Just received an email with Airbnb updated TOS:
”Starting April 1, 2024, for cross-currency bookings, the guest service fee will include an additional amount of up to 2% of the booking total before taxes. This will be applied when the currency the guest uses to pay differs from the currency that the Host set for their listing.”
Perhaps they’re only following what other rentals are doing but it stings and is not necessary. It’s just one more money grab that many companies are taking advantage of.
I have 5 Airbnbs reserved for a 3 week international trip in June and this will add yet another $100 to my total. That’s the cost of one very nice dinner out. And I’m already over budget thanks to escalating airfares.
I will think again before I book another Airbnb for international travel.
EDITED: Now I’m confused. Going back through this board it would appear that a 3% rate for cross-currency was already in effect. But it wasn’t “transparent”. Meaning, a guest only learns of it in the booking total page.