10/25/2026
A lot is happening with Airbnb that gets passed to the renters. We are still listed but not sure how long we will remain on their platform. We strongly, strongly recommend you book the Salty Willow direct to save big on fees. We hope we have built trust with those of you who have stayed with us and hope you’ll make that change on your upcoming stays! We look forward to hosting new friends and building that same trust!
📕direct at
saltywillowrentals.com
Tyler and Amanda Carter
[email protected]
(256)658-1190
(256)527-3345
A fellow host, Sheila Miele, posted the following:
🏡 A LOT IS CHANGING IN THE VACATION RENTAL WORLD, AND TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING!
If you book vacation rentals, you need to know what’s happening behind the scenes. Some of these changes may surprise you, and they could end up costing you more!
💰 AIRBNB: FROM 3% TO 15.5% IN OWNER FEES!
Airbnb has changed its fee structure, increasing fees from 3% to 15.5% for affected owners!
The separate guest service fee disappears under this structure, but that doesn’t mean the cost has gone away!
That 15.5% comes directly out of the owner’s payout, including cleaning fees!
🧹 DID YOU KNOW AIRBNB IS TAKING 15.5% OF CLEANING FEES TOO?!
Think about that!
Those fees are meant to pay the hardworking people who clean and prepare these vacation homes. That’s their livelihood!
Yet Airbnb collects a percentage of those cleaning charges, too!
Owners still have to pay their cleaners, so that expense either comes out of their pockets or gets passed along to travelers.
I strongly believe Airbnb shouldn’t be taking a single cent from cleaning fees! That money is intended for the people doing the actual work!
⚠️ AND I WISH THAT WERE ALL!
🔑 AIRBNB’S NEW RESTRICTIONS ON PROPERTY OWNERS
Beginning November 20, Airbnb is introducing additional restrictions involving rental agreements, guest identification, security deposits, checkout requirements, and house rules.
These are privately owned properties, yet Airbnb is placing more restrictions on how owners can protect them!
We trust strangers with our homes, and when something goes wrong, we’re the ones dealing with the damage and financial consequences.
Shouldn’t property owners have reasonable authority to protect their own investments?!
🏖️ VRBO: FROM 5% TO 12% IN OWNER FEES?!
VRBO is reportedly increasing certain owner fees from 5% to 12% beginning October 29.
And travelers STILL pay a separate service fee!
🌎 BOOKING.COM: 15% OR MORE!
Booking.com commissions commonly run around 15% or higher, depending on the agreement.
💸 SO WHO ULTIMATELY PAYS FOR ALL THESE INCREASES?
Property owners can’t continually absorb rising expenses.
When fees increase, rental prices often follow. And higher rental prices can mean higher lodging taxes!
In the end, travelers can wind up paying more!
💡 HERE’S WHAT TRAVELERS CAN DO!
BOOK DIRECT WHENEVER POSSIBLE! 🏡
Before booking your next vacation:
1. Find a property you love on Airbnb or VRBO.
2. Google the property’s name or management company.
3. Look for its direct-booking website.
4. Compare the TOTAL price, including all fees and taxes.
5. Verify you’re booking with a legitimate owner or company, and review the cancellation policy.
You could save hundreds of dollars booking the exact same property directly!
❤️ I’m always happy to help travelers verify owners and rental management companies before booking. Just reach out!
❤️ WE ALL HAVE SOME DECISIONS TO MAKE!
As a vacation rental owner, I’m seriously considering removing our property from Airbnb.
And that’s unfortunate.
These platforms have helped connect travelers and property owners for years. But with rising fees and increasing restrictions, something has to give!
Travelers deserve fair prices, and property owners deserve the ability to protect their investments!
📣 PLEASE SHARE!
Travelers deserve to know what’s happening and that there may be a better, more affordable way to book!
🏖️ COMPARE PRICES. SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE OWNERS. BOOK SMART!
