Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, recently spoke at the Skift travel conference and addressed a hot topic – the recent increase in cleaning fees for Airbnb accommodations. To address this issue, Airbnb has introduced a new feature called Total Price display, which shows the inclusive price of a stay (excluding taxes) right from the start (implemented since December 2022). Initially, users will need to manually toggle the Total Price mode to see the final price, without any additional fees. This transparency allows users to have a clearer understanding of the total cost before booking a stay.
Although the total amount to be paid remains the same, the ability to see the total price from the beginning enhances the user experience. Chesky recommends that users open this mode when making a booking. Gradually, Airbnb will transition to making Total Price mode the default option, incentivizing hosts who display the total price to receive higher rankings in customer search results. According to Chesky, approximately 260,000 accommodations have already opted to include the cleaning fee in their total price after this feature was introduced.
TLDR: In response to concerns about increased cleaning fees, Airbnb has introduced Total Price display, allowing users to see the inclusive price of a stay upfront. By toggling the Total Price mode, users can avoid unexpected additional fees, leading to a more transparent booking experience. Airbnb plans to gradually make Total Price mode the default, motivating hosts to include the total price and offering greater visibility in customer search results.
Leave a Comment