10/22/2026
🏡 A LOT IS CHANGING IN THE VACATION RENTAL WORLD — AND TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW!
🏡 AIRBNB: Airbnb has been moving hosts to a single-fee structure that increases the host commission from 3% to 15.5%. Although guests may no longer see a separate service fee, that cost hasn’t disappeared—it comes out of the host’s payout, often forcing owners to raise prices. That fee can even apply to cleaning fees, meaning hosts must account for the additional cost of paying their hardworking cleaners fairly. Airbnb has also introduced policy changes limiting certain rental agreements, checkout requirements, and house rules, raising concerns about hosts’ ability to protect their properties. After these changes, I decided to remove my listings from Airbnb.
🏡 VRBO: VRBO is also increasing its fees. For hosts using its pay-per-booking model, the commission is increasing from 5% to 12%, effective October 29, 2026. Hosts on annual subscription plans will transition when their subscriptions expire. Unlike Airbnb’s single-fee structure, VRBO continues charging travelers a separate service fee on top of the rental price. As these expenses increase, property owners may have to raise their rates to maintain profitability, leaving travelers paying more for the same vacation rental.
🏡 BOOKINGdotCOM: BookingDcom commissions can run 15% or higher, depending on the property’s agreement and arrangement. These substantial third-party booking costs are another expense property owners must account for when setting rental prices. Ultimately, someone has to pay these fees, and that cost can be reflected in the price travelers pay, along with potentially higher taxes on the increased rental amount.
💚 TRAVELERS, HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP EVERYONE SAVE: BOOK DIRECT! 💚
When you find a vacation rental you love on Airbnb, VRBO, or BookingDcom, look up the property name or management company online and see whether they offer direct booking.
How much can you save? Potentially, a meaningful amount—but there is no guaranteed percentage. Savings depend on the property, the dates, the host’s pricing, and the fees charged by the booking platform. Hosts may price their direct-booking rentals differently, so the best way to know your savings is to compare the total price, including cleaning fees, taxes, and all other charges.
When you book directly through a legitimate owner or property management website, you may avoid certain third-party booking fees. More of your payment can go toward the people actually providing your accommodations rather than booking platforms. Always verify the website and review the payment, cancellation, and protection policies before booking.
To all our future guests: Please book directly with Lawton Cottages whenever possible! Your support helps us keep our properties affordable, compensate our hardworking team fairly, and spend less on third-party booking fees. We would much rather put that money toward our cottages and our guests than hand it over to booking platforms. ❤️
Skip the middleman. Support small businesses. Compare the total price. BOOK DIRECT!
Please share this with anyone who travels or books vacation rentals. Travelers deserve to know their options! 🏡💚
Choose From One Of Our Outstanding Lawton PropertiesFully Furnished — Self-Catering Bookings available for Senior Citizens, Active Duty Military Members, Contractors, Health Care Professionals, Digital Nomads, Executives, and Families in Transition to a new home!PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY FOR STAY...
