BiggerPockets Daily Airbnb Makes Huge Change to Host Fees
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Sep 3, 2025 Airbnb is shifting to a standardized 15.5% host-only fee, significantly impacting host earnings. This change comes in response to new FTC regulations, leaving many wondering about their revenue from bookings. With cleaning fees now included in commissions, hosts may face even steeper losses. The conversation highlights why direct bookings have become essential for maximizing profits. Strategies to establish direct booking systems are discussed, as well as the importance of adapting to the evolving short-term rental landscape.
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Host-Only 15.5% Fee Hits Payouts
- Airbnb is changing to a standardized host-only fee of about 15.5%, shifting costs from guests to hosts.
- That fee now applies to nightly rate, cleaning, and extra charges so payouts drop unless hosts adjust pricing.
All-In Pricing Hides Fees But Cuts Margins
- All-in pricing bundles cleaning into the nightly rate so guests see a cleaner total price but hosts lose margin.
- A $150 all-in listing faces a ~15.5% commission, cutting payout roughly $20 per $150 booking if prices stay the same.
Reprice Or Adjust PMS Markups
- Hosts should raise listed prices or increase markup settings in PMS by ~15.5% to preserve margins.
- Adjust cleaning and extra fees into the nightly rate so commissions don't unexpectedly erode profit.