Airbnb now shows the full price of your stay by default

The Verge - Apr 21st, 2025

Airbnb has announced a global update to its platform that will show the full price of a stay, including cleaning fees and other charges, right from the start of the booking process. This change means users will see the total cost of a reservation (excluding taxes) before they reach the checkout page. The initiative follows the company’s earlier efforts to improve price transparency, which began in select locations in 2019 following scrutiny from the European Union. Previously, Airbnb offered a toggle in the US and other countries that allowed users to view the total cost across search results and listings. Now, this feature will be automatically enabled for all users, highlighted by a banner stating, “Prices include all fees.”

This development aims to enhance user experience by eliminating surprise costs at checkout and aligns with broader industry trends towards greater transparency. By making costs clear upfront, Airbnb is addressing past criticisms and potentially increasing trust and satisfaction among its users. This change could also influence competitors in the online travel industry to adopt similar practices, setting a new standard for price transparency. As Airbnb continues to expand globally, this move could strengthen its position in the market by appealing to users who prioritize clear and honest pricing.

Airbnb Price Transparency Global Update Cleaning Fees Online Travel Industry

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely update on Airbnb's new pricing transparency feature, offering essential information for users. It scores well in clarity, timeliness, and public interest, effectively communicating the changes in a straightforward manner. However, it lacks balance and depth due to the absence of diverse perspectives and detailed sourcing. The article could benefit from greater transparency and engagement elements to enhance its impact and reader interaction. While it covers a relevant topic, the potential for controversy and debate is not fully explored, limiting its ability to provoke meaningful discussion.

Accuracy

The news story accurately reports on Airbnb's update to display the total cost of a reservation upfront, including cleaning fees but excluding taxes. This aligns with Airbnb's official announcements about enhancing pricing transparency. The claim that Airbnb began showing full prices in some locations in 2019 following EU scrutiny is also accurate, as the EU had indeed pressured the company to improve fee transparency. The story's assertion that nearly 17 million users have used the toggle since its launch in 2022 is consistent with user engagement metrics shared by Airbnb. However, the article does not provide specific sources or links to Airbnb's official statements, which slightly affects its verifiability.

Balance

The article primarily presents Airbnb's perspective on the pricing update, focusing on the company's efforts to improve transparency. While it mentions past scrutiny from the European Union, it lacks viewpoints from consumers or industry experts who might critique the effectiveness or impact of this change. By not including these perspectives, the article leans towards a favorable depiction of Airbnb's actions without fully exploring potential criticisms or alternative views.

Clarity

The article is written in a clear and straightforward manner, making it easy for readers to understand the key updates to Airbnb's pricing display. It logically outlines the changes and their implications for users. However, the inclusion of a screenshot reference without the actual image or further explanation could confuse some readers. Overall, the language is neutral and informative, effectively conveying the main points of the story.

Source quality

The story appears to rely on information from Airbnb's official communications, which are credible sources for company updates. However, the article does not explicitly cite these sources or provide links to the original announcements, reducing the ability to verify the information independently. The absence of diverse sources, such as consumer advocacy groups or industry analysts, limits the depth and breadth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. It does not disclose where the information was obtained or provide links to Airbnb's official statements. While the article clearly states the changes in Airbnb's pricing display, it does not explain the context or methodology behind the data, such as how the 17 million user figure was calculated. This lack of transparency can affect the reader's ability to fully trust the information presented.