Guest Fees: AirBnB vs. VRBO

[Leigh Ann Smith]

The formula for calculating guest fees on both of these platforms is far from transparent.  Have any of you worked this out?  Which platform offers the lowest guest fees?

[John Underwood]

@Leigh Ann Smith

I have not dug into what guest fees are, but why are you asking?

Lets say one has higher fees to the guest but they consistently keep your calendar full and create a nice revenue stream. If that were the case and the guests don't seem to mind paying the fees then why would you want to know why?

I would be interested to know the answer but ultimately it doesn't affect me as much as who brings in the money for me.

I have accounts with Homeaway and Airbnb. Homeaway increased their fees and I was concerned but my business did not taper off any.

Guests did not seem to mind that I could tell.

I pay for the subscription on Homeaway because it is much cheaper due to volumn of renters I get from Homeaway.

I also get higher per night money and much much more renters using Homeaway and VRBO for my vacation house. Airbnb is almost useless for me and my property and the area I am in. I have to heavily discount my property from Homeaway prices just to get a couple rentals per year. AirBNB doesn't cost me anything since I only get charged per booking so I keep my account active.

When I travel I look at all the major travel platforms and see what the lowest out the door price on a great property that I want to stay out is for similar places and factor in the reviews.

Also location is key. 

Fees are not as important to me personally.

This is just my 2cents, and you may have a deeper reason for your question.