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Can You Pay Airbnb with A Credit Card?
July 1, 2025
Quick Answer
Yes, Airbnb accepts payments from all major credit cards, offering a straightforward way to secure your booking.
Should You Pay Airbnb With A Credit Card?
Deciding to use a credit card for Airbnb involves weighing the advantages against potential drawbacks.
Benefits of Using a Credit Card
- Rewards and Points: Many cards offer cash back, points, or miles on travel purchases, including Airbnb stays.
- Fraud Protection: Credit cards provide strong consumer protections, allowing you to dispute fraudulent or unauthorized charges.
- Travel Perks: Some cards include travel insurance benefits like trip cancellation or baggage delay coverage.
Drawbacks of Using a Credit Card
- Interest Charges: If you carry a balance, high interest rates can significantly increase the total cost of your stay.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Using a card for international bookings may incur fees, typically 1-3% of the transaction.
- Potential for Overspending: The convenience of credit can sometimes lead to booking stays beyond one's immediate budget.
How to Pay Airbnb With A Credit Card
Paying for your Airbnb with a credit card is a simple process that adds a layer of security and potential rewards to your booking. Follow these general steps to complete your payment.
- Add Your Card to Your Account: Before booking, navigate to the “Account” section on Airbnb and select “Payments & payouts.” Here, you can securely add your credit card details as a payment method.
- Choose the Right Card for the Booking: Consider using a card that offers travel rewards, purchase protection, or no foreign transaction fees to maximize value. To find a card that fits your spending habits, you can use the Kudos explore cards tool to compare options.
- Select Your Card at Checkout: When you’re ready to book a property, proceed to the checkout page. You will be prompted to select a payment method; choose the credit card you previously added.
- Review and Confirm Payment: Carefully review the booking details, including the total price and any payment schedules for longer stays. Once you confirm everything is correct, authorize the payment to finalize your reservation.
Impact On Your Credit Score
Paying for your Airbnb with a credit card can affect your credit score in several ways, both positively and negatively. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind before you book your next stay.
- Credit Utilization. Using a large portion of your available credit can increase your utilization ratio. This may temporarily lower your score until you pay off the balance.
- On-Time Payments. Making your credit card payment on time is crucial for a healthy credit history. A single late payment can negatively impact your score for years to come.
- Hard Inquiries. Applying for a new credit card for your trip can result in a hard inquiry. This can cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score.
Alternative Ways To Pay Airbnb
Paying Without a Credit Card
While credit cards are a popular choice, Airbnb accommodates several other payment methods. Depending on your location, you can often link a PayPal account or use a debit card that can be processed as a credit card. The platform also supports various country-specific payment options, providing flexibility for travelers worldwide and ensuring you can book a stay without relying solely on credit.
Utilizing Payment Plans and Gift Cards
For eligible bookings, Airbnb offers a "Pay Less Upfront" option, allowing you to split the total cost into multiple installments. This can ease the immediate financial burden. Another strategy is to use Airbnb gift cards, which can be purchased or received as gifts and applied to your booking, reducing the amount you need to pay with another method.
Choose the Right Card to Pay Airbnb
Booking your Airbnb with the right credit card can unlock significant rewards, but with nearly 3,000 options on the market, finding the perfect one can be a challenge. Instead of guessing, Kudos offers a personalized quiz to match your spending habits with the ideal card, whether you're after top travel perks or maximum cash back. You can use the Explore Tool to compare cards and ensure you’re getting the most out of your next booking.
If you're looking to get more from your credit cards, Kudos is the ultimate free tool to use when you shop online. We are also offering a $20 bonus after your first eligible purchase—just sign-up for free with code “GET20” and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of credit cards does Airbnb accept?
Airbnb accepts most major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB in many countries.
Is it safe to use my credit card on Airbnb?
Yes, Airbnb uses secure technology and encryption to protect your payment information when you book a stay.
Are there extra fees for paying with a credit card?
Airbnb doesn't charge extra, but your card issuer might apply foreign transaction fees for international bookings.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
