Short-term rentals, Airbnb introduces 'Book now, pay later' service. There is also Italia

After launching last summer in the United States, Airbnb has extended its 'Reserve now, pay later' service worldwide - including Italia -: for listings that provide this method, it will therefore be possible to 'block' the stay and pay shortly before the end of the free cancellation period. Bookings paid in Brazilian real, Indian rupee or Turkish lira are excluded from the change. The cancellation terms set by the hosts remain unchanged and payment by guests is always due before the end of the free cancellation period.

For the San Francisco-based company founded in 2007, the service will also 'have a positive impact for hosts in terms of increased bookings'. Airbnb does not provide predictions but notes that in the US 'there has been a growth in the number of nights and stays booked in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter of the same year'.

"Reserve now, pay later" is in addition to the other flexible payment options offered by the platform: "Pay part now, part later", which allows guests to pay a deposit at the time of booking and the balance close to the check-in, and Deferred Payment with Klarna.

Another novelty for Airbnb concerns the FIFA World Cup to be held in mid-2026: the Californian company has launched a $750 incentive to attract new hosts in the 16 North American cities preparing to welcome millions of visitors for the event. New 'whole-home' hosts who successfully complete their first stay until 31 July will be eligible for the programme's prize. For Airbnb, this is the largest incentive ever offered by the company for new hosts.