Airbnb’s new Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy has left a lot of hosts wondering: Can you still use tools like StayFi to collect guest emails?

Today on the Hosting Hotline, Natasha calls in with a smart and timely question—and we bring in the best person to answer it: Arthur Colker, CEO of StayFi.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Airbnb’s updated policy affects communication and guest data collection
• What it means to have guests “opt in” under the new rules
• Why StayFi’s WiFi marketing and email tools are still compliant (and important!)
• How to use this moment as an opportunity for a full business compliance check
• Our own experience continuing to use StayFi for both our urban STRs and new glamping property

If you're focused on building your direct booking strategy while staying fully compliant, this is an important conversation you won't want to miss.

• The Hidden Truth: Why Most Airbnb Hosts Fail (And How to Succeed) | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more host strategies and support!
• Airbnb Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy
• Learn more about StayFi and get 50% off your first 3 months

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

We’re hearing it from hosts everywhere: “I want more bookings.”

But when we look behind the scenes, a big reason you’re missing out is your minimum stay requirements. You’re unintentionally telling guests “no” and pushing them to book with your competitors.

This episode is a deep dive into how your calendar settings might be working against you—without you even knowing it.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Airbnb (and other OTAs) reward availability
• How your minimum stay rules create unbookable calendar gaps
• Choosing profitability over convenience (with action steps)
• Using dynamic pricing instead of stay restrictions to manage demand
• The mindset shift: You don’t set the rules—the market does

Your calendar should work for you—not against you.

Let’s make sure you’re not blocking bookings with outdated settings.

Resources:

• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | 3 Genius Ways to Make Your Airbnb Stand Out & Get More Bookings!
• Try PriceLabs (our preferred dynamic pricing software) | Free 30-day trial

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV500 to get $500 off your subscription.

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

Big changes are coming to Airbnb's terms of service—and hosts need to take action. In this bonus episode, we break down Airbnb’s updated Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy, which officially goes into effect May 10, 2025.

From mandatory fees and upsells to off-platform communication, security deposits, and software compliance, we walk through the biggest updates, what they mean for your short-term rental business, and how to stay compliant without panic.

You’ll learn:

• What must be listed in your Airbnb description now (and why)
• How to handle upsells the right way under the new policy
• Whether you can still use services like Hostfully, StayFi, or other API tools
• The gray areas (and why you should be cautious)
• Our personal take on why this might be a good thing for hosts in the long run

This episode is not legal advice—we’re sharing what we know and what we’re hearing across the industry. Be sure to do your own research, talk to your tech partners, and reach out to Airbnb directly for your specific circumstances.

• Airbnb Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy Update
• How to Create a Direct Booking Site for Your Airbnb Business | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we're digging into a question from Penny, a host of two jaw-dropping luxury rentals in Hocking Hills, Ohio. With properties clocking in at over 10,000 and 13,000 square feet, a saltwater pool, and four separate apartments, Penny’s homes are stunning — but she's stuck on one big question: how should she charge her cleaning fee?

Should she bake the fee into the nightly rate or break it out as a separate line item? What’s the “right” way to do this, especially when hosting large groups or events?

In this episode, we walk through:

• Why understanding your actual cost to clean is step one
• How to assess guest perception of your fee and reduce sticker shock
• Ways to use dynamic pricing software (like PriceLabs) to stay competitive and track market cleaning fees
• Why breaking down booking feedback and sales data is critical
• When it makes sense to blend cleaning fees into your nightly rate

Plus, we revisit a real-world case study from Episode 321 with Monique from PriceLabs, where she adjusted her pricing to recover cleaning costs and stay competitive in her market.

Whether you’re hosting luxury travelers or managing smaller STRs, this is a must-listen if you’ve ever wrestled with how to present your cleaning fee to guests.

Resources:

Follow these incredible Hocking Hills properties:

• The Cliffs
• The Box Hop
• Dunlap Hollow Cabins

Follow our land journey in Hocking Hills:

• @richhollowretreat

Check out Penny’s luxury homes:

• @woodland_retreats

Listen to Episode 321 – PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing vs. Airbnb Cleaning Fees

Start using PriceLabs (our preferred pricing tool): https://pricelabs.co/users/sign_up?referral=RTj8a0

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | 5 Red Flags Your Airbnb Cleaner Isn't Doing Their Job

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

Make More Money in 2025! Join us for a Pricing Boot Camp!

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time to give your short-term rental a seasonal refresh. In today’s episode, we're walking you through a host-focused maintenance checklist to ensure your property is not only clean and cozy but also safe and guest-ready as the temperatures rise.

If you want to prevent emergency repairs, avoid guest complaints, and extend the life of your property’s key features, this list is for you. It’s also an opportunity to show your guests that every detail matters—which goes a long way toward 5-star reviews.

From deep cleaning windows and testing AC units to preparing your patio furniture and swapping out winter blankets, we're digging into all the must-do maintenance tasks for spring and summer success.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to assess and refresh your windows and screens
• The importance of routine HVAC maintenance (and why spring is the ideal time to schedule it)
• Why your "Forgot Something" basket needs a seasonal update
• Outdoor furniture and patio safety tips (including an important reminder from our friend Justin Ford)
• What to review with your landscaping and lawn care vendors
• How to prepare for storm season and emergency access
• Why you should swap seasonal amenities (like heavy bedding and outdoor gear)

Whether you manage your own cleanings or you’re working with a team, use this checklist to ensure your STR is set up for safe, successful hosting this season.

Resources:

• Check out Justin Ford – International Short-Term Rental Safety Expert
• Watch: How to Set Up Your “Forgot Something” Basket | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Mentioned in this episode:

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV500 to get $500 off your subscription.

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Are your Airbnb bookings slower than usual… or does it just feel that way?

This week, Courtney calls in with a question we’ve heard from more and more hosts: “Is it just me, or are bookings down and cancellations up?”

We’re digging into that exact question—because while it’s easy to blame the economy or the season, the truth might be hiding in your data (or your photos… or your minimum night stay settings).

• Want to join us live and learn how to price your property like a pro? Get on the waitlist here: thanksforvisiting.com/bootcamp
• Our Favorite Dynamic Pricing Tool | Click here to try PriceLabs
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel |This Secret Airbnb Setting That Can Improve Your Listing by 300%
• Read: 2025 Short-Term Rental Trends from AirDNA | AirDNA Blog Article

Mentioned in this episode:

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

It’s tax time, and if you're a short-term rental host, this episode is a must-listen.

We’re breaking down the five biggest tax mistakes we see STR hosts make—and how to avoid them so you can keep more of what you earn. From understanding the seven-day rule to knowing how your cleaning schedule could trigger self-employment tax, we’re unpacking how STR income is classified and what actually qualifies for those juicy tax deductions.

We’re also sharing actionable tips on how to track your time, understand depreciation, and avoid missteps with personal use and local tax rules. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a tax pro we trust if you need expert guidance.

Quick disclaimer: We are not CPAs or tax professionals—just experienced hosts sharing what we’ve learned and linking you to the right resources. Always talk to your own tax pro!

Resources :

• Connect with Amanda Han — Tax advisor specializing in STR and real estate investors
• Download our STR Host Tax Cheat Sheet
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | 6 Ways to Use ChatGPT in Your Airbnb Business

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV500 to get $500 off your subscription.

Today’s question comes from Melody, and it is all is all about upsells: specifically, how should hosts collect payment for add-ons like early check-in and late checkout?

In this episode, we cover:

• What qualifies as an upsell
• The pros and cons of using Airbnb’s Resolution Center
• Alternatives like Venmo, PayPal, QuickBooks, and property management software
• Why proper tracking is critical (especially as your team grows)
• How to keep things easy and professional with tools like Hostfully guidebooks
• Real host results: thousands in additional revenue from upsells alone!

Whether you’re using Airbnb, Vrbo, direct booking, or a combination of all three, we’ll help you choose the right path for boosting your income—without complicating your systems.

Resources mentioned:

• Get on the waitlist for our next Bootcamp
• Try Hostfully Guidebooks
• 3 Genius Ways to Make Your Airbnb Stand Out & Get More Bookings! (YouTube) |Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Mentioned in this episode:

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!