Air Host Service Fee

[Arks]

Maybe this has been there for a while, but I just noticed that, in addition to charging the guest a service fee, Air is now charging the host a 3% host service fee that they deduct from the host's payout. So I'll be raising my Air rates 3%.

 

[Morticia]

Forever. You have to raise your rate more than the 3% to get your full rack rate. I think they started in other countries, but air is charging the full 15% to the host and nothing to the guest. That’s something to keep an eye on.

 

[Momma Smurf]

Maybe this has been there for a while, but I just noticed that, in addition to charging the guest a service fee, Air is now charging the host a 3% host service fee that they deduct from the host's payout. So I'll be raising my Air rates 3%.

Yes, they have been charging us 3% since we joined. However, I consider this a great deal, as we avoid a 2.3-3.0% credit card fee, so it's virtually a wash!!

 

[An Old Tavernkeeper]

I set my Air fees at our rate plus a $30 cleaning fee. I make my description so that unless they are a dull knife they can find us online easily and see they will save a ton by booking direct. If they do book through Air, as nearly 100 do each year, and they are American then I give them the 'you never add a middle man and save money' lecture. If they are foreign I just smile.

 

[Roxanne Trees]

I set my Air fees at our rate plus a $30 cleaning fee. I make my description so that unless they are a dull knife they can find us online easily and see they will save a ton by booking direct. If they do book through Air, as nearly 100 do each year, and they are American then I give them the 'you never add a middle man and save money' lecture. If they are foreign I just smile.

I like the way you think.

 

[CoffeeTreks]

Forever. You have to raise your rate more than the 3% to get your full rack rate. I think they started in other countries, but air is charging the full 15% to the host and nothing to the guest. That’s something to keep an eye on.

Yes, for us they started charging 15% all to the host and nothing to the guest (we are not in the US) a couple months ago. The factor here is if you are managing rates and availability via a channel manager or not. If you are doing through a channel manager, they charge you 15%.

It felt so under the table that, of course, I immediately raised our rates to Air customers.

 

[MRA]

I set my Air fees at our rate plus a $30 cleaning fee. I make my description so that unless they are a dull knife they can find us online easily and see they will save a ton by booking direct. If they do book through Air, as nearly 100 do each year, and they are American then I give them the 'you never add a middle man and save money' lecture. If they are foreign I just smile.

Not sure I understand. You only add $30 (cleaning fee) to your AirB price, but people save a ton of money by booking direct. Is the extra $30 in Airb the savings you are referring too if they book direct?

 

[An Old Tavernkeeper]

Not sure I understand. You only add $30 (cleaning fee) to your AirB price, but people save a ton of money by booking direct. Is the extra $30 in Airb the savings you are referring too if they book direct?

Example: What the customer pays
Book through us directly $149 plus about $15 in taxes = guest pays total of $164 for one night
Net to us $149
Book through Airbnb $149 plus $30 cleaning fee plus $36 fee to airbnb plus taxes of about $18 = guest pays total of $233
Net to us $170

I word my listings on Airbnb so that anyone with a brain can use google and find us. If they do they save almost $70

 

[GoodScout]

Would love to see your wording....

 

[Morticia]

Would love to see your wording....

My listing states we’re a licensed b&b and there’s a photo of the sign. However, we’ve found that it’s the rare person who will ‘take a chance’ on a b&b when they can book an Airbnb room instead.

I’ve also had guests argue with me that there are no fees and it’s cheaper to book thru air.

 

[GoodScout]

Yeah, we have Air and OTA guests who don't believe me when I tell them they're paying more. I just shrug my shoulders.