Two fee structures
Airbnb has two ways of charging:
- Split fee: the host pays 3% (4% in Brazil and Mexico), and the guest pays a service fee on top.
- Single fee (host-only): the host pays the whole fee - 15.5% for most hosts, typically 14% to 16% for others, and 16% in Brazil and Mexico. The guest pays no separate service fee.
Airbnb says the single fee is "mandatory for most hosts, including traditional hospitality listings (e.g., hotels, serviced apartments, etc.), hosts who use property management software, and hosts in countries subject to this fee structure", and that it is moving all home hosts to it.
What it means in numbers
On a $1,500 stay, a 15.5% host-only fee is $232.50. To take home the same $1,500, the price on Airbnb has to be about $1,775 ($1,500 divided by 0.845).
The guest now sees one all-in price, so your listing looks more expensive next to hosts still on the split fee, until they move too.
What it means for direct bookings
On a booking made on your own site, there is no platform fee. You pay your payment provider's card fee, and whatever your booking software costs. The larger the platform fee, the more each guest who books you directly is worth - which is why the second booking, from a guest who comes back or is referred, matters. Where direct bookings come from covers how to grow it within the platforms' rules.