What is a Booking Fee?
A booking fee is a charge added to the total reservation cost for a vacation rental. It’s typically paid by the guest at the time of booking and collected by the platform facilitating the reservation (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com).
What does the booking fee cover?
Booking fees go towards a few things:
Platform Maintenance: Maintaining the online platform, website, and mobile app requires ongoing costs. The booking fee helps cover these expenses.
Payment Processing: Securely handling online payments for both guests and hosts incurs fees. The booking fee contributes to these costs.
Customer Service: Platforms offer support to both guests and hosts. The booking fee helps fund this service.
Marketing and Advertising: Platforms spend resources attracting guests and promoting listings. The booking fee can contribute to these efforts.
Do you pay a booking fee as a host?
While guests typically pay the booking fee, some platforms also charge hosts a separate service fee or commission. This fee is usually a percentage of the total booking amount and is deducted from your payout.
Do you get booking fees back?
No, booking fees are non-refundable. They are considered a service charge for using the platform to facilitate the reservation.
Why are you charged a booking fee?
By paying a booking fee, guests gain access to a secure platform for finding and booking vacation rentals. They benefit from features like reviews, guest protection policies, and secure payment processing.
Who gets the booking fee?
The booking fee goes to the platform facilitating the reservation. This fee helps them maintain and improve their service, ultimately benefiting both guests and hosts.
