How to Avoid Airbnb Fees as a Myrtle Beach Host

Airbnb and VRBO don't hide their fees, but most owners never sit down and add up what they actually cost over a year. Here's the short version, and what Myrtle Beach owners are doing about it.

What you're actually paying

As of 2026, Airbnb charges hosts a single host-only service fee of 15.5% of your booking subtotal, taken directly from your payout. Vrbo hosts pay 8%: a 5% commission plus 3% payment processing, and Vrbo guests also pay a separate 6 to 15% service fee on top of your rate. On a Grand Strand property renting for $280 a night at 53% occupancy, that adds up fast, often several thousand dollars a year.

The direct booking option

A direct booking website lets a guest book and pay you straight, no platform fee. You keep your OTA listings for discovery (a lot of guests still find you there first), but you give returning guests, referrals, and anyone who finds you elsewhere a way to book without the markup.

Where this matters most locally

Owner communities like Ocean Lakes and Cherry Grove already have a strong culture of direct, owner-to-guest rentals, you'll see private Facebook groups and owner-run booking sites throughout both. A branded direct booking site just makes that process look as professional and trustworthy as the platforms guests are used to.

What it takes to set one up

Three pieces: a real website, a booking engine that handles calendar and payments, and a way to look credible enough that a guest trusts you with their card the same way they'd trust Airbnb. That's the whole build, done in 7 business days, starting at $1,490.