Hosts asks to pay in person, instead usual airbnb bank payment. Am I about to be doublecrossed or tricked?

[Tamas37]

I sent a request to a host. In messaging, we agreed, everything looked fine. When she was about accept, she asked the following (quote):

"Ok. I would just ask for the payment at check in the 400 eur. if u make a deposit here it will expire in 24h h. Than I will block the dates for you."

Is she trying to trick me? Or just avoiding taxation? What is this 24h expiration, I don't understand.

[Hello6]

"Offline or cash payments are a violation of our Terms of Service, and can result in removal from Airbnb. Off-site payments make it harder for us to protect your information, and put you at greater risk of fraud and other security issues. " - https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/126/payment-methods-accepted

[Hello6]

" How to pay  If you agree with the charge, always pay the Host through the Resolution Center, never directly. Be sure to keep all payment transactions on Airbnb—otherwise, we can’t help with issues related to off-site or cash payments." - https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/251/if-a-host-asks-for-more-money

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Tamas37 none of this really makes sense. I would avoid this host if I were you.

[Hello6]

@Tamas37probably not a scam.  Just be aware of the strengths and limitations of agreement to make a cash payment to a host outside of Airbnb.  Plenty of hosts charge extra for items / part of a stay / damage deposits / community fees on arrival / parking/ laundry / to pay a cleaner or helper etc. etc.  As long as the host has informed you clearly and you are in clear agreement then you should receive what you are paying for.  Just note the above links to understand what a host can ask for in cash and what your rights as an Airbnb guest are.  Good luck and hopefully you have a good stay.  Note: you should ask your host about making any extra payments online via the resolution center.  A host already accepts digital payment via Airbnb so there should not be a complaint about receiving further digital payment for extra items.  Any cash conversions a hosts needs to do to pay workers or cover service items they should be doing themselves.