Increase in Guest Service Fees again!!!

[Jacquie2]

I just noticed Airbnb have increased their service fees again to the guest.  It is now 16.6% which is outrageous, I am having to lower my rates again just to get bookings and am making less than I did when they had the graduated scale from 6% to 12%.

I suppose all the Covid 19 perks they are giving out, which I have seen none of, even as a super host, shows that we are paying for this, not them.

Not happy.

[Sarah977]

@Jacquie2  They may very well have increased the service fees on your listing, but service fees have been anywhere from 12-25% for quite awhile now. And there is no info on the rhyme or reason they charge this or that percentage.

[Jacquie2]

Strange as it used to be 6-12 percent a few years ago, then they changed it to 13% across the board, now it is $16.6% across the board.  Vancouver BC is only 12% yet they charge Whistler, BC a ski town 16.6%

[Sarah977]

@Jacquie2  I guess they figure people who can afford to ski Whistler can afford higher service fees .-(  I think guests pay about 12% on my private room rental here in Mexico). But I've definitely seen guest posts here where they say they were charged 20% or more on their booking somewhere. 

But I wouldn't lower my price to offset it, if I were you- they often up the service fee when the host lowers the price. Guest ends up paying the same- host earns less.

(I  lived on Vancouver Island for 25 years- I'm familiar with Whistler, although I was never a skier)

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Jacquie2 

Based on info I gathered from previous guests, the difference between what the guest actually paid to Airbnb vs. the host payout I received from Airbnb seemed to be anywhere from about 15~20%. Factoring in the 3% host service fee that is taken out before the host payout is issued, that would mean the guest service fee has been somewhere around 12~17% for my guests. 

[Adam458]

How do you figure out what the percentage is in your area?  I called once to get a total for something for a guest and it was like pulling teeth to get it out of them. 

[Sarah977]

@Adam458  You can't, really. Airbnb indeed will not release this "secret" information. In fact, it is somehow done with algorithms and I doubt any CS rep would be privy to how they work, either. And I don't think there is a set % for a certain area. I think it depends on the listing type, how many guests it accommodates, whether it's a holiday time, etc. 

You can actually see what a guest is charged by clicking on your listing "incognito", i.e. not from your account, and even, if possible on a different device than what you normally use, and enter dates, etc, as if you were a guest. You should be able to see the total a guest would pay.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Sarah977 and @Adam458 It may be different in Mexico or the USA but here in the UK if you go to calendar, highlight a few days you then have an option on the right hand side to see how much you will be paid and also how much the guest will pay.

Percentages can be worked out from this.

[Helene387]

I just raised my rate by $5/night since the demand has increased in our area.  I just took a look at my latest booking and the guest's fees totaled 28%% !!!!  Who is making all this money.  So my lousy $45/night rate for a private room with a private bath on a private for 3 nights plus $10/cleaning fee is $145 bucks.  The guest paid:

Guest Service fee $20.47, 14%  Occupational Tax $15.73, 11% and a host service fee???? of 3%, $4.35

They paid almost the price of another night in fees!! I am really annoyed and disgusted.  The guests are paying more and I'm making less and who is pocketing this additional money??  I have some repeat guests and feel awful as I have no control. Shortly we're going to drive the guests elsewhere with all these additional costs.  And it sure seems we back the guests and don't worry too much about the hosts except the bucks being made off of our work.  Another worker on front lines getting the short end of the stick.

[Sarah977]

@Helene387  The guest doesn't pay the host 3% service fee, it is deducted from your earnings. And the Occupation tax is a local tax for your area which Airbnb submits to the govt. If Airbnb didn't collect it and pay it to the govt for you, you would be required to do that yourself.

The only part Airbnb collects themselves from the guest is their service fee.

[Jacquie2]

Airbnb is paying huge dollars to coverage damage caused by guests and we are paying for it.  What is insurance for???  I have short term renters insurance.  Why dont they scrutinize their guests - I do.  Why put in people you have not screened - I dont book with anyone who does not have a review on their profile.  The responsible owners should NOT be paying for the ones who just book anyone and Airbnb has to stop paying millions for bad guests if the owners dont screen properly.