My rentalsPlan my rental

Reply to a request to pay outside Airbnb

Message templateFor guestsSend: As soon as a guest asks to book, pay or talk off the platformBy HostCalmlyUpdated Oct 30, 2026How we write templatesReport an error

Short answer

Decline politely and keep everything on the platform. Thank the guest and explain that bookings, payments and messages stay on Airbnb. Then offer what you can there instead, such as a special offer or a reservation change. Airbnb's policy prohibits asking guests to pay outside the platform, and guests who pay off Airbnb lose AirCover protection.

Your version

Highlighted parts are details we don't have yet. Fill them in below and they're remembered for every message.

Fill these in first (2 left). Every message reuses them.

Wi-Fi passwords and door details stay in this browser. Nothing is sent to us.

Hi [Guest name], Thanks for your interest in [Rental name]. I keep all bookings, payments and messages on the platform. That way your reservation and your payment are protected, and we both have a clear record of what we've agreed. [What you can offer on the platform instead, such as: If it's the price you're asking about, I can send you an offer here for your dates.] If you have any questions about the home, just ask me here. I'm happy to help. [Your name]
3 parts still in [brackets]

When to send it

Send it as soon as the request comes in. It works for a request to pay directly, to move to email or text or to book a future stay without the platform. A quick, friendly no keeps the guest interested. If the message looks like a scam, don't share any contact details and report it instead.

Tips

  • Know the rule. Airbnb's Pricing and payment transparency (opens in a new tab) policy says guests and hosts may not ask or encourage another user to send or receive payments outside Airbnb, and that all communication before booking must be on Airbnb. It also bans offering or soliciting discounts to book off Airbnb. Breaking the policy can lead to warnings or suspended listings and accounts.
  • Explain the benefit to the guest. Airbnb's Paying and communicating through Airbnb (opens in a new tab) article tells guests that paying outside Airbnb means losing the AirCover protection that comes with booking through the platform.
  • Watch for scam signals: requests to pay by wire or bank transfer, pressure to move to email or text before booking, links to outside sites and urgent stories about why the platform won't work. Airbnb's guest article warns that paying by wire or bank transfer may be a sign of a fraudulent reservation.
  • Report suspicious messages. Airbnb says it blocks potentially dangerous messages that might include contact information, and asks users to report suspicious messages.
  • If the guest wants a better price, use the platform's own tools, such as a special offer before booking or a reservation change after. The discount request reply covers that conversation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give a guest my phone number before they book?

No. Airbnb's policy says all communication before booking must be on Airbnb. Keep the conversation in the message thread until the reservation is confirmed.

Can a repeat guest book with me directly?

Not for a stay arranged through Airbnb. The platform's policy says payments for current, future and repeat bookings must stay on Airbnb, and it prohibits rebooking or extending Airbnb reservations off the platform.

What if a guest offers to pay more to book directly?

Still decline. Airbnb's policy prohibits offering or soliciting discounts to book off Airbnb and asking guests to pay outside the platform, and breaking it can lead to warnings or a suspended account.

More message templates

All 26 messages, filled in

Enter your check-in time, Wi-Fi and house details once. Every message fills itself. Free, saved on this device.

Open the message writer