Airbnb Updates Experiences Platform with New Social and Booking Features
Airbnb has updated its Experiences platform with new social tools aimed at helping guests connect with each other. The global rollout includes features that allow users to see other participants, message fellow travellers, and maintain connections after an experience, all within the Airbnb app.
The ‘Who’s Going’ feature shows profiles and locations of participants already signed up for an experience, addressing user interest in knowing more about other guests before booking. Guests can also message participants directly and revisit these contacts under a new Connections section in their profiles, with privacy controls that allow users to manage who can view their profiles or message them.
Alongside social tools, Airbnb has enhanced search and map functions to help users discover more diverse stays and nearby destinations. The updated maps include filters for points of interest such as landmarks, restaurants, and attractions, along with travel distances from selected stays.
A ‘Reserve Now, Pay Later’ option has been introduced, initially in the US, allowing guests to book eligible stays without upfront payment. This feature is expected to expand globally in 2026.
Airbnb has also upgraded its AI-powered customer support, providing faster, context-aware responses in English, Spanish, and French across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The system can identify users, recognize reservations or listings, and allow in-chat actions such as cancellations or date changes.
For hosts, Airbnb is rolling out dynamic cancellation policies, improved pricing guidance, and a new earnings dashboard to compare trends year-over-year and by season.
These updates are part of Airbnb’s broader effort to improve discovery, connection, and flexibility for both guests and hosts.
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