Originally Posted by
BrianATX
My guess is the convenience fee does two things: First, it's a revenue opportunity for AirBnb. Second, it is used to cover any FX changes between when you book and when the apartment owner is paid in their local currency.
That's the whole point of this thread. It's sleazy to price discriminate with this fee simply because we desire services in another country. FX charges SHOULDN'T exist if they're not converting currency. If you live in the US and book in the US, then USD is charged with no fee. If you live in Canada, and book in Canada, then CAD is charged with no fee. If you live in the US but book in Canada, then why should there be a mandatory fee? Where I live should be irrelevant. Hotels don't do this (or at least give you a choice if you want DCC or not). The fact that they are keeping this mandatory fee as profit is what irks us because people booking within their own country would not have to pay this fee, and is price discrimination at the very minimum.
Hilton is based in the US. Marriott is based in the US. When I book Hilton or Marriott overseas, the prices are always in local currency, and I'm always charged in local currency. Where I live and where the business is headquartered should not have anything to do with where the transaction is taking place.
A rose by any other name is still just as prickly. Just because they don't call it DCC does not mean it's not.
Also, Welcome to FlyerTalk!