Why some hosts seems to have no service fee

[Petra604]

I'm try to find out what is a appropriate price for the season and normally I'm looking to be in the price range what other host asking for.

What I don't understand why some host seems to have no service fee when you look in price break down. the nightly room price is higher as mine. but in the end the total price is less because there is no service fee included. Just would like to understand.

Thanks in advance

[Pablo629]

Dear @Petra604 it's an option to assume all fees (simplified) or to share them. Just see your settings

Regards from Bolivia

[Ethan390]

You can opt into "no service fee." They just take the fee out of your earnings.

[John2406]

@Petra604 @Pablo629 @Ethan390 I had been going to say that I didn't think that anyone (except for the host of the property) would be able to see Airbnb's Service fees to both Guests and Hosts, as such fees vary greatly upon those cost per night to Guests, and what else Guests' might be charged for (e.g. Cleaning fee, Pet fee, etc).

It was when @Pablo629 @@Ethan390 both mentioned that in Settings it was possible to opt for different actions re service fees (and when I checked my settings no such option was available to me) that I wondered whether such options only related to Hosts of "rooms", rather than to Hosts of "entire properties"?

Irrespective of what might be available, "Option" wise, to Hosts (for different types of properties), is it not the case that the Service Fee to Guests is based on one's price per night, any extra charges (such as those mentioned above) not being subject to fees? 

Put another way, if the price one charges includes those fees, one will then be charged a higher fee than if one's price DOESNT include those fees, but they are shown as separate entities to be charged?

E.G.,

Host A's price per night is 200 of which Airbnb adds their fee to Guest, so Guest will pay to Airbnb 229.

Host B's price per night is 150, but also charges 50 for Cleaning (so is 200 in total) but Airbnb adds their fee to Guest only on the 150, so Guest will pay to Airbnb (150 + 21.75 service fee + 50 😃 221.75

Hopefully those examples, will be of help, and also hopefully, I've understood correctly how Airbnb apply their service fee?

[Pablo629]

Dear @John2406 .Your examples are ok.

Guest A. Just see final price 229, and  Airbnb will take 14% and 3% from total amount . (my doubt is taxes payments)

Guest B. it's the "Old common detailed way to pay" where guest knows its 14% fee, and host pays it's 3% independently.

I have an entire apartment. Just see on payment sub menu options.

Two Service fee options ref:

https://www.airbnb.com.bo/help/article/1857/qu%C3%A9-son-las-tarifas-por-servicio-de-airbnb?_set_bev...

Regards from Bolivia 

[Petra604]

So many answer

I'm very impressed

Thanks for your answer

[Petra604]

Thanks  for your comment and time

get a better understanding for it

[Sarah977]

@John2406  Airbnb has complex algorithms that determine service fees that users are not privy to.

It isn't as simple as entire homes home-shares, the nightly price, etc. Guests have even reported that when a husband and wife both pulled up the same listing, sitting next to each other on separate devices, they each got a different price come up, so the algorithms may also take into account one's history of booking or browsing history.

No one knows exactly how the service fee is calculated or exactly what it's going to be when using the split fee option, which most hosts have historically used, except Airbnb.

[Pablo629]

Dear @Sarah977 service fees are so clear. it's 14.2% of total ammount including cleaning services.

host fee is 3%. of total ammount including cleaning services.

if you have specific cases, (please upload) we can analyze them.

Regards from Bolivia 

[Sarah977]

@Pablo629  No, sorry, that isn't true. That might be the service fee Airbnb charges guests when they book your particular listing. But Airbnb guest service fees range from about 12% to 20%.

If the host uses the host-only fee, then yes, that percentage is a constant.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Sarah977 I believe @Pablo629 is correct as that is what Airbnb tell people (I may be being gullible) except for long term stays where the fees appear more random. The only bit Pablo missed out is that the 14.2% and 3% are subject to VAT (if such a tax exists in the relevant jurisdiction).

[Sarah977]

@Mike-And-Jane0  I have read plenty of both host and guest posts where they said the guest was charged a 20% service charge. Not long term. My guests have been paying about 12%. Not long term.

[Pablo629]

Dear  @Mike-And-Jane0  you  are right.  As the post refers about fees, I excluded VAT or TAX (important but can lead to more confused answers).

Warm regards from Bolivia 

[Sarah977]

@Petra604  It's an option for the host to absorb all the fees, or split the fees. 

Of course, if you chooose the host only fee, you have to up your nightly price to cover that.

Honestly, all it is, is a marketing strategy, and it allows guests to see a total price, instead of deciding to book and then seeing how much more expensive it is when the service fee is added on. 

In the end, if the host has raised the nightly price to cover the host-only service fee, which a host would be foolish not to do, the guest ends up paying the same either way.

But some guests don't understand this, just like they sometimes complain about having to pay a cleaning fee, saying hotels don't charge a cleaning fee. 

Well, of course hotels charge for cleaning- the hotel owner doesn't pay the cleaners put of his own pocket. It's just not shown as a separate charge, it's factored into what the hotel charges per night.

[Petra604]

Thanks  for your comment and time

I get a better understanding for it