The tables below highlight the key differences between connecting to Airbnb directly and connecting to Airbnb via NightsBridge.
Host Settings
When a host connects to NightsBridge, all listings for that host will move to a ± 15% commission structure. This will happen regardless of the connection (sync) to NightsBridge per listing. Learn more about the changes to your commission and calendar view
These are the differences on a host level, between working directly with Airbnb (without a channel manager) and with NightsBridge.
| Feature | Without Channel Manager | With NightsBridge | Why is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-hosted listings | Can be manually managed | Cannot be connected to NightsBridge | Airbnb connection limitation |
| Payments | Airbnb takes payment | Airbnb takes payment | |
| Commission |
Option 1: Guest Pays: ± 14% Host Pays: ± 3% Option 2: Guest Pays: 0% Host Pays: ± 15% |
Guest Pays: 0% Host Pays: ± 15% |
Airbnb only allows for the set 15% commission, for hosts that connect to channel managers, to ensure are the same on all channels. |
| Airbnb calendar | Monthly calendar view | Listing and rate plan grid view (Similar to Booking.com and Expedia). | NightsBridge uses Airbnb's rate plan API to update rates and availability. |
| 'Contact Host' button | Button is available | Button is unavailable | Airbnb connection limitation |
Listing Settings
These are the differences on a listing level, between working directly with Airbnb (without a channel manager) and with NightsBridge.
| Feature | Without Channel Manager | With NightsBridge | Why is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rates | One default pax rate and one set extra person fee. | Rates per person | NightsBridge is able to update rates per person, which isn't available when working directly. |
| Specials | Added to the listing. | A new rate plan needs to be created. | This is due to the type of connection. |
| Smart pricing | Available. | Not available. | Airbnb connection limitation |
| Updating availability | iCal link. Updated every 24 hours. Manually by you. | Realtime availability updates. | NightsBridge will automate on your behalf. |
| New Bookings | Manually captured by you. | Automatically added to your calendar. | NightsBridge will automate on your behalf. |
| iCal Link | Available | Not available | Airbnb connection limitation |
Booking and Search Settings
These are the differences in the bookings and search settings between working directly with Airbnb (without a channel manager) and with NightsBridge.
| Feature | Without Channel Manager | With NightsBridge | Why is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Modifications | Guests and hosts can modify bookings | Guests and host cannot modify bookings | Airbnb connection limitation |
| Booking Cancellations | Guests and hosts can cancel bookings | Guests and hosts can cancel bookings | |
| Special Strike-through on the listing | Strike-through visible to guests | Strike-through not visible to guests | Airbnb connection limitation |
| Non-refundable and free cancellation rate plans available to guests | No | Yes | NightsBridge's connection enables this, which isn't available when working directly. |
| Dateless searches | Listings appear in the search | Listings DO NOT appear in the the search. | Airbnb connection limitation |
| Special offer button | Available - Host can offer a special on an existing booking or future bookings for a guest. | Not available | Airbnb connection limitation |
Commission and unconnected listings
Since NightsBridge connects to an Airbnb host account (and not individual listings), all listings change to the 15% commission structure with Airbnb. Since 15% is the current industry standard, this helps align your pricing and commission across most channels.
The calendar view changes on unconnected listings for the same reason. Once connected to a channel manager, your Airbnb listings change from the calendar view to the grid view. Since we connect to your host account, all listings - whether connected to NightsBridge or not, will change to the grid view.