you might defer the one with the highest payment or the one due soonest. Write down the new dates so you do not lose track of when each payment is actually due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deferring a payment cost money or add interest?
No. Deferring does not add fees, interest, or any extra cost. Your total purchase price stays the same, and you straightforward pay on a later date. The only thing that changes is when the payment is due.
Can I defer a payment more than once on the same loan?
No, you get one deferral per loan. After you use it, you cannot defer that loan again. If you need to delay a second time, contact Affirm customer service to discuss other options.
What if I defer a payment and then still cannot pay on the new date?
Contact Affirm before the new due date. Explain your situation and ask what options are available. Missing the deferred payment will be reported as a late payment to the credit bureaus, so calling ahead is important.
Can I defer a payment if it is already late?
No, deferral is only for payments that are not yet due. If you have already missed a payment, contact Affirm customer service right away. They may be able to help, but the late payment will likely still be reported.
How do I know if I have already used my deferral on a loan?
Open the Affirm app and look at the loan. If the "Defer payment" button is gone or grayed out, you have already deferred that loan once. You can also contact Affirm customer service to confirm.