In this article, we will see Does Airbnb Accept Prepaid Cards?
Air Bed and Breakfast, alias Airbnb, is an online-based marketplace that acts as a connecting agent by linking clients seeking accommodation with their possible hosts in different locations across the world. Hosts are the people looking to rent out or lease their personal spaces to interested parties for a particular duration of time.
Founded in August 2008, it has since then provided a way for property owners to make an extra dime– you can create a listing on their website and offer up your apartment, living room, extra bedroom, cottage, or beach house, to people visiting your local area. After making your listing public, it could take up to about seventy-two hours for it to be made visible in the search results.
Airbnb accepts several different payment methods, including prepaid cards as well as credit cards. For context purposes, you must first understand what qualifies as a prepaid card. A prepaid card is one where you have to load money onto in order for you to spend, contrary to a credit card where you can borrow money. What this means is that you cannot spend more than you have already had on the card. However, some prepaid card providers also offer credit and overdraft services.
Modes Of Payment Accepted By Airbnb
Once you make your booking and the host approves it, you’re charged the full amount for the stay to whatever mode of payment you’re using. Below are the modes of payment that Airbnb accepts.
Modes of payment common in most countries include:
- Debit Cards that allow for overdraft services
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Amex
- JCB
- Apple Pay
- PaypalGoogle Pay
- American Express
- Discover
Modes of payment available in select countries:
- PayU – India
- Sofortüberweisung – Germany
- Postepay – Italy
- Discover – United States
- IDEAL – Netherlands
- Alipay & Wechat – China
- Aura, Elo & Hipercard – Brazil
Can You Make Payment Outside Of Airbnb?
Airbnb is supposed to collect your reservation payment in full, but on occasion, there are fees incurred that the host is authorized to collect. However, it is of utter importance to be cautious because there are cases whereby one may be swindled. Upon such misfortune, log in to your account, contact the Airbnb help center and state your claim. Before paying your host directly, ensure that the fee is detailed in the listing description. These additional fees may include either of the following:
- Security deposit – to repair any kind of damage that may occur during the stay or for extra maintenance charges like cleaning.
- Resort Fees – to cover amenities.
- Incidentals – may cover things such as parking fees, among other services.
- Local Occupancy Tax – sometimes, guests are required to pay some form of tax, and hosts are advised to include it in the reservation fee. It is essential that the host explains about the necessary taxes that may incur in the listing description. An example of the tax charges that may be incurred includes Value Added Tax. (VAT)
How To Make An Airbnb Booking?
- Visit the Airbnb website.
- Log into your existing account. If you don’t already have one, you’ll be required to create an account by signing up. Personal information will be required to verify identity.
- Indicate the location you intend to visit and the date(s). This will help narrow down your search.
- After finding accommodation that befits you, book it, and wait for the host to approve your booking.
- When the host approves, be keen to instantly pay for the accommodation. After payment has been received, you’ll be notified.
Why Should You Book An Airbnb Over A Hotel Room?
Among other things, what people really want to know is whether renting out an Airbnb is cheaper compared to the prior dominant method of vacation, which is hotel bookings. Most people find Airbnb stays to be cost-effective because you can get more space for less money. This offer is most enticing to families and groups of friends– for a group of five, renting a three- or four-bedroom house with amenities within is definitely cheaper compared to renting a hotel room for each member of the group and/or family.
Another thing is, cost of upkeep in an Airbnb may prove to be cheaper, especially with food-related costs because most house rentals will have a kitchen area– you can bring your own groceries and shopping. Privacy is also something that gives Airbnb an upper hand– for properties with amenities such as swimming pools, access is private for the guests renting the property at the time. This is contrary to hotels where amenities are accessible to every paying guest within. Airbnb offers a homely feeling away from home.
Airbnb Security Deposit
Much like renting or leasing an apartment from your landlord, hosts with listings of their property on Airbnb can request for some deposit to serve as a security measure in case of any post damages after a guest’s visit.
If the host doesn’t make any damage claims within 14 days after her/his visit, she, or he is entitled to ask for a full refund of the security deposit. If a host claims that a guest did some damage to their property, they’re required to submit proof of the damage in order for Airbnb to deem their claim valid and pay.
Long-term Versus Short-term Stays On Airbnb
A short-term stay takes up to 27 days maximum, whereas a long-term stay takes 28 days or longer. For a short-term stay, the guest is required to pay the full amount during reservation–for a long-term stay, the guest is allowed to pay in two installments; the first payment is collected during reservation, and the second one is charged weeks into the guest(s) stay.
Conclusion
Airbnb does accept prepaid cards as long as there’s enough money in your debit card to cover your full reservation fee,
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do Airbnb refunds take?
They take between one to three business days.
- Can I use my debit card as a credit card to pay for Airbnb?
Yes, you can. However, ensure that there are enough funds in your debit card to cover full payment.
- Is Airbnb profitable for owners?
Airbnb is a profitable investment for property owners. However, that varies depending on whether or not the owner gets consistent bookings.
- What is Airbnb Pay Less Upfront?
It’s a program that allows guests to pay a part of their subtotal fee during reservation and then pay the rest of the amount later at a scheduled date. However, this program is available selectively– which means not all listings have this offer onboard.
