Arrive to a stocked fridge: Airbnb is testing built-in grocery delivery with Instacart so travelers can order essentials before they even check in. The pilot, rolling out in January, will be available for select hosts and listings in Phoenix, Orlando, and Los Angeles.
Here’s how it works:
– Guests can place Instacart grocery orders directly through the Airbnb app up to three weeks before their stay or during their trip.
– Participating hosts can choose to receive the delivery and put items away before check-in. Hosts earn $25 for each pre-arrival stocking and get a $100 bonus for their first completed order.
Airbnb says the goal is to make vacation rentals feel like home from day one by removing the scramble for groceries after a long trip. Instacart brings its large network of retail partners and ordering technology to power the experience behind the scenes.
This grocery option expands Airbnb’s growing Services lineup, introduced in May, which lets travelers book add-ons such as in-home massages, haircuts, and chef-prepared meals. These services can be attached to a stay or booked on their own, positioning Airbnb more directly against platforms like Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Viator, and GetYourGuide. CEO Brian Chesky has said Services could contribute $1 billion or more in annual revenue.
If the pilot performs well, expect Airbnb’s kitchen-stocking service to become a highly requested feature for short-term rentals, helping guests save time and helping hosts elevate hospitality with a smoother, more personalized arrival.
