The host-only fee, also called simplified pricing, is Airbnb's model in which the host absorbs the full platform cost through one deduction from the payout. The fee is around 15.5% for most hosts, ranging from 14% to 16% and reaching 16% in Brazil and Mexico, and it is calculated on the booking subtotal of the nightly price plus host-set fees such as cleaning, excluding taxes. Because the guest sees no separate Airbnb service fee, hosts moving from the split model usually raise their nightly rates by roughly the size of the old guest fee to keep the same payout. Host-only is mandatory for listings connected through property management software, which Airbnb migrated worldwide by April 13, 2026, and for traditional-hospitality listings such as hotels. It becomes the only option for all remaining hosts on September 15, 2026, and on October 13, 2026 in the European Economic Area.
Why this matters for property managers
Shifting the entire commission onto the host makes the price guests see look lower and more competitive, which can lift conversion and visibility on the platform, but the operator absorbs a heavier cut. Whether the trade works depends on pricing the higher cost into the nightly rate without pushing yourself out of the market. Choose this model without adjusting rates and you hand away margin; use it deliberately and you can win bookings that a guest-facing fee would have deterred.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the host-only fee?
Do guests pay a service fee under host-only?
Is the host-only fee mandatory for me?
How does this compare with Vrbo and Booking.com?
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