Is the Guest Service Fee flat 12% or between 6-12%?

[Jeet0]

Hello,

I have completed almost 50 reservations now and have noticed that in all the bookings, Airbnb has charged the guests 12% Service fee.

The site states that it charges between 6% to 12%, but I haven't come across any instance where the fee was less than 12%. In some cases, due to the currency conversions probably, the service fee is greater than 12%, that's something not expected as well.

Twice I have booked with Airbnb myself as a guest and during those trips as well I was charged 12%

I was wondering if anyone has experienced otherwise. If not, and if Airbnb is charging a flat 12% fee irrespective of the 'factors' when shouldn't it be stated like that on the site? 

Waiting to hear your thought 🙂

Jeet

[Dave-and-Deb0 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jeet0,

Here are two articles that cover this.  It appears the longer the stay, the less of a percentage you are charged.  Also note, that it does say that the "Service fees for guests typically range between 6-12% but can be higher or lower depending on the specifics of the reservation."  Notice the "BUT" @Jeet0.

Here are two articles on it:

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/384/what-are-the-service-fees

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/104/what-are-guest-service-fees

Dave

[Sarah221]

As a host I am trying to see how much a guest would or has been charged for staying at my place. I want to take this into consideration in setting the price. How do I see this? 

Thanks in advance. 

Sarah 

[Dave-and-Deb0]

Hi @Jeet0,

Check out this post: https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Tips-Tricks/A-Breakdown-of-Airbnb-Guest-Fees-A-Community-Help-Guide/...

Dave

[Jeet0]

Thanks @Dave-and-Deb0, I knew about more the amount less the fee rule but thanks for providing the values 🙂

I'm going to book a month long stay for 4 at different cities in Europe, I know individual booking values won't qualify for Service fee % discount, but will give it a try by asking Airbnb, if they can give any consideration. Will update accordingly.

Jeet

[Richard9]

I have been led to believe that the fee is only 3 percent of the rental amount.  Am I missing something?

Richard

[Dave-and-Deb0]

Hi @Richard9,

The host fee is 3%. The guest fee is 6-12% but can be higher.

Dave

[Susan0]

The 3% is the host side...what Airbnb deducts from your $$ as a service charge.  The 6-12% is what they charge guests on top of your listing rate.

[Judy26]

Hi Airbnb community ~ In SW Washington just outside of the Portland OR Metro our host service fee is 3%

[Judy26]

I would be curious to find out what they charge as the Guest Service Fee, can anyone give direction on how to find out or .. would I have to book my own place then cancel to find out. Be good to know for pricing out our location.  I'm sure that could affect our bookings. Glad I looked at this post. Thanks Airbnb community.

[Dave-and-Deb0]

Hi @Judy26,

The "host" fee is 3% everywhere.

Here is a guide I made on the breakdown of fees: https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Tips-Tricks/A-Breakdown-of-Airbnb-Guest-Fees-A-Community-Help-Guide/...

Here is a help guide I made on finding out what a guest pays: https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Tips-Tricks/How-Much-Does-a-Guest-Pay-A-How-To-Guide/m-p/24677#M1145

You can find all the Community Help Guides here: https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Getting-Started/Community-Help-Guides/m-p/23100#U23100

Good luck @Judy26 

Dave

[Avelino0]

I agree this sounds like a SCAM, I am a host and just did a reservation for

40 days they clearly state that long term reservations  bring down

this percentage ,that is a flat LIE they charged both guest/host

12 % because at the end they are deducting the amount from us the host.

We as a group of people need to make everyone aware what they 

are doing.

Avelino

[Heather188]

It is frustrating to see us lose bookings even at extremely low costs becuase of the excessive booking fees to the guests.  It keeps our prices artificially low.

[Mario620]

Until last month, service fee was between 6.6% and 11.9%. Depending on the periods (low season higher service fee %, high season lower service fee %). As of today, all dates in my property have an amazing 12.9% service fee.

No wonder prices are higher than in Booking.com...

I don't think it's smart on their side keep on changing service fee % without notifying the host.

Today I adjusted the prices BUT until I relized they bumped up the % fee the prices in AirBnb were higher than in other websites.

Regards,

Mario

[Gotzone2]

I am in the process of trying to understand the difference in charges for both host and guest for the two main platforms we use.... Airbnb and Home Away so that I can make an educated decision for us and our guests???  but it is hopeless.... when your service fee fluctuates it is impossible to work it out unless you work at Airbnb or Home Away?  The host charges are more understandable but unless I go to book a property as a guest I cannot see what it will cost me in service charge????  Not so cool.  Maybe I am missing something?