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How to Pay for a Private Hot Air Balloon Ride

How to · Event

How to Pay for a Private Hot Air Balloon Ride

A $900 sunrise flight is a heavy lift for any budget. Here is how to break it into $60 monthly payments without paying extra in interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $900 before anything else
Across the 0% window $60.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $900 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

You are standing in a field at 5 a.m. watching a giant silk envelope fill with fire while the rest of the world sleeps. Private rides are better because you aren't bumping elbows with six strangers while you are trying to take in the view. These pilots book up months in advance for calm weekend sunrises, so we need to plan the money before the calendar fills up.

A $900 flight is a big hit to a checking account if you pay it all at once. We can use the Discover it® Cash Back to break that cost into $60 monthly payments. This works because of the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which is a set window where the bank does not charge you for carrying a balance.

If you still owe money on the card after those 15 months, the standard interest rate kicks in on whatever balance is left. This is not free money; it is a timed loan that gets very expensive the moment you miss the deadline.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your window

    Ballooning depends entirely on the weather, but pilots still need a deposit to hold your spot. Aim for a date three months out to get the best morning slots before they are gone.

  2. 02

    Vet the refund policy

    Since high winds can cancel a flight at the last minute, make sure your pilot offers a full refund or a clear reschedule path. Do not pay anyone who keeps your cash if the balloon stays grounded.

  3. 03

    Use the intro period

    Put the $900 cost on your Discover it® Cash Back to get the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This keeps your cash in your own pocket while you pay the ride off slowly.

  4. 04

    Automate the $60 payment

    Set up a recurring transfer of $60 every month to the card. If you stick to this schedule, the entire ride is paid for by the time your interest-free window closes.

  5. 05

    Budget for the crew tip

    Most people forget that ground crews and pilots expect a tip, usually 10% to 20% of the total. Budget an extra $100 to $150 in cash for the morning of the flight.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Is $900 a normal price for this?

For a private ride for two people, yes. You can find cheaper spots in a large group basket, but you will be sharing the space with five or six strangers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The pilot makes the final safety call about an hour before launch. If it is too windy to fly, they will usually move you to the next available morning or return your deposit.

Does the 0% interest start when I buy the flight?

No, it starts the day you open the card. If you wait several months to book the flight, you will have less time to pay it off at the 0% rate.

Should I pay the full $900 upfront?

Only if the pilot requires it. Many operators take a small deposit and the rest on the day of the flight, which gives you more flexibility if your plans change.