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Airbnb to shift all US hosts to a new 15.5% fee structure

Airbnb says the change takes effect Sept. 15, replacing a split model that charged hosts 3% of the booking subtotal and guests a separate service fee at checkout.

Reported · Written up by our desk · M&A & Deals

Airbnb will move all U.S. hosts to a new fee structure by Sept. 15, the company says. The update replaces the prior approach where hosts generally paid a service fee equal to 3% of the booking subtotal, while guests paid a separate service fee at checkout ranging from 14.1% to 16.5% on top of the nightly price.

Under the new system, hosts will pay a single 15.5% service fee, with no separate service fee added for guests at checkout. Airbnb says the change is intended to give guests clearer upfront pricing, which the company believes could help drive demand and benefit hosts.

The shift could pressure some hosts to adjust their listed prices to preserve payouts. CNBC Markets cites AirDNA analysis showing that when an earlier cohort of hosts was moved to the new structure last year, about 30% raised prices enough to fully offset the higher fee and another 30% partially offset it.

Hosts have responded in different ways, with some complaining on host forums and considering leaving the platform or switching to long-term rentals, while others say they are raising listed prices to keep guest totals roughly steady. CNBC Markets also reports that short term rental operators note the economics can be sensitive to multiple factors, including demand, operating costs, and local regulations.

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