Aloha!
Booking a vacation rental for your next trip can be exciting. However, the process can also come with hidden costs and fees. This is especially true when using popular platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. These platforms are convenient and offer a wide selection of properties. Yet, you can save significant money by booking directly with the host. Here’s a guide on how to maximize your savings by booking direct.
1. Understand Platform Fees $$$$
One of the biggest costs associated with Airbnb and Vrbo is the platform service fee. These fees are typically a percentage of the total booking cost and can range from 10% to 20% or more.
By booking directly, you eliminate these extra charges, which means you pay only for the rental and any applicable taxes. Property owners often have their own websites or direct booking options that avoid these fees altogether.
Here is an example of booking one week DIRECT vs. Airbnb vs. Vrbo
| DIRECT | AIRBNB | VRBO | |
| Nightly Rate | $499 | $499 | $499 |
| Cleaning Fee | $225 | $225 | $225 |
| Taxes | $667.83 | $667.83 | $691 |
| Platform Fee | $0 | $524.90 | $482 |
| Total | $4,385.83 | $4,910.73 | $4,891 |
| Total Savings for 1 week | $524.9 | $505.17 |
| DIRECT | AIRBNB | VRBO | |
| Nightly Rate | $499 | $499 | $499 |
| Cleaning Fee | $225 | $225 | $225 |
| Taxes | $1,295.24 | $1,295.24 | $691 |
| Platform Fee | $0 | $1,018 | $482 |
| Total | $8,506.24 | $9,524.27 | $9,172 |
| Total Savings for 2 weeks | $1,018 | $665.76 |
If you book 2 weeks, the platform fees will DOUBLE!
2. Lower Rates for Direct Bookings
Many property owners offer lower rates for direct bookings since they don’t have to pay platform commissions. Listing a property on Airbnb or Vrbo often costs hosts 15% or more in fees. These fees are passed on to travelers.
When booking directly, these savings can be passed on to you in the form of discounted nightly rates or waived cleaning fees.
3. Direct Communication with Hosts
Booking platforms can restrict direct communication between you and the host until after the reservation is confirmed. This can make it harder to negotiate prices or inquire about special discounts.
When booking directly, you’re free to discuss the terms of your stay, inquire about extended-stay discounts, or request personalized packages—all of which can help you save money.
4. Access to Special Offers
Property owners and managers often run promotions or offer perks for direct bookings. For example:
- Discounts for repeat guests.
- Special deals for last-minute bookings.
- Free upgrades or additional amenities (e.g., early check-in, late check-out).
These incentives may not be available through third-party platforms.
5. Avoid Surprise Fees
When booking through Airbnb or Vrbo, you might encounter additional fees such as:
- Service fees.
- Taxes on the service fees.
While some of these fees are unavoidable, direct bookings often have clearer and more transparent pricing. Hosts may also be more flexible with waiving or reducing certain fees when booking directly.
6. Leverage Local Vacation Rental Websites
Many vacation rental owners list their properties on local or regional rental websites, which often charge lower fees than national platforms. Searching for these sites in your destination area can yield significant savings.
For example, instead of searching for “Airbnb in [destination],” try searching “vacation rentals in [destination]” to find direct booking options.
7. Use Social Media
Many vacation rental owners promote their properties on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Following hashtags like #[Destination]VacationRentals or #[CityNameRentals] can lead you to direct booking opportunities. Hosts often offer exclusive discounts to their social media followers.
8. Pay Attention to Cancellation Policies
One advantage of booking directly is the possibility of more flexible cancellation policies. Airbnb and VRBO require hosts to adhere to their platform’s policies, which can sometimes be rigid. When booking directly, you may have more room to negotiate cancellation terms or get a refund.
9. Build a Relationship with the Host
If you’re a frequent traveler, booking directly helps you build a rapport with the host . Repeat guests often get loyalty discounts, priority bookings, and personalized recommendations, making each trip more affordable and enjoyable.
10. Be Wary of Scams
While booking directly can save money, it’s important to verify the legitimacy of the rental to avoid scams. Here’s how:
- Check tax records to verify ownership.
- Check reviews or testimonials on third-party sites.
- Use secure payment method (e.g., credit card or PayPal).
- Make sure the property has a legitimate business website or social media presence.
- Trust your instincts; if a deal seems too good to be true, it might be.
Final Thoughts:
Airbnb and Vrbo are great for browsing and discovering vacation rentals. However, booking directly with the host can save you hundreds of dollars. Take the time to research direct booking options. Verify their legitimacy. Reach out to property owners to negotiate better deals.
By doing so, you’ll save money. You’ll also enjoy a more personalized and transparent booking experience for your next dream vacation.
Mahalo!
