@M199
Well of course Airbnb are going to hope that you will see this as a great initiative that will increase the number of bookings you get, which should offset that 12% hit you are going to have to take on every night you host from that point, and they hope you will not increase your listing amount!
If you can afford to take a 12% pay cut, good on you......most hosts can't! It's not just the 12% for the service fee, couple that with the 15% length of stay discount you are encouraged to give and you could be almost 30% out of pocket! Very few hosts can afford that, they don't make that much!
To the host who maybe has 3 or 4 bookings a month for a bit of extra money on the side and doesn't use Airbnb in a professional sense they might consider this a good deal. But if you already have a moderately full calendar you will of course increase your price to offset the loss of revenue and in all probability your attractiveness to potential guests will decrease along with your bookings.
It's a strong bet Airbnb will promote on their search pages hosts who opt for the 'no service fees' option because it makes them look like the good guys.....it makes them look like they are doing something for nothing, while at the same time making hosts look like they are asking exorbitant amounts for their properties.
And as @Sarah977 says, the cancellation issue is going to be a minefield for hosts!
Once again the only winners here are Airbnb!
Cheers.......Rob