Airbnb has launched a new 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' feature in the U.S., allowing users to book properties without upfront payment.
This feature applies to listings with 'flexible' or 'moderate' cancellation policies, offering cancellations up to 24 hours or five days before check-in, respectively.
Users must pay the full amount before the free cancellation period ends, with Airbnb sending reminders before the deadline.
This move follows Airbnb's previous experiments with flexible payment options, including partial payments and a partnership with Klarna for installment payments.
A survey indicated that 55% of users prefer flexible payment options, and 42% have missed out on properties due to payment logistics.