Airbnb is testing a new service with Instacart that will let guests order groceries directly through the Airbnb app before and during their stay. The company confirmed this pilot program on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Airbnb explained that the company regularly tests new product updates and initiatives to improve the experience for its community. This new grocery pilot with Instacart is part of that effort and follows the launch of Airbnb Services earlier this year. The pilot will begin in January and will be available in select markets across the United States.
The kitchen stocking service will be offered to a limited group of hosts with listings in Phoenix, Orlando, and Los Angeles. Hosts who receive and put away their guests’ pre-orders before check-in will receive a twenty-five dollar payment. They will also get a one hundred dollar bonus for their first completed order.
Guests can place their Instacart orders from within the Airbnb app up to three weeks before their stay begins. An Instacart spokesperson stated that by integrating groceries directly into the Airbnb app, the partnership makes it easier for guests to stock their kitchens and feel at home from the moment they arrive. Instacart is excited to put its retailer network and technology to work for Airbnb guests.
This new partnership with Instacart is the latest addition to Airbnb Services, which launched in May. The Services platform allows guests to book various services and experiences, such as massages, haircuts, or chef-prepared meals. These offerings can be added to a stay or booked independently.
The introduction of Services places Airbnb in more direct competition with other travel companies like Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Viator, and GetYourGuide. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has said that Services will help the company add one billion dollars or more in annual revenue.