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OTA Commission Breakdown: What Each Platform Actually Costs You

The headline commission rate is rarely the full cost of an OTA. Here's the honest breakdown for property hosts.

Published 2025-10-20 · Trade Nest Stays Team

OTA Commission Breakdown: What Each Platform Actually Costs You

Booking.com — 15% baseline, often 23%+ effective

The standard 15% commission is the headline. Add the Genius loyalty programme discount (10% off your nightly rate for Genius members, which is now most users) and the effective revenue impact is 23.5% off your listed rate.

Airbnb — 15.5% since December 2025

Airbnb moved all hosts to a single 15.5% service fee in December 2025. No more 'split' fees with guests. Cleaner accounting but no cheaper in practice.

Vrbo — 8% commission + 3% payment processing

The headline 8% looks great until you add payment processing and the per-booking fees. Effective rate usually 11-13%. Lower volume than Booking/Airbnb so the maths depends on whether the platform actually delivers bookings.

Trade Nest Stays — 10% + VAT, completed bookings only

Lower than the major OTAs on percentage. Difference is: you set the price, you accept the booking, you keep control. No algorithm punishing you for declining.

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