OTAs can be a necessary channel. They can also become a silent profit leak.
If you’ve ever looked at your month-end numbers and thought, “We’re busy, so why does it feel tight?”, commission is usually part of the answer.
Most large OTAs typically sit in a commission range that often lands between 15% and 30% depending on your agreement, programmes, and market.
Booking.com is commonly referenced in the 10% to 25% range depending on location and agreement.
Expedia is often referenced around 15% to 30%, with many properties seeing rates in the mid-range.
This calculator gives you a fast, realistic estimate of what that means in pounds, and what you could save by shifting even a small slice of bookings direct.
OTA Commission Calculator
Built for UK hotels. Estimate annual OTA commission and potential savings if you shift bookings direct.
Scenario: shift 0% of OTA revenue to direct
This compares OTA commission versus your estimated direct booking cost.
Estimates only. Your actual commission and direct acquisition cost will vary by channel mix, agreements, cancellations, and market.
Want to reduce OTA dependence without losing occupancy?
The quickest, most sustainable route is usually a blended approach: tighten your Hotel SEO so you rank for booking intent, then layer Google Hotel Ads for immediate visibility.
Commission is the obvious line item, but the true cost often includes extras like increased discounting, preferred visibility programmes, and the knock-on effect of rate parity pressure.
This tool focuses on the cleanest baseline: commission as a percentage of the OTA-attributed room revenue. It’s the fastest way to get clarity and start making better channel decisions.
Rates vary by contract, property type, and market. As a rough guide:
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Many major OTAs are commonly referenced in a range that often falls around 15% to 30%. cloudbeds.com+2Preno HQ – Hotel Management Software+2
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Booking.com is commonly cited at around 10% to 25%, depending on your agreement and location. SiteMinder+1
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Expedia is often referenced at around 15% to 30%, with many properties landing mid-range. Preno HQ – Hotel Management Software+1
If you want a more accurate estimate, use your latest OTA invoice as your “commission rate” input.
If you pull OTAs too hard, too fast, you can lose occupancy. The smarter route is to replace, not remove.
If you want the fastest route to reducing OTA dependence, we’ll show you what to fix first.
What is a good OTA percentage for a hotel?
It depends on your brand strength, location, and seasonality. Many independent hotels aim to reduce OTA share over time, but the priority is profit, not ego. If OTAs are filling need periods profitably, keep them. If they’re your default channel, it’s time to rebalance.
What’s a typical OTA commission rate?
Many major OTAs are commonly referenced in ranges around 15% to 30%, depending on agreement and programmes.
Does Google Hotel Ads charge commission like an OTA?
Google Hotel Ads can run on different billing models. Commission-based approaches (where available) are commonly referenced at around 10% to 15% in industry guidance, depending on setup.
Should I include cancellations in my commission maths?
For a simple baseline, use realised revenue. If you want accuracy, use your invoice totals after cancellations. Different channels handle cancellations differently, so keep it consistent.
Is it always cheaper to shift OTA bookings to direct?
Not always. Direct bookings still have costs (SEO, PPC, metasearch, CRM, brand campaigns). The win is usually control and long-term margin, especially when you tighten conversion on your own site.
What’s the fastest way to reduce OTA dependence?
In most cases, tighten Hotel SEO for booking intent, then layer Google Hotel Ads for immediate visibility. This is the combo that tends to shift behaviour without starving demand.