Handling all payments is absolutely critical because it leads to a review/rating system that is credible (which is critical for a service like Airbnb where stra

Handling all payments is absolutely critical because it leads to a review/rating system that is credible (which is critical for a service like Airbnb where strangers are offering and renting space to/from each other). As soon as the payment processing is gone you end with a review/rating system like Yelp. Namely one this is easy to game (for example business owners offering free things to people who give them a good Yelp review) and therefore carries little to no weight. I've used Airbnb three times now. The credible rating system was crucial for me to feel comfortable staying with a total stranger.