First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has teamed up with travel agency 247 Travels to introduce “Book Now, Fly Later,” a financing product aimed at making international trips easier for Nigerians to plan and afford. Eligible customers can borrow for airline tickets and repay the loan over a period of three to nine months, with the bank positioning the offer as a way to reduce the pressure of paying the full ticket cost upfront.
Quick facts
- FCMB and 247 Travels launched the “Book Now, Fly Later” financing programme.
- Eligible customers may borrow up to ₦10 million for international flight tickets.
- Repayment terms run from three to nine months.
- The facility is designed for business, education, healthcare, tourism and family travel needs.
- Financing is available only for airline tickets bought through 247 Travels.
- FCMB says approved applicants should receive approval and disbursement within 24 working hours.
The initiative is built around FCMB Premium Banking and is restricted to airline tickets purchased through 247 Travels. The bank said salaried and self-employed customers can apply, provided they satisfy FCMB’s eligibility requirements for the programme.
FCMB expects the product to meet rising demand for instalment-style financing linked to international travel. The partnership blends FCMB’s lending capabilities with 247 Travels’ ticketing and booking services, offering a payment pathway that is intended to be more flexible for customers managing travel expenses.
FCMB Managing Director Yemisi Edun said the bank’s goal is to enable customers to pursue their plans without unnecessary financial strain. She described the solution as a means of improving affordability and accessibility for travel, while also giving customers room to manage their finances responsibly over time.
Edun added that the programme fits with FCMB’s broader strategy focused on inclusive growth through innovation and partnerships. She said the bank will continue to develop products and collaborate with partners to make financial decision-making simpler and to create value for customers.
Reducing upfront ticket costs
For 247 Travels, the key issue is the challenge travellers face when required to pay the entire airfare upfront. Tunji Adeyemi, Managing Director of 247 Travels, said the programme responds to what travellers increasingly look for—flexibility and convenience—by letting customers secure flights and spread the cost over time through the FCMB partnership.
Opeyemi Makinwa, FCMB’s Group Head of Premium Banking, said the product reflects the bank’s attention to lifestyle-focused offerings supported by strategic partnerships. He noted that customers expect financial services that fit naturally into their lives, and that “Book Now, Fly Later” is designed to provide both greater flexibility and more control over finances.
Customers can submit applications through FCMB’s “Book Now, Fly Later” platform or via the 247 Travels website. The process involves selecting a preferred flight, completing a financing request, and waiting for approval; if approved, the loan is disbursed and the ticket is issued through 247 Travels.
FCMB said the launch extends its “book now, fly later” payment concept into international air travel, giving Nigerians another option to fund trips for both personal and professional reasons. The programme is available only for tickets purchased through 247 Travels, with the bank stating that disbursement and approval are expected within 24 working hours for successful applicants.
