Turnkey direct bookings. Simpler, smarter, and commission-free.
Popular booking platforms are great for finding new guests — and expensive for repeat ones. PrimePlaces.ai lets you take repeat and direct bookings through your own calendar and payment gateway, so more of every booking stays with you.
The problem with repeat bookings on booking platforms.
Popular booking platforms typically charge significant commission on each booking. Using an estimated Airbnb commission of 18.5%, a repeat guest booking processed through a booking platform immediately loses a meaningful portion of turnover before you receive payment.
| Booking value | Booking platform commission at 18.5% | Net before other costs |
|---|---|---|
| $250 | −$46.25 | $203.75 |
| $500 | −$92.50 | $407.50 |
| $1,000 | −$185.00 | $815.00 |
| $2,000 | −$370.00 | $1,630.00 |
For new guests, this cost may be justified as a marketing acquisition cost. For existing guests, repeat guests, corporate guests and referrals, paying full booking-platform commission repeatedly is far less efficient.
The direct booking opportunity.
Keep popular booking platforms for visibility and new-guest acquisition — then move known guests, repeat guests and direct enquiries into a direct booking system that connects availability, pricing and payments through your own site.
Lower commission cost
More revenue retained per booking.
Direct guest relationship
Better guest communication and loyalty.
Own payment gateway
Greater control over the payment process.
Repeat guest retention
Less dependence on third-party platforms.
Brand ownership
Guests return to your business, not the booking platform.
Only ~$82–$97 a month in direct bookings covers the fee.
PrimePlaces.ai costs $15 per month. At an 18.5% booking-platform commission rate, moving just $82 of bookings per month away from a booking platform already covers it.
Allowing for payment gateway fees of around 3%, the net saving versus 18.5% is still around 15.5% — so only around $97 per month in direct booking turnover is needed to justify the cost.
At 18.5% commission
$15 ÷ 18.5% = $82/mo
Direct booking turnover to break even.
With ~3% gateway fees (15.5% net)
$15 ÷ 15.5% = $97/mo
A more conservative break-even estimate.
The model becomes profitable quickly.
A single modest repeat booking may cover the monthly cost. A few direct repeat bookings per month can create substantial savings.
| Monthly direct booking turnover | Saving at 18.5% booking platform commission | Less $15 monthly fee | Estimated net benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 | $46.25 | −$15.00 | $31.25 |
| $500 | $92.50 | −$15.00 | $77.50 |
| $1,000 | $185.00 | −$15.00 | $170.00 |
| $2,500 | $462.50 | −$15.00 | $447.50 |
| $5,000 | $925.00 | −$15.00 | $910.00 |
Who benefits most.
PrimePlaces.ai is especially suitable for operators who already have a source of guests to convert into direct repeat customers.
Repeat guests
They already trust the accommodation.
Corporate guests
They often return regularly.
Direct enquiries
These should not be pushed back to booking platforms.
Existing guest database
Past guests can be encouraged to book direct.
Website traffic
Visitors can book without leaving the site.
Use booking platforms for discovery. Keep the repeat business for yourself.
At a $15 monthly fee, PrimePlaces.ai only needs to help process approximately $82 to $97 in direct bookings per month to justify its cost. Above that level, the savings scale quickly.