When booking a stay through Airbnb, both the host and the guest incur service fees.
These fees contribute to the platform’s operation and maintenance. Let’s break down the two primary fee structures:
1. Split Fee
This is the most common fee structure. It’s divided between the host and the guest:
- Host Fee: Typically, hosts pay a 3% fee on the booking subtotal. However, this can vary, especially for hosts in Italy. The fee is automatically deducted from the host’s payout.
- Guest Fee: This fee is generally under 14.2% of the booking subtotal. It can fluctuate based on various factors, including the booking’s duration and currency. For stays of 28 nights or more, the guest fee might be reduced.
Cross-Currency Bookings
For bookings where the guest pays in a different currency than the host’s listing, Airbnb adjusts the guest service fee. This adjustment ensures that the fee aligns with the value provided to the guest. In these cases, the guest fee can be up to 16.5% of the booking subtotal including an additional amount.
2. Host-Only Fee
In this structure, the entire service fee is deducted from the host’s payout. It’s typically between 14% and 16% but can vary based on factors like the host’s cancellation policy and the length of the stay.
This fee structure is mandatory for traditional hospitality listings, such as hotels and serviced apartments, as well as for hosts who use software to manage their listings (unless most of their listings are in specific countries).
VAT Charges
Depending on local laws, Value-Added Tax (VAT) might be applicable to the service fees. The service fee is usually VAT-inclusive.
Also, Airbnb reserves the right to change its service fees at any time, subject to its Terms of Service.
Related Topics
