Out of curiosity, how does the extension ensure accuracy in finding direct links? Does it rely on a specific database or match listings dynamically?
Excited to see where this goes—great work!
replies(1):
Over the years, I’ve found myself frustrated with the extra fees Airbnb. While they provide a lot of convenience, the service fees often stack up to a point where they overshadow any potential savings. I started wondering if there was a way to connect directly with property hosts and skip the middleman entirely.
That curiosity led me to build getaway.direct, a free Chrome extension that helps travelers save money. It works like this:
1. You browse listings on Airbnb. 2. The extension scans for direct booking links, host websites, or social media profiles where you can reach out to the host directly. 3. It shows those results instantly, so you can compare prices, avoid service fees, and book smarter.
The main idea is to provide transparency. A lot of hosts already have their own websites but rely on platforms like Airbnb for visibility. This tool helps surface those direct options, which can often save you 10-20% per booking.
I’d love to hear your thoughts:
Would something like this be helpful to you? Also, I’m curious to get feedback on ways to improve the tool—whether it’s adding more integrations, improving usability, or something else entirely.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think.