Airbnb is giving U.S. travelers more flexibility when planning their next trip with a new “reserve now, pay later” option. The feature lets guests lock in a stay without paying anything at the time of booking.
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Instead, payment is due before the end of the stay’s free cancellation period, ensuring hosts still have time to rebook if plans change. The option is only available for stays with moderate or flexible cancellation policies, and certain costs, like travel insurance, climate contributions, or other add-ons, must still be paid upfront.
This update goes a step further than Airbnb’s existing “pay part now, pay later” feature, which allowed guests to split the cost between checkout and check-in. Now, there’s no initial payment required at all.
Airbnb already supports buy now, pay later through Klarna, giving users more control over how and when they pay. For travelers, that could mean securing peak-season stays or in-demand listings without having to commit funds right away, while for Airbnb, it’s another way to remove booking friction and keep guests coming back.