Quick answer: Reserve Now, Pay Later lets you book most Viator tours without paying upfront. You get a confirmed reservation, your card is charged automatically two days before the activity, and if you cancel before that point you are never charged at all. You can reserve up to four months ahead. It costs nothing extra, requires a valid card at booking, and after the charge the tour’s normal cancellation policy applies (usually free up to 24 hours before). It is the best way to lock in popular tours and day trips early — especially ones that sell out — while keeping your money until the last moment.
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How It Works, Step by Step
On a listing that supports it, the checkout shows two options: Pay now or Reserve now, pay later. Choose the latter, enter your card details as usual and confirm. Viator checks the card is valid but does not charge it. Your booking appears in the app as confirmed, with a note showing the date the payment will be taken — two days before the start. On that date the card is charged the full amount and you receive a receipt. If the card fails (expired, declined), Viator emails you to update it; if it is not fixed in time the reservation can be cancelled, so keep the card current.
Top-Rated Iceland Tours & Experiences on Viator
Which Tours Offer It
Viator says the option is available on most of its 300,000+ experiences. It is common on guided tours, day trips and activities; it is typically not offered on products that need immediate ticket issue (some attraction tickets, shows), on “on request” bookings, or on tours starting within the next couple of days (there would be nothing to defer). The checkout simply won’t show the option if the product doesn’t support it. You can filter for it in some searches, but the reliable check is the checkout page.
Cancelling a Reserve Now, Pay Later Booking
Before the charge date: cancel from Bookings (how) and nothing is ever taken from your card — there is no fee or penalty. After the charge date: the tour’s cancellation policy applies as normal. For a Standard-policy tour that means a full refund if you cancel more than 24 hours before the start; the charge is taken two days before, so you still have roughly a day of free-cancellation window after being charged. For stricter or All Sales Final products, the charge date may fall after the cancellation deadline, so read the policy (explained here).
Smart Ways to Use It
Lock in sell-outs early. Northern-lights tours, Blue Lagoon slots, Alhambra and Vatican guided visits, peak-season day trips: reserve months ahead at no cost, and you have a confirmed spot while you finish planning.
Hold two options while you decide. Reserve a morning and an afternoon tour on the same day, then cancel one before the charge date. Be considerate — cancel as soon as you have decided, because you are holding a seat someone else may want.
Combine with price alerts. Wishlist the tour; if the price drops before the charge date, cancel and rebook at the lower price. See promo codes and deals.
Spread the cost of a big trip. With four or five reservations charged two days before each activity, the spend lands during the trip rather than as one lump months before.
Things to Watch
The card on file must be valid on the charge date — a card expiring next month will fail. Card-linked cashback offers are triggered on the charge date, not the booking date, so make sure the offer is still active then. Viator Rewards, where earned, are based on the completed booking and unaffected. Exchange rates are applied on the charge date if you pay in a foreign currency. And remember the charge happens two days before, not on the day: if you meant to cancel the night before, you will have been charged, though the 24-hour free-cancellation window usually still gets you a refund.
Reserve Now, Pay Later vs Paying Now
There is no price difference and no fee either way. Pay now if you prefer to have everything settled, want a card offer that requires payment today, or are booking a product without the option. Reserve now, pay later for anything you are not 100% certain about, anything likely to sell out, or any trip where cash flow matters. There is no downside to choosing it when it is offered.
How It Compares Elsewhere
GetYourGuide offers a similar feature, charging 72 hours before. Klook and Tiqets generally charge at booking. This is one of the reasons Viator and GetYourGuide are our default recommendations for planning-heavy trips — see Viator vs GetYourGuide. Planning Iceland? Our picks for Reykjavik are a good place to reserve early.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Viator charge my card with Reserve Now Pay Later?
Automatically two days before the activity starts. You receive a receipt by email when the charge is made.
Is there a fee for Reserve Now Pay Later?
No. The price is the same as paying upfront and there is no fee for deferring payment.
How far in advance can I reserve?
Up to four months before the activity date.
Can I cancel a Reserve Now Pay Later booking for free?
Yes, before the charge date nothing is taken. After the charge, the tour’s normal cancellation policy applies — usually a full refund if cancelled more than 24 hours before.
What if my card is declined on the charge date?
Viator emails you to update the card. If it is not updated in time the reservation may be cancelled, so keep a valid card on file.
Do all Viator tours offer Reserve Now Pay Later?
Most do, but some tickets, shows, on-request bookings and last-minute departures don’t. The option appears at checkout only when the product supports it.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
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