Airbnb hosts demand tip from guests after their stay: '$15- it was ok, $50- you're amazing'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 26, 2026 9:00 PM EDT

Should you tip on an Airbnb?

Absolutely not. But this wasn't what one pair of hosts thought when they sent out a message to their guest. Tipping culture has gotten out of hand these days. We're tipping on stuff we never tipped on before. You have to be able to draw the line somewhere. You shouldn't be pressing the 20 percent button on things that don't need it. If you're staying at an Airbnb, the cost is built into the stay. You're already paying so many fees and percentages that you probably don't want to be, so being asked to do more on top of that is a huge slap in the face. It's a tough time out there, but you can't just ask your Airbnb guests to send you money for no reason. Plus, it's definitely against the terms and conditions. That didn't stop this couple, though.

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  • I'm all for tipping. It's the world we live in. As someone who used to rely on tips to make a living, I know this firsthand. Sure, tipping culture might have gotten crazy these days, but you can't punish servers by refusing to tip. It's only hurting them, not the people who make the policy in the first place. We can have a larger discussion about how we should pay employees a living wage, and we should. But just kneecapping tipping is no way to do that. In this situation, though, it was absolutely correct to refuse to pay the tip on an Airbnb. Airbnb hosts do not rely on tipping to make their money. They are in charge of how much they want to charge you for their stay, so they don't just get to expect gratuity on top of that. It wouldn't be fair, and it wouldn't make sense. But that's what happened here. Keep scrolling to read what commenters had to say about it. It's one of those moments where you have to zoom out and ask what is going on in our society that would lead to this.

  • A photo of a clear glass jar with ‘tip’ written on it
    via Sam Dan Truong

    A photo of a clear glass jar with 'tip' written on it

  • American tipping culture is utterly disgusting.

    Sarah Host 20:09 Thank you so much for choosing our place for your stay! We hope you enjoyed our cozy home, the fresh towels, and all the little touches we put together. To help us keep the property in great condition with all the rising costs, we expect a tip from our guests. $15 - It was OK $25 I liked it a lot! $50 You're amazing! $100-I had the best stay Please choose your preferred tip amount and we'll send you bank account details (Zelle or wire) so you can transfer it easily. Warmly - Sar
    via Gurugod123

  • Commenters gave their ideas and concerns.

    Fantastic-Climate-84 lol report this as "host is requesting money outside of the app".
    via Fantastic-Climate-84
  • robjohnlechmere "Thanks so much for the towels and little touches! I have to say this message sours the stay, especially your use of the word 'expect' which feels a bit predatory. I'd like to encourage you to build a pricing model that is more comfortable for you moving forward. Best of luck!"
    via robjohnlechmere
  • Nikylie_Flower "we expect a tip" no, you expect and accept payment, and can choose to hope for a tip.
    via Nikylie_Flower
  • InsomniaticWanderer If it's expected, it's not a tip
    via InsomniaticWanderer
  • GamingSanctum $0.00 "Great until I - received this message. Sorry to fail your 'expectations', but I already paid for the Air BnB. If you aren't making enough, increase your up-front price in the future "
    via GamingSanctum
  • Blacklotus3993 Answer: I choose 0 for greedy hosts who want extra money for absolute basics
    via Blacklotus3993
  • wolfansbrother the shakedown. id report this to what ever platform you used and give them a lower star rating. you agreed to stay at a price, and now they are demanding more.
    via wolfansbrother
  • DiseasedProject $0: It was really great, but the owners' outrageous tip- shaming really soured the experience in the end.
    via DiseasedProject
  • Sidivan Text back, "As caretaker of your property for a week, I expect full payment for my services."
    via Sidivan
  • Cheezburger Image 10642331648
    via Blake Wisz

    A person holds a credit card to a tap to pay machine

  • FeelingNo2529 I don't think this is "American tipping culture," as it is not normal in America to tip for a stay in a rental property (at least that I know of!). "We expect a tip" is also a very ride and uncouth thing to say, in America or probably anywhere else. So I think this is more just r de and entitled behavior by the host.
    via FeelingNo2529
  • To prevent this type of thing becoming part of the culture, we all have to continue to reject it.
    via FeelingNo2529
  • Darkstar67 This is not part of American tipping culture
    via Darkstar67
  • Hermes-AthenaAl Your Tip: "There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough." -Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu
    via Hermes-AthenaA
  • RoyWNL- As an airbnb owner in the Netherlands i'd never even think about getting a tip for a stay and wouldnt even be comfortable with receiving one. Never had one in three years (yes, we had american guests) and hopefully never will. Tipping culture is disgusting.
    via RoyWNL-
  • Did got a box of chocolats once, and an other time some beers as a thank you. That was nice!
    via RoyWNL-
  • yarigatakedske At Catholic churches, they call it "the collection plate". The tellers at my bank have a tip jar now. Thanks, Pizza Hut. I guess there'll be a tip jar on the garbage truck next (actually, they deserve tips).
    via yarigatakedske
  • MrMonkify This is not typical tipping culture, this is one shiesty f trying scam people. That said yeah tipping culture sk, this is just a poor representation of that.
    via MrMonkify
  • ToxikWind They have no right to expect a tip. You should probably report them for contacting you outside of the app to request more money. Also, consider leaving a negative review.
    via ToxikWind
  • ragequitteroffureh Not American. I don't understand. Why don't they simply forego just the tip, and instead increase the price by the 100 of their USD amount? That way:
    via ragequitteroffureh
  • 1. The customer will be delirious with joy. 2. The business get paid. 3. The towels get washed. 4. The rising costs get covered. 5. The hidden camera footage gets uploaded. It's a win/win for everyone, without any needless about.
    via ragequitteroffureh

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Tags

tips tip Airbnb america Travel mildly infuriating infuriating tipping culture
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