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Where do most of your bookings come from?
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:12 pm
by susanj
We are in the US and have been on VRBO for 18 years for one property and 13 years the other. We added Airbnb 3 years ago and already it's overtaken VRBO. 70-80% of our bookings. I'm not really sure why. They both have a traveler service fee and Airbnb's is actually a larger percentage.
In New Zealand, Airbnb has discontinued the traveler service fee and instead charging hosts 15%! It is coming to parts of the U.S. in November.
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 2:57 pm
by Joanna
ABB dropping the traveller fee has been on the cards for a while. Seems to me that it's just a marketing exercise to make guests think they're getting better value. In reality, surely all the owners will put their base prices up to cancel out the increase so guests will end up paying the same as before? That's what we'll do (if we go back to ABB).
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 7:43 pm
by susanj
At first I suppose Vrbo travelers will switch to Airbnb since it’ll cost them less. Until Airbnb hosts start raising their prices.
But can you imagine increasing your price 15%?!
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:22 pm
by Joanna
But can you imagine increasing your price 15%?!
Yes - ABB guests have already shown that they'll pay it. When we first listed with them I was amazed that guests would pay what I was charging PLUS the booking fee.
Guests will end up paying the same as they are now and we'll end up earning the same as we do now. The only difference is that ABB will be earning all their commission from us and none from the guest. I wonder if that will make them a bit more focused on keeping owners happy? Probably not.