10/22/2026
🏡 A LOT IS CHANGING IN THE VACATION RENTAL WORLD — AND TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING!
If you travel and book vacation rentals, understanding what’s happening behind the scenes can help you make informed choices and save money.
Here’s what’s going on:
AIRBNB: From 3% to 15.5% fees for owners
A few months ago, Airbnb began moving hosts to a single-fee structure, increasing the host commission from 3% to 15.5% Airbnb no longer charges a separate guest service fee under this structure, but that doesn't mean the cost has disappeared.
The 15.5% fee comes out of the host's payout and applies to the nightly rate and fees such as cleaning fees. To maintain their earnings, hosts have to raise their prices.
Do you realize Airbnb is taking 15.5% out of the cleaners’ pay?! That’s their hard-earned living wage! I will cover that cost and pass it on to the guest, but I strongly believe Airbnb should not be taking a single cent from my cleaners’ wages. The people doing the hard work deserve to be paid fairly, and their livelihood should not be compromised by these fees.
All this means higher prices for travelers, and higher taxes because of the increased rental price. Depending on the property and tax rate, the overall increase can be significant — potentially around 20%++
And I wish that were all…
AIRBNB'S NEW HOST POLICIES
Airbnb has also announced policy changes affecting rental agreements, guest identity verification, checkout tasks, and house rules.
These changes restrict what hosts can require of guests. For example, hosts generally cannot require a separate rental agreement, security deposit or collect guest identification. Even physically checking an ID is subject to conditions.
Airbnb is also restricting certain checkout requirements, such as check in/out times, asking guests to load the dishwasher or take out the trash. Owners rules are limited to Airbnb conditions.
For those of us trusting strangers with our homes, these changes raise serious concerns about how much control we have over protecting our properties.
Without a contract our properties can be trashed, have loud parties and the police have no authority to evict them and we have no way to recoup the damages unless we trust Airbnb with that. 🤭
Airbnb also decided we could no longer limit daytime guests or type of pet allowed if we allowed pets.
VRBO: Went from 5% to 12%
VRBO is following suit. For hosts on its pay-per-booking model, the commission is increasing from 5% to 12%, effective October 29, 2026. Hosts on annual subscription plans are being transitioned when their subscriptions expire.
And yes, VRBO is still charging travelers a separate service fee on top of the rental price!
BOOKINGCOM: 15% OR MORE
Bookingcom commissions can run 15% or higher, depending on the property's agreement and arrangement.
WHO ENDS UP PAYING FOR ALL THESE FEE INCREASES?
The hosts aren't simply going to absorb these costs. Many will raise their prices to make up the difference.
And when prices rise, travelers can end up paying more, including potentially paying taxes on the higher rental amount.
💡 WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Book direct whenever you can!
Here's how:
1. Find a vacation rental you like on Airbnb or VRBO.
2. Look for the name of the property, or management company.
3. Google that name and see whether you can find its direct-booking website.
4. Compare the total price, including cleaning fees, taxes, and other charges.
When you book directly with the legitimate owner or property manager, you may avoid some third-party platform fees and save money. Depending on the property, the savings could be 20% or more.
Just make sure you're booking through a legitimate website and understand the payment and cancellation policies.
WE ALL HAVE SOME DECISIONS TO MAKE HERE.
As travelers, we need to be smarter about where we book.
As hosts, we need to decide whether these platforms are still worth the fees and restrictions they impose.
Yes, I'm still listed on those sites but I ask you - book direct!
Please share this with anyone who travels or books vacation rentals. They deserve to know what's happening — and that there may be a better, more affordable way to book!
