Airbnb testing option for guests to order Instacart supplies before their stay

Heading to an Airbnb, but don’t want to lug six boxes of your child’s favorite macaroni and cheese? You may soon be able to have your choice of groceries waiting for you when you arrive. Airbnb is testing a new service in three US cities that will allow travelers to put their site online Instacart Order before their trip.

The program will launch on January 5 in Phoenix, Orlando and Los Angeles and will run for a few months to see if it gains traction among guests. Currently, guests can place an Instacart order during their stay if they wish, but this feature means the items will already be there when they arrive.

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The new option will mean more work for Airbnb hosts, who will have to unpack and place the order before guests arrive. However, Airbnb plans to pay hosts money for each completed order.

“By offering this service, not only do they (hosts) receive rewards, including a one-time payment of $100 plus $25 for each delivery chosen to stock the kitchen, but they will help make their guests’ stay even better,” an Airbnb spokesperson told CNET.

Guests can use Instacart through the Airbnb app to order groceries, household essentials and other items up to three weeks in advance. After the request is submitted, the hosts are notified. The host then selects a date and time that suits them to receive the order.

“While an order can be placed up to three weeks in advance of a stay, hosts can coordinate delivery and kitchen stocking to be part of the general rotation process between guests, similar to cleaning,” an Airbnb spokesperson said.

On the day of delivery, hosts receive updates on order status and can notify guests that their groceries have been packed and ready for pickup. Hosts can accept delivery up to 24 hours in advance and at least three hours before the guest’s check-in time. Hosts are also expected to follow food safety guidelines when unpacking and storing items.

This isn’t the first time Airbnb has experimented with unique services for guests. They have previously collaborated with Charging pointan electric car charging service, and provided guests with discounts on electric car chargers.