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Overview
The nightly rate on a listing is rarely what the guest pays, and it is never what the host receives. Somewhere between the two sits a platform fee, and in 2026 the platforms split that fee in very different ways. Some charge the guest at checkout, some take everything from the host, and some do both. If you book accommodation for a work crew, or you are weighing up where to list a lodge or caravan, the fee structure changes the real price more than most people expect.
This guide sets out what each major channel publishes about its fees as of October 2026, works through one booking on every model, and explains how to compare offers and negotiate on the number that matters.
Why the fee structure matters more than the headline rate
There are two numbers in every booking:
- The guest total: what leaves the guest's or the company's account.
- The host net: what the owner receives after commission and processing.