You'll now be able to see the full cost of your Airbnb as you browse, including any sneaky cleaning and service fees. The short-term rental company announced it now automatically shows the total cost of a rental before taxes.Â
The change comes ahead of a US Federal Trade Commission rule banning hidden fees, which is set to go into effect on May 12. Hotels and booking sites like Expedia will also be subject to the new rule, which called out "bait-and-switch pricing" for mandatory charges like resort fees.
Airbnb users in the US could turn on the "total price display" option manually for the past two years, but now you'll see the full price by default.Â
"With the global rollout of total price display, we're making it easier for guests to better understand the price they'll pay, and for hosts to succeed in a more transparent marketplace," Airbnb said in the press release. The company declined the opportunity to comment further.
Airbnb has faced criticism over the years for advertising one price, then tacking on extra fees for cleaning and more during the checkout process. Transparent pricing allows you to compare prices more easily, so you don't get the unpleasant surprise that your $150 deal suddenly increased to $225 because of "host fees."Â Â Â
The company also announced it's adding tools to uncover more discounts, like adding extra nights to reduce the total cost of a stay.
If you're planning now for summer travel, we have tips to help you save on the rest of your trip, too, including the best time to book flights and how to use AI to save for a vacation.
"One of our main tips is travel on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Those days tend to be cheaper for flights and hotels versus weekends," Aixa Diaz, a media relations spokesperson for AAA, said in an email.
