Airbnb Allows Fare Split For Billing

Airbnb, the home swapping service, is reportedly testing a new fare split feature that enables users to split the cost of lodging between friends.

According to a report, Airbnb is taking a page from Uber that already enables riders to split the fare. The feature works like this: If a group of friends are booking a room instead of getting charged the full amount on a credit card, the cost split can be up to 16 ways. Currently the feature is being tested in a small, initial pilot. It’s not clear if and when it will be rolled out. The test is part of several updates the company announced a few weeks ago to improve the service. For example, it has streamlined its check-in process so that hosts can create an in-app guide to the home including text instructions.

Earlier this month it launched a new platform aimed at enabling people to host Syrian refugees, refugees in Europe and other people in need, dubbed Open Homes. According to the company, the Airbnb platform lets anyone sign up to host a refugee or other person in need by providing them with part or all of their house. A handful of nonprofits and relief agencies can search the platform to find temporary housing for the people they are helping. It’s the responsibility of the organization to vet the refugees or those who are displaced and reserve the residency. Airbnb doesn’t collect fees from the new platform, and the relief agencies don’t have to pay to place the people in the homes. Forbes noted that there are 6,000 listings on the platform in locations across the world. The main locations for the temporary housing are in the U.S. and Europe. The four areas of needs Airbnb is helping with are refugees and asylum seekers, disaster, medical needs and the homeless. The idea is to provide the housing for a few nights up to a few weeks. Forbes reported the new platform is drawing a lot of interest from people who are not existing Airbnb hosts but want to help. Only around half of the listings are from Airbnb existing hosts.