Avoiding AirBNB & VRBO Fees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t use AirBnB or VRBO to book houses to rent. Use those platforms to search properties and then book directly with owner to avoid the ridiculous fees. You’ll have to get around the algorithms on these platforms that try very hard to prevent this but most homes are listed on multiple sites and savvy owners know how to list their phone number cryptically or have their own website as well if they know the game. It takes a little sleuthing but well worth it. And I’ve found owners are very receptive as they save money as well. I’ve been doing this for years and have saved thousands in fees. Is anyone else doing this?

No, because I’m not poor, and this sounds like a huge time suck PITA.

[Anonymous]

We used rentals when are kids were little and we wanted to put them down for naps and early bedtimes. But we’ve since stopped for 2 main reasons:

I don’t like the checkout “procedures” often required and I don’t like the cancellation policies. I also don’t want to be charged if they think a hand towel is missing or I put the stain on the couch that was already there. Now that my kids are older, hotels are much less stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m an active Airbnb/Vrbo host and I am receptive to it to a degree.

How do you deal with a potential renter that doesn't have any reviews? Do you have a basic form rental agreement you make them sign?

I did once rent a place directly from the owner, but that was after I had stayed at another home the same person owned through Airbnb.

I would not rent off-platform for someone without reviews.

So they reach out through Airbnb platform, you confirm their reviews, and then take things to email/text to transact? Honestly just wondering the mechanics.

Correct. And I go by the reviews and communications to determine if I am willing to go off-platform. Some of it is just gut instinct - either too demanding or entitled or needy and I won’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes Airbnb has a better cancellation policy than the direct online platform. Whenever that is the case, I will pay a little bit extra to use Airbnb.

[Anonymous]

I have a vacation home I rent occasionally on Airbnb but I also post it in my local list serve and prefer to rent privately to people through that. They are usually friends of friends and always people who live in my neighborhood so it feels safer. My husband is a lawyer so we have a rental agreement and waiver they have to sign and we’ve never had issues. It saves us both money.

[Anonymous]

As a guest, I have done this when a local real estate agency was managing rentals in a certain rural area and used Airbnb/VRBO for marketing purposes. The management agency had lots of very positive reviews on Google.

As a renter, I would do a side deal with a repeat host. For instance, a beach house where I wanted to rent the same week next year. Totally makes sense to do a direct transaction with the owner and save on fees.

As a host, I'd only do it with a repeat guest with a positive experience or a friend-of-a-friend.

[Anonymous]

We are vrbo owners and only do this for previous renters and friends/family. We wouldn’t do it for a new unknown renter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, because there are plenty of bad hosts out there. We’ve switched back to hotels, booking two rooms if we need to. Cost is similar to the quality of Airbnb we would be booking, but many more amenities and far better service.

I can get a lovely two bedroom place on airbnb practically anywhere for $200-$250 per night. Pretty sure two good hotel rooms will be more than that.

Not if you’re savvy with credit card points. My family stayed in two nice hotel rooms in Dublin last summer for free (2 rooms for 3 nights) using a combination of points and free night reward certificates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t use AirBnB or VRBO to book houses to rent. Use those platforms to search properties and then book directly with owner to avoid the ridiculous fees. You’ll have to get around the algorithms on these platforms that try very hard to prevent this but most homes are listed on multiple sites and savvy owners know how to list their phone number cryptically or have their own website as well if they know the game. It takes a little sleuthing but well worth it. And I’ve found owners are very receptive as they save money as well. I’ve been doing this for years and have saved thousands in fees. Is anyone else doing this?

I wouldn't know how to go about doing that.

[Anonymous]

I have done this and it worked fine.

I love AirBNB/VRBO for traveling in foreign countries. We have stayed at some awesome properties and some “good enough” places, and had no issues. Even when we stay with. Host who doesn’t speak English, we can get by on Google translate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No protection from scams/shit hosts that way. High risk.

This goes both ways. As a host, I’d rather have the guest that is willing to pay a little more for the protection. We get a lot of people on AirBnb hinting to contact them off of the platform. I’m sure there are plenty who will but we give discounts through the app…. And as a guest, I’m Not willing to deal with anyone shady enough to try to get past the system and be “cryptic”. If they’ll do that, what other rules are they willing to break.

[Anonymous]

AirBnB owner here. I won't go off-site for a first-time renter - don't like the risk of a scam or something bad happening to my place. But once a guest has stayed there once, if they want to come back, I will rent directly to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used rentals when are kids were little and we wanted to put them down for naps and early bedtimes. But we’ve since stopped for 2 main reasons:

I don’t like the checkout “procedures” often required and I don’t like the cancellation policies. I also don’t want to be charged if they think a hand towel is missing or I put the stain on the couch that was already there. Now that my kids are older, hotels are much less stressful.

Except for the time our dog ate the owner's antique chair, we've never been charged for anything. Dozens of experiences. The cancellation policies vary by rental. Choose one you're comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, because there are plenty of bad hosts out there. We’ve switched back to hotels, booking two rooms if we need to. Cost is similar to the quality of Airbnb we would be booking, but many more amenities and far better service.

I can get a lovely two bedroom place on airbnb practically anywhere for $200-$250 per night. Pretty sure two good hotel rooms will be more than that.

Not if you’re savvy with credit card points. My family stayed in two nice hotel rooms in Dublin last summer for free (2 rooms for 3 nights) using a combination of points and free night reward certificates.

We use our credit cards points on the flights to get to the destination.

[Anonymous]

This arrangement only benefits the renter. As a host I don't see why I would do this to save a 3% fee on my end. As a renter you have a 16% fee which goes to airbnb but has nothing to do with the host. And occupancy tax. Which, again, hosts have nothing to do with that.