Airbnb may have started as a simple homesharing platform, but it’s come a long way since then.
Last year, Airbnb launched services — such as spa treatments and photography sessions — and reimagined its Experiences platform to help travelers experience destinations in more authentic ways.
Now, Airbnb has added some interesting new categories to these offerings. It’s also launched hotels — yes, actual hotels, not just vacation rentals.
“The best trips help you explore, learn, and come home a little different than when you left. That’s what we’re building at Airbnb,” said Brian Chesky, the company’s co-founder and CEO, according to a press release. “And this summer, we’re giving people even more ways to do it—from incredible places to stay and boutique hotels that feel like Airbnb, to unforgettable World Cup experiences and services that make your trip easier.”
Let’s take a look at what’s new.
Related: Renting an Airbnb this summer? Here are the best credit cards to use
New services to streamline your trip
One key update is the addition of new categories of services, specifically those intended to streamline the travel experience — along with savings and offers for Airbnb guests. These include:
- Rental cars: You can now book a car right in the Airbnb app, which will show vehicles near your listing and suggest the right vehicle for your group. The first time you rent a car on Airbnb, you’ll get a 20% credit back toward your next stay, experience or select services.
- Grocery delivery: Through Airbnb’s partnership with Instacart, you can order groceries during your trip or have them waiting at your Airbnb when you arrive in over 25 U.S. cities. Plus, Airbnb guests get $0 delivery and $10 off an order of $50 or more.
- Airport pickups: Airbnb has also partnered with Welcome Pickups, a private car service in which a driver tracks your flight and meets you curbside after you land. The service is available in over 160 cities worldwide, and Airbnb guests can save 20% on every ride.
- Luggage storage: The Airbnb app will show you the nearest Bounce drop-off locations — over 15,000 locations in 175 cities — and Airbnb guests get 15% off.
According to a press release from Airbnb, “This is just the beginning of new services guests can book on Airbnb this year,” so more categories may be on the way.
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More local experiences
Airbnb already offers a variety of tours, classes and other experiences that you can book during a trip or in your own backyard. The app will even recommend activities based on your group size.
This summer, the platform is adding thousands more experiences led by local experts across its most popular categories:
- Landmarks: See iconic attractions, from the Tower of London to the Taj Mahal, with a local guide.
- Food culture experiences: Through partnerships with Chef’s Table and Grand Central Market, you can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a place’s food and beverage culture, meet Michelin-starred chefs and more.
- FIFA World Cup 2026: You can’t get tickets through Airbnb, but you can book exclusive experiences, such as a USA vs. Australia watch party with World Cup champions Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy.
While you can’t book these activities directly with points, as you can with some hotel platforms like World of Hyatt’s Find and Hilton Honors Experiences, there are some unique options available only on Airbnb.
Boutique and independent hotels
Over the better part of two decades, Airbnb has shifted from simple homesharing to a huge variety of vacation rentals, from luxurious treehouses to cozy B&Bs. The platform is taking this a step further with the introduction of boutique and independent hotels.
You can now book thousands of hotels through the platform, each handpicked for its location, design and hospitality to feel as homey as an Airbnb. These properties are currently available in 20 popular destinations around the world, such as New York, London and Singapore, with plans to add more destinations throughout the year.
Airbnb is also giving users more reasons to book boutique hotels through its platform. If you book a “featured hotel,” you can receive up to 15% credit toward your next Airbnb home. And with Airbnb’s price match guarantee, if you find a lower price for the same hotel anywhere else, you’ll get the difference as Airbnb credit.
With these features, the program seems to be trying to encourage users to stay within its ecosystem — possibly the closest Airbnb has ever come to loyalty program territory.
Bottom line
Since I book through Airbnb fairly often for its unique stays — most recently, an unforgettable hobbit house near Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains — I’m always glad to see the platform adding new features. Being able to book other trip elements like groceries and airport pickups all in one place is convenient, and Airbnb offers some unique local experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
However, you can often earn far more points by booking through credit card portals, which generally offer independent hotels, rental cars, tours and activities similar to Airbnb. So — in case you’re reading this, Brian Chesky — this writer is still anxiously awaiting an Airbnb loyalty program or credit card.
