As a vacation rental host, understanding platform fees is crucial to maximizing your earnings. If you’re wondering how much does Airbnb take from hosts, or comparing it with VRBO fees, this guide will help you understand the costs involved and how to save on commissions.

Airbnb Fees: How Much Does Airbnb Take from Hosts?

Airbnb charges hosts a service fee that typically ranges from 3% to 5% of the booking subtotal, which includes the nightly rate and cleaning fees. Guests pay an additional 14% to 16% service charge. So, in total, how much does it cost to host on Airbnb? After Airbnb’s fees, hosts can expect to pay around 14% to 16% in total.

VRBO Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Host on VRBO?

On VRBO, the fee structure is slightly different. Hosts pay a 5% commission and a 3% payment processing fee. Depending on the payment model you choose (pay-per-booking or subscription), VRBO fees can range from 8% to 13%.

How to Save on Fees

Both Airbnb and VRBO charge substantial fees that eat into your profits. While these platforms offer wide exposure, the cost of doing business with them can add up quickly. If you want to save on these commissions and increase your earnings, consider other options.

Maximize Your Earnings with LinkedBooking

For those looking to minimize fees, LinkedBooking is an excellent commission-free alternative. By creating your own direct booking website, you can avoid paying platform fees entirely and have full control over your pricing and booking policies. Additionally, you can send coupons to guests to drive repeat bookings, further reducing reliance on third-party platforms and saving on additional commissions.

Legal Considerations: Protecting Yourself from Liability

When listing your property and providing information to potential guests, it's important to ensure that all details are accurate and comply with platform guidelines. While this blog provides a general overview of Airbnb fees and VRBO fees, please note that information may change over time, and the accuracy of platform fee structures is ultimately determined by each respective platform. LinkedBooking is not liable for any issues arising from inaccurate information provided by external platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. Hosts are advised to review terms and conditions of the platforms they use to ensure compliance and to protect themselves from legal claims.

Conclusion

Understanding how much does Airbnb take from hosts and how much does it cost to host on VRBO is important for managing your rental’s profitability. If you're looking to keep more of your earnings, switching to a commission-free platform like LinkedBooking could be the solution, allowing you to maximize revenue and build stronger relationships with your guests. Always ensure that you are following all relevant legal requirements and platform guidelines to protect yourself and your business.