Airbnb rolls out its 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' option worldwide

The feature enables guests to book eligible stays without paying at the time of reservation

Airbnb is rolling out its Reserve Now, Pay Later feature globally, enabling guests to book eligible stays without paying at the time of reservation. After a US launch, the option now applies to listings with flexible or moderate cancellation policies.

Airbnb announces the worldwide extension of Reserve Now, Pay Later, a payment option that allows travellers to confirm a booking without paying at checkout. First introduced in the United States, the feature is now available to all guests booking eligible listings with a flexible or moderate cancellation policy, with free cancellation on moderate policies up to five days before arrival. The company says uptake in the US has been very favourable, with more than 70 per cent adoption on eligible bookings in the fourth quarter of 2025.

With this set‑up, a guest selects a listing that meets the eligibility criteria and can secure it without immediate payment. Payment is taken before the end of the listing’s free‑cancellation window. This option complements the ability to pay in instalments via Pay Over Time with Klarna, where available. Listings with a “Limited” cancellation policy (full refund up to 14 days before arrival) or a “Firm” policy (30 days) are not eligible, nor are bookings paid in Brazilian real, Indian rupees or Turkish lira.

Airbnb highlights travellers’ appetite for financial flexibility. In a survey conducted with Focaldata among US travellers, 60 per cent of respondents said flexible payment options are important when booking a holiday; 55 per cent say they use these flexible options, and one in ten say they always use them when available. Finally, 42 per cent report having missed out on a preferred accommodation because of the time needed to coordinate payment with co‑travellers.

Airbnb hopes to benefit from this roll‑out around major moments such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. In such contexts, the ability to lock in a sought‑after stay early and pay later meets a need for more detailed planning and finer budget trade‑offs.