U-Haul offers payment plans through Affirm, a third-party lender, but only for rentals booked online and paid in full upfront—not for in-store rentals or one-way moves
U-Haul does not run its own payment plan program. Instead, when you book a truck or trailer rental on uhaul.com, you see Affirm as a checkout option alongside credit cards and debit cards. Affirm splits your rental cost into installments—typically three, six, or twelve months—with interest rates that vary based on your credit profile and the loan term you choose. The catch: you must complete your entire booking and see the final price before Affirm appears as an option, and Affirm is only available for online bookings paid upfront, not for reservations made by phone or at a U-Haul location.
If you rent at a U-Haul store in person, you cannot use Affirm. The same applies to one-way rentals, which U-Haul handles differently and does not currently offer through Affirm. Your only payment options at the counter are cash, debit card, or credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Affirm is the only payment plan option U-Haul offers, and it appears only during online checkout after your rental is fully priced.
- Affirm loan terms range from three to twelve months, and your interest rate depends on your credit score and the term length you select.
- Payment plans are not available for in-store rentals, phone bookings, or one-way moves—only for standard online truck and trailer reservations.
- U-Haul charges the full rental amount to Affirm immediately, so you must may have access to for the total cost, not just the first installment.
How Affirm calculates your monthly payment
When you select Affirm at checkout, you enter your personal and financial information, and Affirm makes an instant credit decision. The lender then shows you the exact monthly payment amount and total interest cost before you confirm the loan. For example, a $1,200 rental split over six months might cost $205 per month with interest, depending on your credit tier. A twelve-month plan spreads the same $1,200 over more months, lowering each payment but increasing total interest paid.
Affirm does not charge U-Haul customers an origination fee or prepayment penalty. However, if you miss a payment, Affirm reports the delinquency to credit bureaus and may charge late fees—typically $10 to $25 per missed payment, though this varies. Affirm also reserves the right to pursue collection action if payments remain unpaid for an extended period.
What happens if you need to cancel or modify your rental
If you cancel your U-Haul rental after Affirm has funded the loan, you still owe the full amount to Affirm—U-Haul's cancellation policy does not override your loan obligation. U-Haul may refund part of your rental fee if you cancel within a certain window (policies vary by location and rental type), but Affirm will not automatically cancel the loan. You must contact Affirm directly to discuss your options, and the lender may require you to pay the loan in full or continue making installments even if U-Haul refunds your rental.
If you need to extend your rental or change your pickup date after booking with Affirm, contact U-Haul first to modify the reservation. If the new total is higher, you may need to pay the difference upfront or arrange a separate payment. If the new total is lower, U-Haul will refund the difference, but again, your Affirm loan remains in place for the original amount unless you formally cancel it.
Comparing Affirm to paying with a credit card
The main advantage of Affirm over a credit card is that you know your exact monthly payment and total interest cost upfront—no variable interest rates or surprise charges. Affirm also does not require a credit card to use, so if you do not have one, it may be your only installment option. However, Affirm typically charges higher interest rates than a rewards credit card would, especially if your credit score is below 700.
If you have a credit card with a 0% introductory APR period, paying the full rental upfront with that card and then paying off the card during the promo period will almost always cost less than Affirm. You also earn rewards points on a credit card, whereas Affirm offers no rewards. The trade-off is that Affirm lets you spread payments over time without needing a credit card or a large available credit limit.
When Affirm approval is denied or the rate is too high
Affirm makes credit decisions in seconds, and if you are denied, you will see that message before your booking is complete. Denial usually means Affirm's algorithm flagged your credit profile as too risky for a loan. You can still complete your U-Haul booking by selecting a different payment method—credit card, debit card, or cash.
If Affirm approves you but the interest rate is higher than you expected, you can decline the loan and pay with another method. There is no penalty for declining Affirm at checkout. Some customers are approved for shorter terms (three or six months) at lower rates but denied for longer terms; in that case, you can choose the shorter term if it fits your budget, or use a credit card instead.
How to use Affirm when booking a U-Haul rental
Start by visiting uhaul.com and entering your rental location, dates, and truck or trailer size. Complete the entire booking process until you reach the payment screen. At that point, you will see Affirm listed as a payment option alongside credit and debit cards. Click on Affirm, and you will be redirected to Affirm's site to enter your name, email, phone number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Affirm will also ask for your annual income and current employment status.
After you submit that information, Affirm displays your loan terms and monthly payment. Review the amount, term length, and total interest cost. If you agree, click "Confirm" and you will be returned to U-Haul to complete your booking. Affirm then funds the loan, and U-Haul charges the full rental amount. You will receive a confirmation email from both U-Haul and Affirm with your rental details and loan payment schedule.
What to do if you have a problem with your Affirm loan
If you believe Affirm charged you incorrectly, made an error on your loan terms, or you want to dispute a late fee, contact Affirm directly through the Affirm app or website—do not contact U-Haul, as they do not manage the loan. Affirm has a dispute process and may reverse charges if you can show an error. If Affirm denies your dispute, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov.
If your issue is with the U-Haul rental itself—for example, you were charged extra fees or the truck was damaged—contact U-Haul customer service. However, U-Haul cannot cancel or modify your Affirm loan; only Affirm can do that. Make sure you understand which company is responsible for your problem before reaching out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Affirm for a one-way U-Haul rental?
No. Affirm is currently only available for standard point-to-point rentals booked online. One-way moves, which involve different pricing and logistics, do not offer Affirm as a payment option. You must pay with a credit card, debit card, or cash.
What is the longest payment plan U-Haul offers through Affirm?
Affirm typically offers terms up to twelve months for U-Haul rentals, though the exact terms available depend on your credit profile and the rental cost. Shorter terms (three or six months) are more commonly approved and often carry lower interest rates.
If I pay off my Affirm loan early, do I owe interest for the full term?
No. Affirm calculates interest daily, so if you pay off your loan early, you pay less total interest than if you made all twelve payments. There is no prepayment penalty. Contact Affirm to arrange an early payoff and confirm the exact amount owed.
Does U-Haul offer any other payment plans besides Affirm?
U-Haul does not offer its own payment plan or financing program. Affirm is the only third-party installment lender available at checkout. Some U-Haul locations may accept other payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay, but these are not installment plans—they charge the full amount immediately.
What happens to my Affirm loan if U-Haul goes out of business?
Your loan is between you and Affirm, not between you and U-Haul. Even if U-Haul closed, you would still owe Affirm the full loan amount. Affirm would continue to collect payments according to your loan agreement.