I am AirBnB host for aprox one year. i am also hosting on other booking portals.
Here are few facts for comparisment from MY POINT OF VIEW:
Other booking portals charge the host for their services at least 15% of the total booking amount (Guest doesn't see that and most of them are not aware of it). That is basicly the classic pricing model.
AirBnB took this strategy diffrently: the GUEST pays those extra % for AirBnB services. Host around 3%. Also only one unit per listing is "allowed" on AirBnB, which is also very interesting, I am selling one room instead of 12 that I have. This made me, to reduce the rate even more. I take this as a "sacrifice" one out of twelve in a return for more bookings, reveiws, search optimization and superhost status.
What does that mean for me as a host on AirBnB?
I had to reduce my rates on AirBnB at least 15%, so that it is "fair" comparing my listings on other portals. I reduced (smart pricing) even more because I was kind of "forced" in: to be more competitive, to acumulate as much bookings as possible.
So basicly with this strategy I am not able to motivate the guest to book directly with me, it's not worth of the effort with possible penalties if "cought" and puting at risk potential "superhost" status.
So with other words, AirBnB managed to reduce "guest stealing" with this feature and basicly the hosts need to lower their rates to be more competitive. So from my point of view is kind of the same (I don't have to pay 15% to AirBnB), but i did reduce my rates... so its more or less the same.
*Example for my listing*
Bungalow Deluxe, 1 night, two persons (low season):
AirBnB rate: 65,00€ + 11,00€ (service fee) = guest pays 76,00eur (city tax included) | my profit: 60,00€
Booking, Expedia rate: 80,00€ + city tax = guest pays 82,54eur | my profit: 68,00€
Book directly rate: 80,00€ - 10% promo code "BOOKOFF10" = guest pays 72,00eur (city tax included) | my profit: 70,00€
🙂