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When a $104-a-night vacation rental more than doubles with an $89 cleaning fee and a $42 service fee, it’s time to ask: Is there a better way?
The answer is: partially.
While it’s unlikely to avoid the cleaning fee, which is ubiquitous and makes short stays costly, you can save on the service fee charged by booking platforms by reserving directly with the host.
Booking directly comes with rewards and risks. Here’s how to find and vet short-term rental listings to avoid service fees.
The Appeal of Direct Bookings
Booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo charge service fees that generally run 12 to 16 percent of the total. Direct bookings avoid these fees, saving money.
“By booking direct, you’re avoiding opaque service fees that platforms overlay on the price,” said Tommy Ciaccio, head of business development for North America at Avantio, a vacation rental management software company.
Hosts also pay smaller fees to platforms—Airbnb charges hosts 3 percent—which they can avoid with direct bookings. Many hosts mimic the same cancellation policies they maintain with third-party bookings.
For example, Bob Garner, who rents six apartments in Italy’s Marches region, reports that nearly 90 percent of his bookings are direct, saving thousands of euros annually on third-party fees.
Vetting the Host
Online travel agencies like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com actively try to root out false listings, but sending money to a one-off website requires caution. Carefully vetting the host is crucial.
Mark Simpson, founder of Boostly, recommends ensuring direct booking websites are certified by I-Prac, an international certification agency that verifies rental properties’ legitimacy. Renters register their reservation with I-Prac and are reimbursed if the listing is fraudulent.
Transparency about the host or management company is also essential. “People buy from people,” Simpson said. “Showcase you and your team and show that you’re real and have reviews.”
For suspicious properties, conduct a reverse image search on Google to verify the photos. Additionally, use communication with the host as a gauge. Unresponsive hosts might not be scammers, but they are not a good sign.
Beware of hosts with fully nonrefundable booking policies. Even restrictive policies on major platforms usually offer a refund within 48 hours of booking. Always pay with a credit card for better fraud protection.
Finding Direct Bookings
Finding rentals directly from an owner is challenging due to the convenience of major platforms. However, many hosts and property managers are investing in direct booking tools for greater control.
Property managers use SEO to improve their website’s search result rankings. Google encourages vacation rental managers to list properties and prices on its site. Searching Google Travel or Google Maps may turn up vacation rentals that link to direct booking sites.
Users can also search for rentals on platforms, find a listing they like, and then search for that property’s dedicated website.
Hosts and managers often leave clues in their listings to search for the property directly. For instance, they might give the house a name in the description or include personalized items in listing photos.
Simpson advises clients to use personalized items like logoed pillowcases or plaques in kitchen photos that encourage guests to search for direct bookings.
If you’ve stayed at a short-term rental before and want to return, contact the owner, host, or manager directly to save third-party fees.
Source: nytimes
