You've found the perfect Wyoming cabin. It's $200 a night on Airbnb. But by the time you hit "confirm," you're paying $235 — or more. That extra $35+ isn't going to the host or making your stay better. It's a platform fee. Here's what you can do about it.
The Platform Fee Problem
Airbnb charges guests a service fee of 14–16% on most bookings. Vrbo charges a similar traveler service fee of 6–12%. These fees are added on top of the nightly rate you see in search results — you only see the true total on the final checkout screen.
Then there's the host fee: platforms typically charge property managers 3% as well. That 3% gets baked into the nightly rate you see — so you're paying platform fees on both sides of the transaction.
Combined, the true cost of an OTA booking is often 20–30% higher than the base rate. On a $1,400 Wyoming week, that's $280–$420 disappearing into platform fees.
Real Number Example
Via Airbnb
$232+
$200 nightly rate + $32 platform fee (16%)
On a 7-night stay: $224+ extra in fees alone
Book Direct
$200
Same property, same nights, same cleaning fee
Zero platform fees. That's it.
What "Booking Direct" Actually Means
Booking direct doesn't mean handing cash to a random stranger on Facebook Marketplace. It means booking through the property manager's own booking platform — where they control the listing, set the policies, and are fully accountable.
A licensed Wyoming property manager (like Wyo Stays) is regulated by the Wyoming Real Estate Commission, maintains liability insurance, and is held to professional standards that individual Airbnb hosts aren't. You get more protection booking direct with a licensed manager than booking a random Airbnb listing.
Trust signals to look for: licensed real estate broker, business address, phone number, verified reviews, and a professional website with a real booking system (not just a "send us an email" form).
What You Get When You Book Direct
No platform fees
Airbnb and Vrbo charge guests 14–16% on top of the nightly rate. Book direct and that money stays in your pocket.
Direct host communication
Speak with your actual property manager before booking. Ask real questions, get real answers — not a chatbot.
More flexible cancellation
OTA platforms have rigid cancellation structures. Direct bookings can offer policies tailored to your trip.
Personal concierge recommendations
Your property manager knows Sheridan better than any algorithm. Restaurant picks, rodeo tickets, trail conditions — ask.
How to Find Direct Booking Options
- Search Google directly: "Sheridan Wyoming vacation rentals" or "[property name] direct booking" — licensed managers run their own websites with direct booking systems.
- Check the property management company's website: If you've found a property on Airbnb, search the property name + "book direct." Managers are required to maintain their own website.
- Look for Wyoming Real Estate Commission licensing: Any property manager charging fees in Wyoming should be a licensed broker or affiliated with one. It's not optional.
- Use the Concierge: Our Wyoming Concierge can help you find the right property type for your trip and connect you directly.
The Catch (There Isn't Much of One)
The main reason people book through OTAs is discoverability — Airbnb and Vrbo have massive search engines that surface properties. Once you've found a property you like, there's almost no reason not to book direct.
Some OTA loyalists cite "buyer protection." But Airbnb's AirCover doesn't protect you from a property that simply looks worse in person than the photos suggest. A licensed Wyoming property manager's reputation and regulatory standing is a stronger protection than any platform's terms of service.
The one exception: if you're booking an international trip and you genuinely can't vet the property otherwise, an OTA's escrow system adds peace of mind. For domestic travel with a licensed manager, it's an expensive peace of mind you don't need.
Browse Wyo Stays Properties — No Platform Fees
50+ vacation rentals across Sheridan, Story, Dayton, and Buffalo — all booked direct. Same properties you'd find on Airbnb, without the service fees. Licensed Wyoming brokerage. Real host communication.