How to Pay for Winter Tires: Affirm Pay in 4, Credit Card or Debit

A set of winter tires on wheels is one of the bigger purchases most Mazda owners make in the fall, and it usually lands at the same time as holiday spending. The good news: there's a way to spread the cost without paying a cent of interest. Here's how the three common ways to pay compare.

Option 1: Affirm Pay in 4 at checkout

MazdaShop offers Affirm Pay in 4 on eligible orders. Your total is split into four equal payments: the first is due when you order, and the other three are taken automatically every two weeks.

• No interest on Pay in 4 with AutoPay turned on.
• No late or NSF fees from Affirm.
• The option appears at checkout when your basket meets the minimum order size, and it's subject to approval.

On a $1,200 tire and wheel package, for example, that's four payments of $300 over about six weeks.

Option 2: A credit card

A credit card works just as well, as long as you pay the full statement balance by the due date. Canadian credit cards give you at least 21 days without interest on new purchases when you pay in full, and you also earn your card's rewards.

Where cards get expensive is carrying a balance. At a typical 20.99% interest rate, paying off $1,200 over a year costs roughly $140 in interest. If you can't clear the balance quickly, an interest-free instalment plan is the cheaper choice.

Option 3: Debit

Simple and interest-free, and nothing to keep track of afterwards. The trade-off is that the whole amount leaves your account at once, and you won't earn credit card rewards on the purchase.

Which one should you choose?

• You'll pay it off in full this month: use a credit card and collect the rewards.
• You'd like to spread it over a few weeks: Affirm Pay in 4 keeps it interest-free.
• You'd carry a card balance for months: avoid that if you can; it's the most expensive option.

If you'd like a deeper comparison of instalment plans and credit cards, including what happens with longer plans that do charge interest, this guide from WalletReturn walks through the numbers: buy now, pay later vs credit card in Canada.

Two more ways to save on winter tires

• Ask your insurer about a winter tire discount. In Ontario, insurers are required to offer one, so a quick call can take a little off your premium for the season.
• Get a complete package. Tires already mounted on their own wheels make each seasonal changeover faster and cheaper, and save wear on your all-season wheels.

Ready to gear up? Browse our winter wheel and tire packages for your Mazda, or contact our team if you need help choosing the right fit.