Keywords: Airbnb, property management software, fees, short-term rental, hosts, pricing strategy, market impact, direct bookings, hospitality industry
In this bonus episode of The Peak Season Podcast, Tyler and Luke tackle Airbnb’s major update to its host fee structure — a 15.5% service fee that goes into effect on October 27th for hosts using property management software (PMS). This marks a major shift from Airbnb’s split-fee model, where costs were previously shared with guests.
They break down what this change means for short-term rental hosts, how to adjust your pricing strategy to stay profitable, and why now is the perfect time to double down on direct bookings. The conversation cuts through speculation and focuses on clear, actionable steps every host should take before the change goes live.
👉 Learn more about how we help hosts adapt at www.upstreamvacations.com.
"It's a big impact."
"You need to audit your listing."
"We're engaged hosts."
00:00 — Bonus Episode Intro
01:53 — What’s Changing in Airbnb’s Fee Structure
03:18 — Who’s Impacted by the Airbnb Fee Increase
04:00 — What Hosts Using a PMS Need To Do Before Oct. 27th
06:55 — Pricing Strategy Adjustments and Direct Booking Opportunities
This bonus episode of The Peak Season Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Every property and market is unique—listeners should evaluate what works best for their situation. Luke, Tyler, and Upstream Vacations are not responsible for outcomes resulting from actions taken based on this discussion