Airbnb's 2025 Fee Change: A Bait and Switch?

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We critique Airbnb's 2025 fee structure change, asserting it's a "bait and switch" that ultimately increases costs for guests and reduces income for hosts and property owners. Previously, guests paid a visible service fee, while hosts paid a small commission. The new system hides the service fee within the host's payout, leading hosts to raise nightly rates to offset their increased deductions, making it appear as if hosts are solely responsible for higher prices. The text analyzes the impact on guests, property owners, and property managers, highlighting potential issues like fewer listings and a decline in profitability for hosts. It also advocates for direct bookings and alternative platforms like VRBO as ways to avoid the new Airbnb charges and support local economies.

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Keywords: Big Beautiful Bill 2025, Social Security changes, retirement taxes, small business incentives, retirement planning, Medicare and seniors, financial security in retirement, small business growth strategies.