Summary of OTA fee calculation methods: How to find the actual return rate of our hotel
The nominal fee rate and actual rate of return are different. How to calculate actual margin by breaking down the settlement structure for each channel
2026.07.28
๐ค What the phrase โ15% feeโ actually means
Many hoteliers understand OTA fees as simply โa few percent of the reservation amount.โ However, if you break down the settlement structure step by step, the amount actually received by the hotel even with the same nominal fee rate It varies from channel to channel.
This article breaks down the structure of OTA fees and summarizes the formula for calculating our hotel's net revenue margin (Net Revenue Margin).
๐งพ 4 items that create a gap between nominal fees and actual revenue
The following items are deducted one after the other until 1 reservation from OTA is entered into the hotel bank account.
Even if it's an OTA with a nominal fee of 15%, if all of the above items are added, the actual amount the hotel receives is the accommodation fee 70 to 75% levelIt can drop to
๐ฐ Real return calculation formula
Actual return = 100% โ (nominal fee rate + payment fee + exchange rate loss + promotion share rate)
Actual profit amount = room sales price ร actual profit rate
Calculation example: 100,000 won per room per night
item | A channel (22% fee) | B channel (14% fee) |
Room sales price | 100,000 won | 100,000 won |
OTA nominal fee | -22,000 won | -14,000 won |
Payment fee (2.5%) | -2,500 won | -2,500 won |
Promotion share (3%) | -3,000 won | 0 won (not involved in the discussion) |
Hotel receipt | 72,500 won | 83,500 won |
Actual rate of return | 72.5% | 83.5% |
40 million won per year
Accumulated revenue difference based on 300 per month depending on channel selection, even for the same 100,000 won room
Even for the same 100,000 won room, there is a difference of 11,000 won for each channel. 3.3 million won per month for 300 reservations per month, A difference of close to 40 million won per yearIt accumulates as
๐ General differences in fee structures by channel
OTA type | Nominal fee | Promotion pressure | trait |
Global major OTA | 18 ~ 30% | Very high | Price comparison is highly dependent on impressions |
Major domestic OTA | 12 ~ 22% | midterm | Seasonal discount sharing can be negotiated |
Video-based OTA | 8 ~ 16% | lows | Content asset accumulation structure |
Book directly on our website | Payment fee only | none | Maximum margin, burden of securing traffic |
Channels with the lowest nominal fees don't always have an advantage. Dosage ร Actual Rate of ReturnThis is because it determines the final sales.
๐ฏ Channel mix decision making: It should be viewed as margin, not revenue
Channel evaluation score = monthly booking revenue ร actual return rate ร rebooking rate
channels | Monthly sales | Actual rate of return | Rebooking rate | Assessment score |
A (global large) | 50 million won | 70% | 10% | 3.5 million |
B (image-based) | 20 million won | 84% | 35% | 5.88 million |
C (our home) | 8 million won | 96% | 60% | 4.61 million |
Channel A has the biggest sales, but if you look at margin and rebookings together B is most efficientThis is it. If you only evaluate channels by revenue, it's easy to miss channels that actually generate revenue for hotels.
โ Actual yield inspection checklist
Of the 3 channels with the highest sales Actual receipt/sales price reckoning
Of channels that share promotions Annual cumulative contribution reckoning
Of each channel Rebooking rate Confirmation (can be checked in CMS or PMS)
Summarizing these three numbers alone, it becomes clear what the channel strategy is prioritized for the next quarter.