Direct bookings skip platform commission, but they aren’t free: card processing, a booking website or engine, marketing and any discount you give guests all eat into the saving. Enter your typical booking value, how many direct bookings you expect and what running direct costs you, and see the real yearly saving and how many direct bookings you need before it pays for itself.
Use realistic figures. Only count bookings that would otherwise have come through an OTA.
Only count bookings that would otherwise have gone through an OTA. If a repeat guest would have booked direct anyway, or a direct booking replaces one you would have had through Airbnb, the saving is real. If the booking wouldn’t have happened at all, compare it with profit, not fees.
Fixed costs decide it. With a handful of direct bookings a year, website and marketing costs can cancel the saving. The break-even figure tells you how many you need before it’s worth it.
Remember what OTAs include. Platforms handle payments, some damage protection and guest screening. Direct bookings need your own rental agreement, payment handling and protection.
Twelve direct bookings a year at $900 each would cost about $1,674 in fees at 15.5%. Card processing at 3% is $324, a $40-a-month booking engine is $480 and other costs are $300, so running direct costs $1,104. The net saving is about $570 a year, and you need about 7 direct bookings (6.9) a year to break even.
Some hosts pass part of the saving on to win repeat guests. Enter the discount to see how much saving is left. A small discount can still be worthwhile if it turns guests into repeat direct bookers.
No. The OTA Payout Calculator compares one booking across channels. This tool looks at a full year of direct bookings, including fixed costs like a booking website.
Compare what the same booking pays out on up to four channels.
Open tool →Platforms & ChannelsFind the price to list on each channel to net the same per night.
Open tool →Revenue & PerformanceEstimate Airbnb’s service fee and your payout under either fee structure.
Open tool →Revenue & PerformanceSee monthly and annual profit, margin, RevPAR and break-even occupancy.
Open tool →Thrive Hosts helps owners keep direct bookings, OTA calendars and guest communication in one consistent workflow, so direct guests get the same experience as everyone else.
Estimates are based on the numbers you enter and are not a guarantee of future bookings or savings.