17 Airbnb Guests Spill The Beans On The Most Outrageous Fees And Wildest Checkout Demands They’ve Ever Encountered

The Airbnb exposé that’ll have you thinking twice about your next vacation.

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• March 17, 2024

I was browsing through Airbnb listings the other day while dreaming of my next getaway. I suddenly stumbled upon a perfect spot—the price seemed right, the location was ideal, but wait... what's this? A cleaning fee that's higher than the nightly rate itself? What exactly is going on here?!

Well, it turned out I wasn’t alone in my dilemma. Airbnb recently announced some changes aimed at shedding light on the total cost of rental escapades before you even hit that "book now" button. 

But why the sudden transparency, you ask? Well, it seems some hosts were feeling the pinch. Bookings dwindled amidst grumbles from guests about surprise charges, not to mention the exhaustive lists of post-stay chores that would put Cinderella to shame.

Imagine forking over your hard-earned cash for a single night's stay, only to discover that the cleaning fee alone could fund a small expedition to the moon. Yep, you read that right – 2.5 times the cost of your stay just to ensure the place is spick and span for the next lucky guest. Talk about highway robbery disguised as hospitality!

Some hosts seem to have mistaken their humble abodes for five-star hotels, and we’ve just about had it. So, what exactly are these outrageous fees and checkout commandments that’s got netizens everywhere waving the proverbial pitchfork? Let’s dive into the absurdity, shall we?

A $150 cleaning fee with check-out instructions to avoid extra charges

This Airbnb doesn’t just have ridiculous check-out rules, but there are penalties attached if you fail to comply

Imagine being on vacation and still having to do chores before checking out of your Airbnb

“Generous tip? How about the $250 cleaning fee I paid sir?”

Who the heck will want to tip housekeeping after paying a $200 cleaning fee?! Absolutely no one!

An Airbnb in the middle of nowhere dictating how high the tip should be

$108.99 a night and $228 in extra charges? What a deal!

Might as well book a five-star hotel

At this point, I’m convinced a squad of unicorns are hired to sparkle-clean the place

“Pay me $100 and I will allow you look after my house and care for my cat!”

These Airbnb owners and their ridiculous requests

Are they planning to scrub the floors with champagne? We may never know.

Anyone would be stunned by such ridiculous charges

Do we get a discount if we bring our own mop and bucket?

Imagine being asked to pay an extra $250 before arrival, only to be denied a refund when you refuse to comply

Might as well pay myself the cleaning fee after a hard day’s labor

Ridiculous extra charges is now a norm

So, the next time you’re planning your dream getaway to an Airbnb, keep these cautionary tales in mind. While the allure of a picturesque vacation rental may be enticing, it’s always wise to read the fine print and prepare yourself for the possibility of some truly ridiculous fees and chores. 

After all, adventure is all about embracing the unexpected—even if it comes in the form of a ludicrously priced cleaning fee. Happy travels, and may your Airbnb adventures be fabulous!

Have a similar experience to share? We’d love to know in the comments. 

Jesse