AIRBNB TESTS LOWER HOST FEES IN US PILOT

The home-sharing platform is testing fee reductions to retain hosts who have shifted to off-platform bookings. Direct reservations have grown as property owners seek to avoid Airbnb's service fees, which can reach 14-16% depending on location and listing type. The pilot program offers hosts two commission tiers: 6% or 10%, depending on variables such as booking frequency or listing characteristics. Airbnb has not disclosed the geographic scope or duration of the test. The initiative reflects mounting pressure from competing platforms and rising host frustration over fees. Some hosts have adopted direct-booking strategies or migrated to alternative platforms entirely. Airbnb's move also comes as regulators in key markets like New York and London impose stricter short-term rental rules, increasing operational costs for hosts and potentially driving more away from the platform. The company has not announced plans to expand the reduced-fee program beyond the pilot phase.