The split fee is Airbnb's original commission structure, in which the cost of the platform is shared between the host and the guest. The host pays 3% of the booking subtotal (4% in Brazil and Mexico, and more for some Plus listings or strict cancellation policies), while the guest pays a separate service fee that typically runs from 14.1% to 16.5%, with most bookings near the lower end. Both charges are calculated on the booking subtotal, which is the nightly price plus host-set fees such as cleaning, and excludes taxes and the guest service fee itself. Airbnb has announced that the split fee will retire for all remaining hosts on September 15, 2026, and on October 13, 2026 in the European Economic Area, after which those hosts move to the host-only model.
Why this matters for property managers
Choosing between commission models directly changes both the payout a host keeps and the total price a guest sees at checkout, which in turn affects conversion. Under this structure the guest-facing price rises while the host's deduction shrinks, so the same nightly rate produces a different net result and a different competitive position on the platform. Operators who model each option against their pricing and their market can protect margin without unknowingly inflating the price that pushes bookers toward a cheaper-looking competitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the split fee?
What is the split fee calculated on?
When does the split fee go away?
Do Vrbo and Booking.com use a split fee too?
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