Travelers heading to and from Greece will soon enjoy greater booking flexibility as Airbnb rolls out its new “Book Now, Pay Later” option, allowing guests to secure selected accommodations worldwide without paying upfront.
The move forms part of the company’s broader strategy to provide more flexible booking choices for guests while helping hosts attract additional reservations. The feature’s recent debut in the United States contributed to a rise in booked nights in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter, underscoring strong demand for payment flexibility.
The new option is now available to Greek users booking eligible listings that operate under moderate or flexible cancellation policies. Instead of paying the full amount at the time of booking, travelers can complete payment shortly before the free cancellation period expires. Hosts’ cancellation policies remain unchanged, and payments are always finalized before the free cancellation window closes, ensuring hosts have enough time to secure a new reservation if a booking is cancelled.
The feature arrives as travel trends show growing demand for flexible payment arrangements, especially for group trips where coordinating finances among friends or family can delay decisions and lead to missed opportunities. By removing the need for immediate payment, travelers can lock in preferred accommodations while organizing budgets or collecting payments from fellow travelers.
Recent research conducted by Airbnb in partnership with Focaldata highlights this shift in consumer behavior:
• 60% of respondents said flexible payment options are important when booking holidays.
• 55% reported already using flexible payment methods, with one in ten always choosing them when available.
• 42% said they had delayed or lost their preferred accommodation because coordinating payments with travel companions took too long.
For travelers planning group getaways or carefully budgeting their trips, the new payment option offers a practical way to secure accommodation without immediate financial pressure.
