‘Stop Airbnb’, Netizens Protest Against High & Hidden Fees

Before the spread of coronavirus globally, travel bugs used to prefer Airbnb service for their stay due to its affordability, however, the situation evolved and netizens are now grumbling over high prices and hidden fees. 

The vacation rental platform, launched in 2008, has now increased its prices in order to ascertain that precautionary guidelines are followed properly amid pandemic.

During an interview, one of the company’s co-founders Nate Blecharczyk offered a defense on pricing transparency and explained how fees are set.

Shortly, the internet took the matter by storm and complaints starting to pour out and people questioned the reason behind the changes in the structure of charges.

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Taking to their Twitter handles, many users seemed seethed with the price-hike and hidden fees while some suggested opting for hotel rooms instead.

Airbnb has to stop. pic.twitter.com/fETP9RNs0e

— from main to wall (2BA) kadeem (@xclusive7784) May 18, 2021

Is it me or is Airbnb no longer a realistic alternative to a hotel?!? These prices are ludicrous!!! And with all the extra fees lawd!!! 250 a night really hot like dang near 500 a night… what I miss

— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) May 19, 2021

Airbnb will tell you it’s 150 a night and you when you go to checkout for 2 nights it’s $1,987

— 50 Shades of Greg (@greg_ramirez21) May 17, 2021

dude airbnb is so bad now pic.twitter.com/9R8BGosRir

— first-mate prance (@bocxtop) May 18, 2021

The social media influence has impacted the goodwill of Airbnb and the company’s shares have dropped by nearly 40% since February.

In response to the virtual protest against high prices and hidden fees, the founder of Airbnb ensured to address the issue and said, “We are going to take a second look at this issue in partnership with our hosts”.

Although Airbnb’s service charges and local governmental occupancy taxes are always visible before clearing the payment, the company said that a team would review the costs and make recommendations accordingly to bring more transparency for hosts and guests.