***Airbnb Allowing Grocery Deliveries Inside Airbnb App Via Instacart Now???

[Joan2709]

Just a heads up...anyone notified of this?

Came across this today. Airbnb is allowing guests to order groceries up to 3weeks prior to arrival and allowing pre-stocking of the Kitchen? Really? There is a 10% off coupon now appearing when you click the + sign next to the message platter? Supposedly this is only available in limited locations, but the coupon appeared in a location not mentioned in the article for a Host I work with?

I can see all kinds of issues with this. Although our door codes are not active until check-in time, I can see a guest thinking they can order groceries and give Instacart delivery person the door code and think the delivery person can just walk in and pre-stock the kitchen for them (don't think that's how it works - but why take the chance)? 

I also worry that the guest will give the door code to a delivery person to enter the home AFTER they check-in so they can put items in the frig or freezer? I hope that's not possible, but not willing to risk it. I do suggest Hosts opt out of Services and NOT use the grocery delivery option for the time being. 

We are adding wording to our Additional House Rules an check-in message to advise door codes may not be given to any third party to access the property (including delivery services). Only registered guests may have use of the door code. Deliveries should be scheduled only when a registered guest(s) are present. I can only see this pre-stocking option for limited properties and with someone local to supervise it for the Host/Owner.

Instacart Partnering With Airbnb - Grocery Deliveries

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/4073

Instacart

https://www.instacart.com/help/section/360007902831/360039163432/933923%40?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[Lorna170]

@Joan2709   One of my House Rules:  AirBnB Experiences or Services from outside vendors are not offered, not allowed and may not be conducted on the property. Guests may not receive mail or packages at the vacation rental property.

I have to protect my property (and myself) from AirBnB's interference with my business.  

[Greystone0]

Hi @Joan2709  - thank you for flagging this!

I noted this wording, "...you may have the option to have your groceries stocked in your kitchen by your host". Good grief. We'll soon have to offer this or be penalized by AI for not offering or some such thing.

We also have content in our house rules that services/experiences (or whatever) are not allowed, like  @Lorna170 . I suspect that some guests won't view this as a service though as deliveries like a pizza delivery or whatever, happen regularly, so we'll have to rethink this too.

Good grief!

[Joan2709]

@Greystone0 

We just added to our House Rules and Other Details that:

"Airbnb in App Services and grocery delivieres are not allowed. However, we do allow guests to order food and grocerices directly with service providers outside the Airbnb app (Door Dash, pizza deliveries, etc.). We ask that a member of your group be at the property to accept the deliveries during your stay. Door codes may not be shared with delivery drivers."

[Miki150]

I had a group that ordered a large amount of groceries (including 16 lbs of pasta!! for 4 days stay) for a group of 11. I had no idea this was happening until my co-host informed me that he had to carry all the bags—from the front door up to the main-floor kitchen (second floor). The order included gallons of milk, pasta, meat, and dozens of bottles of water.

I am not upset with anyone, but I truly wish we had been informed in advance. Our house is located in a mountain area, and unattended food deliveries can easily become an end-of-year feast for black bears and other wildlife. My priority is to protect our home and ensure safety.

I am more than happy to work with guests and Airbnb if this kind of service can be managed properly. However, in all honesty, this setup does not work well for our property. Our cleaning crew would charge additional fees, or I would need to send my co-host to handle it—both of which come at a significant cost.

I love seeing our guests happy, but not at the expense of safety, property protection, or unreasonable burden on our team.

[Joan2709]

@Miki150 

As far as I know, Airbnb did not notify the Host group they would be adding grocery deliveries as an option for guests. 

Be sure to contact Airbnb and opt out of Services - you have to call them to do it. You will then see this in the House Rules in the guest view:

Then I would add grocery deliveries within the Airbnb App are not permitted in House Rules and Other Details.

[Miki150]

Thank you, @Joan2709, for the quick reply. I contacted customer service, but the representative didn’t fully understand what I was trying to clarify.

I was not aware that guests could hire a private chef to cook meals inside the house. I wouldn’t mind guests choosing not to cook themselves; however, a chef would count as an additional person, and we do not allow events or parties in the house.

This creates a gray area for us. Allowing a chef raises concerns about guest count, unauthorized gatherings, and activities that could be considered an event, which goes against our house rules. I want to be clear and consistent, but the policy feels unclear in this situation.

[Greystone0]

Hi @Miki150  - excellent points and we have similar issues. On our end any person on the property or vehicle parked counts under our STR permit and so we have to make sure we have accounted for all and so we call this out in case it is in the idea of the guest to have a personal chef or include anyone else for day use. It's a real pain point for us as we can go easily go over our parking limitation and cause issues for guest and host (fine, parking fee, loss of permit).

[Joan2709]

@Miki150 

Did you get any heads up from the guest about they ordered groceries and you were going to have to carry them up to the house and put them in the frig?

Yes...Airbnb introduced services in May 2025. If you created your listings after that, you would not know about that unless Airbnb told you (they don't tell new hosts). However, when creating your listing on the platform, you tacitly agree to "Services" under Airbnb's Terms and Conditions. Many new Hosts are not aware of Services at all and Airbnb automatically opts in all Hosts:

You'll see Services at the top of the Today page. When I checked your area (Helen, GA) there are 3 services currently available to choose from and more to follow:

No Opt Out For Grocery Deliveries?

I don't see grocery deliveries in the list above as a "Service" so this must be something new they are doing. I'm assuming Airbnb is letting guests know they can order groceries after booking, but how is the Host supposed to know about it? Not able to verify that unless booking an actual reservation and seeing what a guest would see. Not sure how Airbnb expects Hosts to handle that, especially if the Host does not have a local Co Host who can bring groceries inside and put in the frig? This is a bad idea Airbnb. Please allow Hosts the ability to opt out of grocery deliveries - do we have to call and request that?

Airbnb Services - Introduced May 2025

Here is the article announcing Airbnb Services and previous thread when they became available (May 2025).  As pointed out, Airbnb opted all Hosts in automatically despite the fact that, these types of services are against local laws in some countries and local jurisdictions when performed inside a home, local restrictions on parking and restrictions on number of persons on the property etc. All new Hosts creating listings since May 2025 are automatically opted in as part of Airbnb's Terms of Service that Hosts agree to when creating listings on the platform:

Airbnb Services

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/introducing-airbnb-services-741

Beware New Airbnb Services

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-circle/Beware-of-the-new-Services-category/m-p/2108898#M632...

As time goes on, more and more new Hosts will not be aware they have tacitly agreed to allow Services in their home(s), as they are not aware they would need to call Airbnb to opt-out?

No Services & Grocery Delivery Opt Out Button?

Hosts asked Airbnb to add an opt-out button in House Rules for Services, but that never happened (hmmm...wonder why?).  We also asked that Airbnb change the wording to "No Airbnb in-home services allowed", but that hasn't happened either:

This is how House Rules appear when opting out of Services. Doesn't look like that will stop Grocery Deliveries though, so you'll have to add that to your House Rules, Other Details and probably Guest messages that you don't allow Airbnb in App grocery deliveries, as it appears guests can order groceries without your knowledge? Hosts can actually invite guests to order groceries if they want, but you can guess most Hosts won't be adding that to a message for guests.

@Joelle43 

[Miki150]

Joan,

Thank you for sharing such helpful information. I really appreciate it. No, guests didn't consult and even they didn't expect the delivery came much earlier than their arrival (lol).

I started hosting on Airbnb at the end of May 2025, and last night I chatted with Airbnb support. I learned that my property is not part of the pilot program, as the delivery service has not yet been launched for all listings. Based on this, I believe the guests ordered their groceries without notifying us in advance.

I reviewed the services that guests are allowed to use during their stay, and it appears difficult to prohibit these services unless there is clear evidence that an event or party is taking place at the property. Without that proof, enforcement becomes challenging.

I want to ensure that we remain compliant with Airbnb policies while also protecting the safety and integrity of our home, so I appreciate any continued guidance on how best to manage these situations moving forward.

Thank you again for your support.

[Joan2709]

@Miki150 

If indeed the guest took this upon themselves to order groceries (outside the Airbnb in app groceries), it is probably wise to add that you don't allow Airbnb in Home Services or grocery deliveries. Then add If guests want to order groceries outside the app, they must be at the property (during the stay) and someone in their group should be available to accept the deliveries. You should also add that door codes should not be shared with delivery drivers.

For Services, you absolutely ARE allowed to opt out. You don't need to have evidence the guest will have an unauthorized party.

You just need to call Airbnb and give them your listing ID and say you want to opt-out of Services. The Hosts I work with have all opted out for numerous reasons. Two big reasons are Hosts are not compensated in any way for allowing Airbnb in Home Services (Airbnb & Service Host get paid though), yet Home Host assumes additional liability and risk. Some Hosts legally cannot allow in Home Services. Airbnb says Aircover will cover Hosts for Services, but you can see how terrible Aircover works for Hosts for guest damages - no thanks.

[Miki150]

"You should also add that door codes should not be shared with delivery drivers."

That’s a very good point. I create a unique access code for every guest at check-in, but I should clearly remind them not to share the code with anyone who is not part of the reservation.

I’ve also noted that no unattended food is allowed outside at any time. I need to be more proactive about reminding guests regarding deliveries as well.

Instead, I will redirect guests to a nearby grocery store, which is conveniently located and not far from the property at all. Thank you for the tip.

[Elaine701]

I have begun setting the door code to the reverse of the last 4 digits. e.g., 1234 becomes 4321.

And I don't give the guest that code (nor is it activated) until a few hours before their arrival. 

So, if the guest orders something and it can't be delivered because Airbnb didn't think through it, that's not my fault. I would refer any guest to complain about this to Airbnb CS since I have no control over it whatsoever. 

[Joelle43]

Thanks @Joan2709 for the info on this new Airbnb "service"!  

I clicked on the Airbnb link that you provided and like all the links, it would be really helpful if Airbnb would add a date to their help articles so that hosts can see if this is a recent addition or an old, outdated one.

It seems equally important that they should tell hosts upfront which areas/countries are being included in this scheme! It is so vague and therefore not helpful.

What happens if your fridge isn't big enough for the amount of food ordered or if your fridge is on the blink? Or if the bears decide to have a midnight feast as @Miki150 says or the ants march in?  I imagine that the host will be asked to refund the grocery shop of course in case of any incident.

And not informing the host that the guest has placed an order???  This is a disaster waiting to happen...

[Joan2709]

@Joelle43 

I believe Airbnb not dating help articles is intentional. Almost every other large corporation I have worked with always dates their help articles and User educational material. Hmmm 🤔.

Yes...the usual no notice to Hosts about this new feature and of course creating problems for Hosts becuase of it. Kinda envisioned the situation that happened with  @Miki150  and forsee more situations like this. Sigh.