Airbnb vs Agoda for Business Bookings (Philippines)

Step-by-step overview of how businesses in the Philippines can use Airbnb and Agoda for business bookings, including requirements, fees, and pros and cons.

What you’ll learn in this Airbnb vs Agoda guide

In this guide, you’ll learn how Airbnb vs Agoda for business bookings in the Philippines compare in terms of requirements, fees, and pros and cons, so you can choose the best platform for your MSME or growing team.

To plan your travel and accommodation budget for business trips, you can also use our Budget Calculator to estimate monthly costs and keep your MSME spending on track.

Airbnb for Business Bookings

Step-by-step process

Sign up for an Airbnb account for business use or join Airbnb for Work to manage business travelers and bookings.
If you are hosting, list your property with clear photos, descriptions, and house rules.
If booking for your team, search for listings that match your business needs (Wi-Fi, workspace, location, budget).
Set pricing and availability for your listing, or choose dates and confirm reservations when booking.
Pay in advance using a credit card or other supported payment methods.
Coordinate check-in/check-out details and stay policies with hosts or guests.
Ensure compliance with local regulations and permits if you are listing a property as a business.
Use Airbnb tools such as automated messages and calendar syncing to manage multiple bookings.

Requirements and fees

Businesses should create an Airbnb for Work account for easier tracking of travelers and expenses.
Hosts must be legally registered as required by local government (DTI or SEC, LGU permits, and BIR registration in the Philippines).
Airbnb charges hosts a service fee, usually around 3–5% per booking.
Guests typically pay a service fee of about 14.1–16.5% on the booking subtotal.
Payments are made upfront; limited invoicing options compared to corporate hotel programs.
Hosts must follow Airbnb policies and may be subject to tax collection and reporting handled by Airbnb.

Pros

Potential cost savings versus hotels, especially for longer stays.
More space (kitchen, living area) and a more local experience for traveling staff.
Good fit for project-based or remote team work where a home-like environment is useful.

Cons

Amenities are not standardized (no guaranteed front desk, workspace, or stable Wi-Fi).
Quality varies a lot among listings; requires careful vetting and reviews.
Separate payments and receipts per booking can increase admin work.
Less predictable than hotels for formal business trips or VIP guests.

Agoda for Business Bookings

Step-by-step process

Create an Agoda account and sign up as a property partner if you are hosting.
Meet eligibility criteria: valid operating license, compliance with local regulations, and Agoda quality standards.
Create property listings, set room types, rates, availability, and policies.
Use Agoda's extranet or partner tools to manage bookings, availability, and promotions.
If you are booking for your team, search Agoda for hotels or properties that fit your travel policy and budget.
Confirm bookings through Agoda; payments are usually collected by Agoda and settled to the host afterward.
Monitor guest reviews and adjust pricing or quality to stay competitive.

Requirements and fees

Properties must meet cleanliness and amenity standards and maintain acceptable guest ratings (often around 7/10 or higher).
Hosts must have valid business permits, LGU licenses, and comply with tax laws.
Agoda charges a commission typically around 10–20%, depending on contract and services.
Agoda may collect surcharges and taxes on behalf of hosts and remit them according to agreements.
Optional promotional tools or visibility boosters may involve additional costs.

Pros

Access to a large global traveler base, especially strong presence in Asia.
Competitive pricing and frequent deals, including "Best Price Guarantee" marketing.
Booking options such as "Book Now, Pay Later" for some accommodations.
Extensive marketing and promotional tools for hosts.
24/7 multilingual customer support for guests and partners.

Cons

Commission rates can be relatively high for low-margin properties.
Pricing may feel complex due to surcharges, taxes, and promotions.
Guest experience still depends on individual hotels/properties, not directly on Agoda.
Less personalized than working with a dedicated corporate hotel account manager.

Which Platform Should Your Business Use?

Both Airbnb and Agoda can work well for Philippine businesses, but the right choice depends on your travel patterns and brand:

Airbnb is better for longer stays, teams needing more space, and companies comfortable with less formal lodging.
Agoda is better if you prefer hotel-style stays, standardized amenities, and strong support for frequent travel.

Whichever platform you pick, make sure you:

Compute your total cost after all fees and taxes.
Check if your business needs DTI/SEC, LGU permits, and BIR registration when hosting.
Keep proper records of bookings and receipts for accounting and tax compliance.