What to know

  • Airbnb will now automatically display the total price of a stay, including all fees, before taxes, to all users worldwide.
  • This update addresses long-standing complaints about hidden fees and unclear pricing on the platform.
  • Guests will see a label indicating that prices include all fees when searching for properties.
  • Hosts will also gain new tools to compare their prices with similar listings and see what guests pay before taxes.

Airbnb has announced a significant change to its platform: all users will now see the total cost of their stay, including all mandatory fees but excluding taxes, as soon as they search for a property.

This update is being rolled out globally and aims to address persistent concerns from guests about hidden fees, such as cleaning charges, that were previously only revealed late in the booking process.

Now, when you search for accommodations on Airbnb, you will notice a small label stating, "Prices include all fees," making it easier to understand the actual cost upfront.

This move follows years of feedback from users who found it difficult to determine the true price of a stay until the final stages of booking. Airbnb began testing this feature in select countries in 2019 and later introduced an optional toggle in the United States and over 200 other countries in 2022.

By 2023, the toggle was expanded to more areas of the platform, such as price filters, maps, and listing pages. According to Airbnb, 17 million users have already used the feature since its initial rollout.

With this change, the total price you see during your search will include all mandatory fees, such as cleaning and service charges, but will not include taxes. This approach is intended to make it easier for you to compare listings and make informed decisions without surprises at checkout.

The company believes this will improve transparency and trust between guests and hosts.

In addition to changes for guests, Airbnb is introducing new tools for hosts. Hosts will now be able to view comparable properties and see how their pricing stacks up against similar listings. They will also be shown the amount guests pay before taxes, which can help them adjust their rates to remain competitive.

This update is now standard for all Airbnb users worldwide and is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance the booking experience and address user concerns about pricing clarity.

Via: TechCrunch