Can salon clients pay with Afterpay or buy now, pay later?
Yes — salon clients can use Afterpay (or Clearpay in the UK) to pay for deposits, gift cards, and prepaid packages. The salon receives the full amount upfront, and Afterpay handles the instalment collection from the client. It is available in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, and the UK.
What is Afterpay?
Afterpay is a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service that lets clients split a purchase into four interest-free instalments. The client pays the first quarter at checkout and the remaining three over six weeks. The business receives the full amount immediately — Afterpay takes on the credit risk and handles collections. In the UK, the service operates under the name Clearpay.
- Clients pay in four interest-free instalments over six weeks
- The salon receives the full payment upfront — no waiting for instalments
- No interest charged to the client (late fees apply for missed payments)
- Afterpay assumes the credit risk — the salon is not affected if a client defaults
Where it works in salon software
Afterpay is available through Stripe as a payment method, which means it appears wherever your salon software uses Stripe for online payments. In Bella Booking, this covers three key areas:
Deposits
When a client books online and a deposit is required, Afterpay appears as a payment option alongside card and digital wallet. The client splits the deposit into four payments, and the salon receives the full deposit amount immediately. This is particularly useful for higher-value services where the deposit itself might be a barrier.
Gift cards
Clients purchasing gift cards online can use Afterpay to spread the cost. This is especially relevant for high-value gift cards — a $200 gift card becomes four payments of $50, making it a more accessible purchase. The salon receives the full $200 upfront.
Prepaid packages
Clients buying prepaid service packages (e.g. a bundle of five blow-dry appointments) can use Afterpay at checkout. Since packages often represent a larger upfront commitment, BNPL can increase conversion by lowering the perceived cost.
Eligible countries
| Country | Service name | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Afterpay | AUD |
| New Zealand | Afterpay | NZD |
| United States | Afterpay | USD |
| Canada | Afterpay | CAD |
| United Kingdom | Clearpay | GBP |
Afterpay availability depends on your Stripe account being configured in one of these countries. If your salon operates in an eligible country and uses Stripe for payments, Afterpay can be enabled as an additional payment method.
How it works for the business
The most important thing to understand is that the salon is paid in full immediately. You are not extending credit to the client — Afterpay is. From your perspective, an Afterpay payment looks almost identical to a card payment in your transaction history.
- 1Client selects Afterpay at checkout (deposit, gift card, or package)
- 2Client completes the Afterpay approval flow (account login, instalment confirmation)
- 3Afterpay pays the full amount to your Stripe account
- 4The transaction appears in your Stripe dashboard and salon reports like any other payment
- 5Afterpay collects the four instalments from the client over six weeks
Processing fees
Afterpay transactions have higher processing fees than standard card payments — typically around 4-6% plus a fixed fee, compared to the usual 1.5-3% for cards. This is because Afterpay assumes the credit risk and handles collections. The exact rate depends on your Stripe agreement and transaction volume.
If you enable the option to pass processing fees to clients, the higher Afterpay fee is passed through as well. This means you receive your full service price regardless of the payment method the client chooses. Clients see the fee at checkout before they confirm.
What Afterpay does NOT cover
Afterpay is available for online payment flows processed through Stripe. It does not cover every payment scenario in a salon:
- Tips — digital tips are processed as a separate, smaller transaction and Afterpay is not available for tip payments
- Card on File charges — when you charge a saved card at checkout, the payment uses the stored card method, not Afterpay
- In-person terminal payments — EFTPOS and card terminal transactions go through the terminal's processor, not the Stripe online flow
- Manual payments — cash, bank transfer, and other manually recorded payments are outside the Stripe ecosystem
Afterpay has minimum and maximum transaction limits that vary by country (typically $1-$2,000 AUD). Deposits or packages outside this range will not show Afterpay as an option. Check Afterpay's current limits for your country.
Should you offer Afterpay?
The decision comes down to your client base and average transaction value. If your clients regularly purchase gift cards, packages, or services with deposits over $50, Afterpay removes a friction point and can increase conversion. If your average deposit is $20, the value is minimal and the higher processing fee may not justify it.
When it makes the most difference
High-value gift cards (holidays, birthdays), prepaid packages (especially 10-session bundles), and deposits for premium services (balayage, extensions, bridal). These are the transactions where "pay in four" meaningfully changes the client's willingness to commit.
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