How Much Do Booking.com Commissions Cost?

In short: Booking.com charges a percentage on the value of every confirmed booking, and the exact rate depends on your specific profile. To find out what you are really paying, check the percentage in your extranet and multiply it by your yearly revenue.

How the commission model works

Booking.com applies a percentage commission on the booking value, calculated on the total paid by the guest (often including city taxes depending on your setup), which the property pays only once the booking is confirmed and the stay has taken place — a 'pay-per-stay' model rather than a fixed monthly fee.

The percentage varies based on several factors

The commission percentage is not the same for everyone: it depends on the property type, the programs you participate in (e.g., Genius), the visibility tier chosen, and any specific agreements negotiated by your property. It is always advisable to verify the exact percentage applied to your profile directly in the Booking extranet, rather than relying on generic estimates found online.

The cumulative annual effect

For a property with hundreds of bookings per year coming mainly from Booking, the sum of commissions can represent one of the most significant cost items in the entire budget, often higher than more visible expenses like utilities or maintenance — precisely because it is 'hidden' within each individual booking.

The calculation every manager should make

A useful exercise is to calculate, on a monthly basis, how much revenue is actually withheld in commissions and compare it with the share of bookings that come from direct channels or word-of-mouth: this number concretely shows how much margin could be recovered by shifting even a portion of bookings off the platform.

Commission does not mean zero value

It is important to be honest: Booking provides visibility and traffic that a property alone, especially if small or new, would struggle to obtain. The sensible strategy is not to abandon the platform, but to gradually reduce its relative weight by adding a direct channel for already acquired guests.

The Genius program: advantages and implicit costs

Joining the Genius program brings more visibility in search results, but typically requires offering a fixed discount to users enrolled in the program: a trade-off worth evaluating property by property, comparing the expected increase in bookings with the reduction in margin per booking.

What happens in case of guest cancellation

The cancellation policies (refundable, non-refundable, with partial penalty) set by the property influence both the booking conversion rate and, indirectly, the risk of receiving bookings that are later cancelled without notice: finding the right balance between guest flexibility and protection of expected revenue is a strategic choice to be reviewed periodically based on your property's actual data.

Frequently asked questions about Booking.com commissions

Where can I see my percentage?

In the Booking extranet, in the section dedicated to invoices and commissions. Do not trust estimates found online: the percentage changes based on the property type, active programs, and agreements.

How do I calculate what I pay in a year?

Take your annual revenue from Booking and multiply it by your percentage. The Booking and Airbnb commission calculator does this in seconds and also shows how much you would save by shifting a portion of bookings to your own site.

How do I reduce the weight of commissions?

You don't need to leave Booking: it's better to add a direct channel for returning guests. See the strategies for reducing Booking and Airbnb commissions.

How do I receive direct bookings?

With a booking page on your site, calendars synced with portals, and online payment or deposits. Check out the page for short-term rentals and B&Bs, with a 14-day free trial.

What to do today in 3 steps

1. Check your percentage in your extranet.
2. Calculate how much you have paid over the last 12 months.
3. Choose how many bookings you would like to shift to the direct channel and calculate your savings.