Have you ever noticed both Airbnb and Vrbo only use the words "Service Fee" in their price detail breakdown? And neither site puts their company name in front of it?
At a glance travelers can easily assume the "service fee" is charged by the host. Take a look at what travelers are shown during Airbnb's checkout. (Click on the image to view the full photo).
In the screenshot it's not crystal clear the service fee is being paid to Airbnb for using their platform. Now, take a look at Vrbo's traveler service fee below. Notice the traveler has to hover over the "?" symbol to learn more information.
Guests should clearly understand what money their host receives, and which of their fees they arebeing paid to a 3rd party platform. Guests may believe they paid YOU several hundred or thousands more than you received, and their expectations for your accommodations could be very high. This is why it's always a good idea to include a detailed price breakdown in your guest rental agreement.
Don't forget to educate departing guests to always google a vacation property's name to find the best rate. Join Book Direct University facebook group.
