How to Avoid Booking Fees as a Short-Term Rental Host
Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com have revolutionized short-term rentals by making it easy to get discovered by guests. But convenience comes at a cost—hefty booking fees that reduce your income as a host.
If you’re searching for the best way to avoid booking fees and boost your profits, direct bookings are the answer. By cutting out third-party commissions, vacation rental owners can take full control of their earnings and build a more sustainable rental business.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to avoid booking fees, attract more guests, and keep more money in your pocket.
What Are OTA Booking Fees and How Much Do They Cost You?
Most short-term rental platforms charge both hosts and guests. Hosts typically pay 3% to 15%, while guests pay between 5% and 20%. That’s money you could be reinvesting in your property or pocketing as profit.
Let’s say you host a property that earns $2,000 per month in bookings through an OTA. If you’re paying a 15% fee, that’s $300 every month—$3,600 per year—going straight to a third-party platform. Multiply that across multiple properties, and the cost becomes staggering.
By learning how to avoid booking fees through alternative methods like direct bookings, hosts can significantly increase their yearly earnings and reduce dependency on platforms with ever-changing policies.
Why Direct Bookings Matter for Vacation Rental Owners
- Higher Profit Margins: Avoiding commissions means more money per booking.
- Stronger Guest Relationships: Direct communication builds trust and encourages repeat bookings.
- More Control Over Policies: Set your own rules, cancellation terms, and payment methods.
- Better Brand Visibility: Promote your property under your own brand, not the OTA’s.
- Increased Flexibility: Want to waive a fee or add a last-minute discount? With direct bookings, you can act fast without needing platform approval.
Join our BETA platform and connect with guests without intermediaries
Proven Ways to Increase Direct Bookings for Your Short-Term Rental
Launch a High-Converting Website: Your site should include professional photos, clear rates, availability calendars, and a simple booking system.
Leverage Social Media Marketing: Use Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to showcase your space, share guest reviews, and drive traffic to your website.
Email Past Guests: Build an email list and send special offers or loyalty discounts.
Offer Direct Booking Incentives: Perks like free early check-in or a welcome gift can motivate guests to book direct.
Optimize for Local SEO: Make sure your website appears in local search results when people look for vacation rentals in your area. Use keywords like “avoid booking fees in [your city]” or “direct rental in [destination].”
Best Platform for Direct Bookings
Using a platform like DirectBookMe gives you the tools to streamline your direct booking strategy. Our platform helps you:
Eliminate OTA commissions
Create a stunning property profile
Accept payments securely
Reach guests searching for direct rental deals
Avoid booking fees entirely by connecting directly with your target audience
Whether you’re a new host or a seasoned pro, using DirectBookMe is one of the most effective ways to avoid booking fees and grow your short-term rental business sustainably.
Conclusion
Avoiding OTA booking fees is one of the fastest ways to boost your short-term rental income. By shifting your strategy toward direct bookings, you’ll gain control, maximize your revenue, and build a loyal guest base. With fewer middlemen and more personal engagement, your rental business becomes stronger and more profitable.
Remember, every booking fee you avoid goes straight into your pocket. So why keep giving away a percentage of your income? Take charge of your business today.
Take Control of Your Bookings Today
Create your free DirectBookMe profile and start saving on fees while growing your rental business. Learn how to avoid booking fees and keep your profits where they belong—with you.
