The short answer
Airbnb charges hosts either a split fee, where most hosts pay 3 percent and guests pay a separate service fee, or a host-only fee, which is 15.5 percent for most hosts. According to Airbnb, the host-only fee is mandatory for hotels, serviced apartments and hosts who use property management software, among others. If you manage several units with a channel manager, you will therefore usually pay 15.5 percent.
Key takeaways
- Split fee: most hosts pay 3 percent, and the guest pays a service fee on top.
- Host-only fee: most hosts pay 15.5 percent, others typically 14 to 16 percent. The guest does not pay a separate service fee.
- The host-only fee is mandatory for hotels and serviced apartments, for hosts using property management software, and in certain countries.
- If you work with Smoobu, Lodgify or another channel manager, you typically fall under the 15.5 percent model.
Two models, one question
With the split fee, your statement looks harmless: 3 percent. But the guest also pays a service fee to Airbnb on top. For them, your flat becomes more expensive than the price you set. With the host-only fee, the guest sees your price without a surcharge, but Airbnb deducts 15.5 percent from your earnings.
In both cases, there is a noticeable gap between what the guest pays and what reaches you. The key question is how many of these bookings would also have come to you directly.
Why channel manager users pay 15.5 percent
According to Airbnb, the host-only fee is mandatory for hosts who use property management software, among others. That affects almost all hosts with multiple units, because without a channel manager it is hard to run Airbnb, Booking.com and other channels without the risk of overbooking. Check in your Airbnb account, under the payment settings, which model is active for you. How to keep calendars and prices in sync between your channel manager and your own website without errors is covered in Keeping channel manager and website in sync.
Worked example
Example figures, which you replace with your own:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Units | 4 |
| Average price per night | €120 |
| Booked nights per unit per year | 230 |
| Revenue via Airbnb | €110,400 |
| Host fee 15.5% | €17,112 |
If some of these guests switch to direct booking, such as returning guests and referrals, the fee on those bookings stays with you, less the costs of payment processing and your website. Work through your own situation with the fee calculator.
What direct booking adds
A fair calculation also deducts costs from direct bookings: fees for payment processing, the website and, where applicable, advertising. You also take on tasks that Airbnb otherwise handles, such as payment processing, deposits and communication before arrival. With a booking flow that handles payment and deposits automatically, and an assistant for standard questions, the workload stays manageable.
Not every guest books directly. New guests you will still find through platforms. Realistically, the guests who book directly are mainly returning guests, referrals and guests who already know your property and search for its name on Google.
What you can do
- Identify returning guests: Who has stayed with you twice? These guests are the first candidates for direct booking.
- Own website with a live calendar: Direct booking only works if guests can see immediately what is available. See website with Smoobu connection and website with Lodgify connection.
- Follow platform rules: Airbnb has its own rules on communication outside the platform. Do not promote direct bookings through the Airbnb inbox.
- Obtain consent: Send newsletters only with explicit consent. See Guest data and returning guests.
Sources and further reading
Häufige Fragen
What is the Airbnb fee for hosts?
With the split fee, most hosts pay 3 percent, while guests pay an additional service fee. With the host-only fee, most hosts pay 15.5 percent. According to Airbnb, the typical range for the host-only fee is 14 to 16 percent. Which model applies depends on your account and on whether you use property management software, so check your Airbnb account settings to see which fee applies to you.
Can I choose the split fee if I use a channel manager?
According to Airbnb, the host-only fee is mandatory for hosts who use property management software. This means the split fee is not an option you can choose if you use a channel manager. The host-only fee of 15.5 percent is therefore the model you should expect, and it is worth confirming in your Airbnb account which fee is active for your listings.
Am I allowed to point Airbnb guests to my website?
Airbnb restricts communication outside the platform. Do not use the Airbnb messaging inbox to promote direct bookings. For direct bookings, use your own routes, such as your website, Google and returning guests who have given their consent. The rules on contacting guests are set by Airbnb, so check its current guidance before you contact anyone.
Does a guest pay less with the host-only fee?
Under the host-only model, the guest does not pay a separate Airbnb service fee. Whether the final price is lower for the guest, however, depends on how you set your prices. The fee is deducted from what you receive, so the amount that reaches you is the figure to compare between models. Use the fee calculator to work through your own situation with your own numbers.
How do I find out which model applies to me?
Look in your Airbnb account under the settings for payments and fees. The page shows which model is active for your listings. If the details are unclear, Airbnb support can help you. Since your fee model affects your calculation, check it before you compare Airbnb bookings with direct bookings, as the worked example in this article illustrates.
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