If you're a UK-based Airbnb host or thinking about jumping into the world of short-term rentals, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is: how much do platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com charge hosts?
Understanding platform fees is essential if you want to maximise your holiday let returns and build a profitable short-term rental investment.
What percentage does Airbnb take?
Airbnb typically charges UK hosts a 15% service fee, which is deducted from the host’s payout. This covers the cost of the platform, including marketing, payment processing, customer support, and access to Airbnb’s huge global audience.
In some cases (such as Airbnb’s “split-fee” model), hosts may pay around 3%, and guests pay the remainder – but this is becoming less common for professional hosts.
Booking.com: the commission model
Booking.com charges a 15–18% commission on each booking. Unlike Airbnb, this fee is not visible to the guest. It’s purely deducted from the host’s side. You’ll also need to manage guest communication, deposits, and cleaning fees more manually unless you're using a channel manager or property management software (PMS).
While these fees might feel steep, they reflect the platforms’ power to drive bookings. But the real question is...
How can you make that fee worth it?
A 15% slice of your earnings can feel frustrating – unless you're actively making up for it. Here’s how to take control of your profitability and offset those platform fees:
1. Use dynamic pricing
Many hosts set prices once and forget them. But short-term rental demand changes daily, by season, day of the week, local events, and more. Smart dynamic pricing adjusts your rates automatically to match demand, helping you earn more when you can and stay competitive when bookings slow down.
In fact, dynamic pricing can increase your revenue by up to 35%. Tools like Beyond automate the entire process for you.
2. Improve listing visibility
Small upgrades to your listing – professional photography, accurate amenities, and fast response rates – can push your property higher in search results. Higher visibility means more bookings, which helps dilute the impact of platform fees.
3. Encourage direct bookings
Want to keep 100% of your earnings? Start building a direct booking channel through your own website or repeat guests. Many hosts start with platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com and gradually shift loyal guests to their own platform – cutting out fees entirely. Simply advising guests they can book direct next time and save money could be enough to turn an online travel agency (OTA) guest into a direct booker.
You’re not powerless – you just need a plan
Yes, the OTAs take a percentage. But with the right strategy – dynamic pricing, strong visibility, and smart guest relationships – you can not only cover those costs but significantly boost your holiday let returns.
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