Airbnb is expanding its “Reserve Now, Pay Later” feature worldwide after reporting strong adoption in the United States.

Originally introduced last summer for eligible domestic stays in the US, the payment option allows guests to secure a booking without paying at the time of reservation. According to the company, more than 70 percent of eligible bookings in the fourth quarter adopted the feature, contributing to an acceleration in nights and seats booked between Q3 and Q4 2025.

The program will now be available globally for guests booking eligible listings with moderate or flexible cancellation policies. The move significantly broadens access to deferred payment options, particularly for international trips and group travel.

Flexible payments increasingly shape booking behaviour

Airbnb cites survey data conducted with Focaldata among US travellers indicating that payment flexibility plays a growing role in travel decision-making. Sixty percent of respondents said flexible payment options are important when booking a holiday. More than half reported using flexible payment options, with one in ten saying they always choose that option when available.

Notably, 42 percent said they had delayed or missed out on preferred accommodation due to time spent coordinating payments with co-travellers, highlighting friction in group bookings.

By allowing guests to secure accommodation without immediate payment, Airbnb aims to reduce booking hesitation and prevent inventory loss on high-demand stays.

Timed with 2026 travel demand

The global rollout coincides with Airbnb’s 2026 travel outlook, which points to rising demand for international city breaks and travel tied to major global events such as Coachella and the FIFA World Cup. The company also identified a broader behavioural shift toward experiential travel, moving away from “scrolling screens” toward outdoor and real-world experiences.

In this context, deferred payment functionality enables travellers to lock in scarce listings earlier, particularly in competitive markets.

Part of a broader payment ecosystem

Reserve Now, Pay Later applies to listings offering flexible or moderate cancellation policies. It complements Airbnb’s broader payment suite, which includes:

• Pay Part Now, Part Later, allowing guests to split payments between booking and pre-check-in
• Pay Over Time via Klarna

By expanding deferred payment access globally, Airbnb is strengthening its competitive positioning in an increasingly price-sensitive and flexibility-driven travel market.