The short answer
For a two-night trip to a cabin near Jasper, Arkansas, Airbnb's total was $447.12. The same cabin on the host's own website was $395.12. I saved $52, about 12%, and the host likely kept more of the booking too. The catch is that I only found the host's website by digging, because the cabin went by a different name there.
How I found the direct price
My wife and I were planning a weekend near Jasper, Arkansas, close to the Buffalo National River. The first cabin I liked had a great website, but no way to book on it. I asked the host if I could book direct, so neither of us would pay Airbnb's fees. He was quick to reply and easy to talk to, but he only takes bookings through Airbnb.
I have a hard time paying more for something when I know I can get it for less somewhere else. So I kept looking.
I found another cabin on Airbnb and checked the price for two nights. Then I did what I'd want any guest to do. I took a few names from the listing and searched for them. That led me to the host's own booking website, where the same cabin was listed under a different name. Same photos, same place, a lower price. I booked it there.
Two hosts, same weekend, same part of Arkansas. One sent me back to Airbnb. The other got the booking.
The receipts
Same cabin, same two nights, same two guests:
| Line | Airbnb | Host's website |
|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | $401.00 ($200.50 a night) | $280.00 ($140 a night) |
| Cleaning fee | Built into the nightly price | $75.00 |
| Other fees | Built into the nightly price | $6.39 |
| Taxes | $46.12 | $33.73 |
| Total | $447.12 | $395.12 |
Airbnb showed one nightly price, $200.50, with the cleaning fee built in. The host's website showed $140 a night and the cleaning fee on its own line. Taxes were $12.39 lower booking direct as well. The difference came to $52.00.
The host came out ahead too
I don't know this host's exact Airbnb fee, so this part is an estimate. Most Airbnb hosts now pay a 15.5% fee, taken out of the price before taxes. On $401, that leaves the host about $339.
On their own website, the nights and cleaning fee came to $355, before card processing. That's about $16 more for the host, while I paid $52 less. Booking direct worked out better for both of us.
What this host got right, and what could be easier
This host did the hard part:
- A website that takes real bookings. Pick your dates, see the total and pay. No email back and forth.
- A lower price than Airbnb. Reason enough to book there.
- A price shown up front. I could compare the two totals before deciding.
One thing would have made it much easier to find:
- The same name everywhere. The cabin had one name on Airbnb and another on the host's website. A guest who searches the Airbnb name won't find the website. I only found it because I kept digging, and most guests won't.
What it means for owners
Airbnb doesn't let you link to your website from your listing, and that's fair. It's their marketplace. But it means a guest who wants to book direct has to find you on their own. Make that easy:
- Use the same property name on your listings and your website
- Make sure searching that name brings up your website, not just your listings
- Price direct below the marketplaces, or add a perk you only get by booking direct
- Let guests book and pay on your site, so they don't have to message you first
Guests are looking for you. I was. Make it easy to find you, and more of them can book direct.
Quick answers
Was it okay to book direct after finding the cabin on Airbnb?
Yes. Airbnb’s off-platform rules are about what hosts do: no outside links in listings or messages, and no asking Airbnb guests to book elsewhere. I found the host’s website on my own and booked there. The host did nothing wrong.
Why was booking direct cheaper?
Airbnb’s price has to cover what Airbnb charges for the booking. On the host’s own site, that cost isn’t there, so the host can charge less and still keep more.
Should every host price lower on their own website?
If you want guests to book direct, yes, at least a little. If you’re also on Booking.com or Expedia, read your agreements first, since some include rate parity terms. A guest who goes looking for your website is hoping to save. A lower price, or a perk that only comes with booking direct, rewards them for it.
Want me to look at your site?
Send me your website. I'll tell you what I'd fix first, for free.