Australian travel to Bali: What to consider when taking out a holiday loan

For the first time in years, Aussies can jump on a plane and head off to Bali. 

A go-to pre-pandemic holiday destination, 1.2 million Australians visited Bali in 2019, more than any other nationality in the world. So, undoubtedly, many are champing at the bit to get back to Bali’s beaches.

And, while some may have the savings to back up an adventure to the Indonesian paradise, for others, covering the cost may seem like a little more of a stretch.

That’s where a personal loan might help you, as an alternative to something like a credit card. 

Why not put my holiday on my credit card?

While a credit card may give you more flexibility when it comes to the potential cost of a trip, a personal loan may end up saving you considerable money in interest.

Currently on the Mozo database, the average secured personal loan rate sits at 7.57% and the average unsecured personal loan rate is 9.53%. Contrastingly, the average credit card rate is 16.98%.

How much can I borrow with a holiday loan?

Depending on the lender, you may be eligible to borrow thousands of dollars for your holiday. According to the Mozo database, personal loan borrowing amounts currently range from $500 to $80,000.

That said, while you may be eligible to borrow a high amount, it’s not a good idea just to borrow for the sake of borrowing. Make sure you only borrow what you need to cover the cost of your vacation.

How to find the right personal loan for your trip - 3 easy steps

There are plenty of choices when it comes to finding the right personal loan for your Bali holiday.

With that in mind, here are three easy steps you can take to help you find a loan that works for your dream holiday and your budget.

Step 1: Know your numbers

There are two sets of numbers that you need to really get to grips with when it comes to funding your holiday with a personal loan:

• The cost of the holiday

• Budgeting your repayments

To begin, it’s important to be realistic about how much you want your trip to cost. Are you planning to crash at a hostel or do you want the amenities of a five star resort? Whatever you have in mind, tally up the large and small costs you’re likely hit along the way - flights, accommodation, food, activities etc. This will give you a good idea of how much you need to borrow.

This brings us to the second set of numbers that need to be crunched: the holiday loan itself. In Addition to calculating the loan amount, you also need to account for your repayments.

It’s key to weigh up loan terms and repayment schedule (weekly, fortnightly or monthly), as these will impact how much interest you pay over the life of the loan.

To make things easy, check out the Mozo Personal Loan Repayment Calculator.

Step 2: Decide on loan features

Once you have settled on an amount you are wanting to borrow and can afford, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty.

In addition to a manageable interest rate on your personal loan, you’ll also want to consider if the available features work for you.

For example, a loan with extra repayments can be handy because if you happen to have a little surplus in your monthly budget, you can put it towards paying down your loan balance with no additional charges.

And a redraw facility is also a good loan feature, as it gives you the flexibility to redraw on your extra repayments in case you need later that extra cash down the track.

Step 3: Apply for the loan

Have you found a loan with all the features you’re looking for? Time to lodge an application.

One of the best ways to successfully apply for a personal loan is to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria before applying. Generally, these can include:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Hold Australian citizenship or an eligible visa and reside in Australia.

• Meet minimum income requirements

• Pass a credit check

In order to put yourself in the best position to be approved, you should also prepare for your credit history to be closely analysed by lenders. You’ll want to have your credit score in tip-top shape in order to put your best foot forward.

Of course, every lender also has their own set of criteria, so to give yourself the best chance of being approved, be sure to double-check that you meet the requirements of the specific loan you are applying for.

Before heading out on your dream Bali vacation, check out everything you need to know about Bali travel insurance.

Ready to start comparing holiday loans? Check out the killer options below or head to our personal loan comparison page for more!