Booking.com vs. Airbnb

Whether you’re an experienced host or just starting out, you’ve likely wondered which platform reigns supreme in the Airbnb vs. Booking.com debate. The answer will vary depending on who you talk to. At Jeevs we utilize both platforms to maximize reach and efficiency.

The sharing economy has expanded at an incredible rate over the past few years. Airbnb has become the choice alternative to traditional accommodation websites like TripAdvisor.

Airbnb vs. Booking.com Debate

According to Airbnb, its platform features over 7 million active listings around the world as of 20 December 2023. Based on this figure, along with its global brand identity, Airbnb seems like the obvious choice as the largest vacation rental platform for listing owners. Airbnb listings offer a home away from home with hotel-like amenities. Additionally, Airbnb provides host protection, an important feature we at Winslor highly value.

Despite this, some property owners and hosts swear by Booking.com as the primary driver of their businesses. Even with Airbnb’s impressive growth, Booking.com remains the titan of the online travel booking industry, offering more than 28 million listings worldwide.

Since both platforms see millions of daily visitors, it’s worthwhile taking a closer look to see which one is best for your business. At Jeevs, we recognize the benefits of leveraging both.

Find Out All There Is to Know About the Similarities and Differences Between Airbnb and Booking.com

Booking.com vs. Airbnb: How Do the Guests Differ?

To decide which short-term rental site would be the ideal fit for your business, you first need to understand how guests and their requirements differ on Airbnb and Booking.com. Let’s take a closer look:

1. Types of Guests and Guest Expectations

Although both target markets need vacation rental accommodation, Airbnb and Booking.com attract a unique type of audience. Airbnb guests are more interested in authentic experiences. They seek out rental properties that offer a “home-away-from-home” atmosphere and allow them to live like a local in their destination city or town. Airbnb guests are usually looking for more flexibility.

Booking.com has always traditionally been a website for hotels, resorts, and lodges, not private vacation rentals or individual rooms. Although it has changed during recent years, and the platform is attracting more and more vacation rental properties, guests might still come across as more demanding.

The target audiences on both sites are a little different. The majority of Airbnb users are Millennials who value experiences they can share with friends. They look for unique rentals such as themed houses, forest cabins, yurts, and castles—properties that offer a one-of-a-kind, Instagram-worthy experience.

Booking.com reaches a wider audience in general but tends to attract more mature travelers as well as families. These visitors focus more on location and convenience and are even more concerned about noise levels. Lodges that offer breakfast, on-site restaurants, and easy access to transport are likely to appeal to them more.

2. You Can Get to Know Your Potential Guests Better on Airbnb

A feature that makes Airbnb unique is its built-in guest rating system. After a visitor completes a reservation, the host can leave them a review and give them a star rating. This system is extremely useful to hosts, including Winslor, because it allows them to review past behavior and booking history before accepting a reservation.

3. You Can Vet Your Airbnb Guests

Unlike Booking.com, Airbnb property owners or managers have the ability to decline reservations from potential guests. While Airbnb’s Instant Book feature automatically accepts all bookings, it can be switched off to allow hosts to decline reservations if necessary. Booking.com doesn’t offer a similar feature, and all incoming reservations are automatically accepted, which could leave you with a potentially difficult guest.

How to Create an Account and Listing on Booking.com vs. Airbnb

Vacation property owners who rent on Airbnb are busy people looking for vacation rental sites where it’s easy to set up a property listing and start making money. At Winslor, we manage listings on both platforms to ensure maximum exposure and bookings.

Starting with Airbnb

Creating an account on Airbnb is simple and straightforward. On the Airbnb website, you can click “Sign up” and create an account using your email address, phone number, Facebook account, Google account, or Apple ID. To create a listing, you need to fill in essential information about your property, add photos, choose your cancellation policy, and your payment preference. Airbnb’s interface is user-friendly, containing prompts and tooltips that make the process quick and efficient.

Starting with Booking.com

Creating an account on Booking.com requires essentially the same steps as on Airbnb but can be a bit more complicated. When creating a listing, you will need to research and select which cancellation policy suits your business, set up an account with a payment processor, and specify how many rooms your property has. Many hosts have found the setup process on Booking.com more cumbersome, but the platform’s wide reach makes it worth the effort. Winslor manages these complexities to ensure a smooth listing process.

Airbnb vs. Booking.com: Which Platform Is More Expensive?

Both Airbnb and Booking.com charge rental owners a service fee per booking. It’s important to understand these fees to make an informed decision.

Airbnb Fees (Including Host-Only Fee)

Airbnb has two types of service fees: the Split Fee and the Host-Only Fee. The Split Fee is divided between guests, who pay around 14% to 16% of the total booking price, and hosts, who pay around 3%. The Host-Only Fee costs around 15% of the booking rate, while guests are not charged.

Booking.com Service Fee

Booking.com charges a commission rate ranging between 10% to 25%, with the average rate being 15%. They do not charge any commissions to guests. While a flat rate of 15% or more can seem hefty, Booking.com allows you to charge additional fees to guests, such as a cleaning fee. Winslor takes these factors into account to optimize pricing strategies.

How Do the Cancellation Policies Compare?

Airbnb Cancellation Policies

Airbnb currently offers six cancellation policies that owners can choose from: Flexible, Moderate, Strict, Super Strict (30 Days), Super Strict (60 Days), and Long-term. Each policy varies in how soon before the check-in date a guest can cancel and receive a refund.

Booking.com Cancellation Policies

Booking.com offers three types of booking options: Fully Flexible, Customizable, and Non-Refundable. You can also choose to charge a deposit, a prepayment, or pre-authorize a hold on an amount. Winslor ensures that the best combination of settings is chosen for your listings.

How Do Airbnb and Booking.com Handle Host Payouts?

Airbnb Payouts

Airbnb has a centralized payment system that collects and distributes payments. When you become a host on Airbnb, you select a payment method. Airbnb collects payments from guests and pays hosts 24 hours after guest check-in. The amount received will be the booking rate minus any deductions such as the host fee and taxes.

Booking.com Payouts

Booking.com doesn’t always charge guests directly. It’s up to the host to collect payments via credit card or bank transfer. To avoid complications, you can adjust your settings to accept only online transactions. Winslor manages these details to ensure smooth payment processing.

Should You List Your Vacation Rental on Multiple Channels Like Airbnb and Booking.com?

In today’s competitive climate, maximizing your reach is essential. Utilizing a multi-channel strategy and listing your property on multiple sites can significantly increase bookings. According to RentalScaleUp, hosts listing on both Airbnb and Booking.com see an average of 17 booked nights per month, with the potential for more. Winslor leverages both platforms to maximize occupancy and revenue.

By understanding the nuances of both Airbnb and Booking.com, Jeevs ensures that your property is optimally listed, managed, and booked, providing the best possible returns.