Airbnb’s New Commission Structure: What Every Host Should Know (October 2025 Update)

If you’re an Airbnb host, you’ve probably heard that Airbnb is changing how it charges fees — and it’s happening soon. Starting October 27, 2025, Airbnb will roll out a new commission model that affects how hosts and guests are charged.

But what does that really mean for you? Let’s break it down in simple terms — no jargon, just the facts (and a few Revolvio tips to help you adjust smoothly).

What’s Changing with Airbnb Fees?

Right now, Airbnb mostly uses what’s called a “split-fee” model:

• Hosts pay a small service fee (usually around 3%).

• Guests pay a separate Airbnb service fee (around 14–16%).

  
  

Here’s an example:

Let’s say your nightly rate is $100. Airbnb takes around $3 from you (the host). The guest pays $114–$116 in total (including Airbnb’s fee). So you earn about $97, and your guest pays more than your listed price.

Starting October 27, 2025 — A Big Switch

Airbnb is moving to a “host-only fee” model. That means:

• Hosts will now pay around 15.5% in fees.

• Guests will no longer pay a separate Airbnb fee — they’ll see the full price upfront.

If you’re using a Property Management System (PMS) or channel manager, this change hits on October 27, 2025.

If you’re a regular host managing listings directly through Airbnb (no PMS), you’ll switch on December 1, 2025.

There’s one small difference for Brazil, where the new host-only fee will be about 16%.

What This Means for You (Simple Example)

Let’s look at an easy side-by-side:

	Before (Split-Fee)	After (Host-Only Fee)
Listing Price	$100	$115
Airbnb Host Fee	3% ($3)	15.5% ($17.83)
Guest Pays	$114–$116	$115 (flat)
Host Receives	~$97	~$97

Your overall earnings won’t really change — but you’ll need to adjust your nightly rate to keep your income steady.

If you keep your price at $100, you’ll earn less once the 15.5% fee applies. Raising it to around $115 will bring your payout back to about the same as before.

Think of it like restaurant pricing — if delivery platforms suddenly take a bigger cut, you don’t sell your food for less. You update your menu price to keep your earnings steady.

Why Airbnb Is Making This Change

Airbnb says this change is about transparency. Guests often complained that service fees were confusing or made bookings appear more expensive than they initially seemed.

Now, when guests browse Airbnb, they’ll see one clear total — no extra fee added at checkout.

For hosts, that means your prices may look higher compared to before, but you’ll have more control and fewer guest surprises.

How to Prepare as a Host

Here’s what you can do right now to stay ahead of the change:

Review How You’re Listed

If you use software like Guesty, Hostaway, or Lodgify, you’re likely PMS-connected — which means the new fee applies October 27, 2025. If you manage your listing directly on Airbnb, you have until December 1, 2025.

Recalculate Your Prices

Don’t wait until the switch to adjust. Try raising your nightly rate by about 14–15% to keep your income consistent after Airbnb’s higher host fee kicks in.

Watch Your Competition

Other hosts in your area will also be making changes. Monitor your local market with tools like AirDNA or PriceLabs to make sure your rates remain competitive once everyone adjusts.

Consider a Revenue Management Partner

If managing pricing, market data, and performance sounds overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Revolvio helps short-term rental owners adapt to Airbnb’s changes, fine-tune their rates, and keep profits steady — without the stress.

Contact Us to learn how we can help you optimize your rental strategy for the new fee model.

The Bottom Line

Airbnb’s new commission structure isn’t bad news — it’s just a new way of doing business. The goal is to make prices clearer for guests while giving hosts more transparency in their payouts.

The key is to adjust your rates, stay informed, and plan ahead.

With a few smart tweaks — and maybe some expert help — you can keep your income strong and your bookings steady.