It seems that Airbnb is in trouble - too many fees. A room that lists for $98 becomes $414 for two nights with the fees. There is a substantial rebellion against what used to be a cheap alternative to hotels. I used Airbnb once a few years ago - nice room at a nice price. It cost $50.89 for several large rooms in NJ.
Yes, adding the commission/fee, plus the cleaning fee, etc. makes it expensive for very short stays.
In addition, they now have to pay taxes in several places where they didn't initially.
It was a great alternative to stuffy hotels. The only way to make it work now is to take friends and spit the costs. My last trip with my wife we ended up in a hotel because of exactly what you stated. When you get ready to book all the fees pop in. In my opinion it's false advertising. They should just be up front with the price to begin with but instead try to suck you in with artificially low price on the add.
juan_uy wrote:
Yes, adding the commission/fee, plus the cleaning fee, etc. makes it expensive for very short stays.
In addition, they now have to pay taxes in several places where they didn't initially.
The one I mentioned included $144 for cleaning.
jerryc41 wrote:
The one I mentioned included $144 for cleaning.
Yes, and probably is fixed for any length stay, making it very expensive for a short one.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
I’ve had exactly the same experience. Once you add in the now $100+ for cleaning, you might as well stay in a Marriott.
TriX wrote:
I’ve had exactly the same experience. Once you add in the now $100+ for cleaning, you might as well stay in a Marriott.
Stay at the Marriott regardless. You’ll be keeping people working, instead of paying off somebody else’s mortgage.
jerryc41 wrote:
It seems that Airbnb is in trouble - too many fees. A room that lists for $98 becomes $414 for two nights with the fees. There is a substantial rebellion against what used to be a cheap alternative to hotels. I used Airbnb once a few years ago - nice room at a nice price. It cost $50.89 for several large rooms in NJ.
Agree - my wife and I used Airbnb for a few years now. It seems every time we book one there are more and more fees added. Though I haven't used it yet it looks like VRBO might be a better option. It has both private and commercial listings with a very wide range of pricing options. And most (but not all) state all fees are included (but not taxes).
sb
Loc: Florida's East Coast
VRBO and the other vacation home rental sites have done the same thing. What advertises as $200 a night for a vacation home then turns into $300 or more by the time they ad their "administration fee" plus a cleaning fee which I have seen be as high as $400! I am renting a home for a vacation this summer that I rented a few years ago for a family reunion - the VRBO fees were not so crazy then. I contacted the owner directly and saved the extra fees - so although I do not need the four bedrooms, it now will cost me the same as a nearby tiny 2 bedroom house would have cost. Of course, everyone has to collect the vacation rental/hotel tax, which it seems in most areas is 9% or so.
Many realtors in vacation areas have done vacation rentals for decades, and they get a percentage from the owners, so they may now be a better option.
VRBO lists the daily rental rate, but then when you enter the dates you need, it calculates your total - which immediately shocks you because it is way more than you thought it would be. They have a link you can click for "cost details" which then pulls up a box which shows you the fees they have added on.
You have to pay attention to the fees before you book. Many an owner posts a competitive daily rate but charges much more in cleaning fees than the market they’re in, i.e. they hook you with the daily rate
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
jerryc41 wrote:
It seems that Airbnb is in trouble - too many fees. A room that lists for $98 becomes $414 for two nights with the fees. There is a substantial rebellion against what used to be a cheap alternative to hotels. I used Airbnb once a few years ago - nice room at a nice price. It cost $50.89 for several large rooms in NJ.
Everyone seems to be in absolutely everything for the money🤔🤔🤔 Anyway, Jerry, I have a picture I'd like to sell you🤪🤪🤪
jerryc41 wrote:
The one I mentioned included $144 for cleaning.
Wow! I want aware of these "Extra" fees and charges. Thanks Jerry.
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