Airbnb will no longer require guests to pay for their entire
stay when booking.
The "Pay Less Up Front" option allows guests to pay
for 50% of their stay to reserve the booking.
To qualify for "Pay Less Up Front," guests must
book at least 14 days before the check-in date, and they must spend at least
$250 for their entire stay. Airbnb said most of its bookings meet the criteria.
While hosts would receive less money up front, Airbnb
positioned the new initiative as a benefit for hosts "who won't lose out
on bookings from cash-flow-sensitive guests."