Two Ways to Make Money with Airbnb

Posted on 6:50pm Monday 31st Mar 2025

Airbnb offers an excellent opportunity to make extra money, whether you're looking to rent out a spare room, a converted space, or even an entire property. If you're thinking about turning your home into a source of income, Airbnb provides a flexible and straightforward platform to help you do so. In this article, we’ll explore two main ways you can earn money with Airbnb: hosting a property and referring new hosts.

Whether you're interested in hosting guests directly or helping others get started, both options offer potential for creating additional revenue streams. Let's dive into how you can start making money with Airbnb.

Two ways to make money with Airbnb (1)

1. Host a property

The most straightforward way to earn money with Airbnb is by hosting a property. Whether it’s a spare room, a converted shed, or even a unique space like a yurt, if you have extra space, you can transform it into an income-generating asset by hosting paying guests.

This is something we’ve been thinking about for years. Perhaps by building an Airbnb garden room!

We know someone who has had great success with Airbnb. They took a simple approach by splitting their house into two sections, without making permanent changes. They lived downstairs and converted the upstairs into a small two-bedroom holiday let. With a little investment in adding a kitchenette and a shower room, they were able to create a fully functional rental space.

The beauty of this setup was its minimal maintenance. For example, when they had long-term guests, they didn’t have to do anything for months. Between guests, it was just a matter of cleaning, changing the sheets, and greeting guests at check-in and check-out. This only took a couple of hours per week, and they earned between £15,000 to £20,000 annually with very little effort.

If you’re thinking about hosting a property or a room on Airbnb, there’s plenty of helpful information to get you started. Airbnb makes it easy to list your space and provides resources for new hosts.

Simply click here to learn more about becoming an Airbnb host

2. Refer-a-friend

The second way to earn money with Airbnb is to share your unique refer-a-friend link once you are signed up to recommend other people to become a host. If they do, you get paid a referral fee.

It’s a great way to earn money without needing to open your home to guests directly. All you need to do is recommend the platform to friends, family, or even social media followers, and if they sign up and successfully list a property, you can earn a bonus for each new host you bring in. This is perfect for those who may not want to deal with hosting, but still want to earn some extra cash from Airbnb.

What’s great about the referral program is that it’s not limited to just one person. You can refer as many people as you like, and the more hosts you bring on board, the more you can earn. Whether it’s a casual mention or a full-on promotion, it can be a passive income stream that adds up over time.

If you’re already active on social media or have a lot of friends who are into travel or real estate, it’s worth giving the referral program a try.

And just like hosting, Airbnb makes it easy to get started. Once you're signed up as a member, you can access your unique referral link and start sharing it across different platforms, whether that’s on your blog, social media, or even through direct messages with people who you think might be interested.

In addition to the financial incentives, the referral program is also a great way to share the Airbnb experience with others. You can help people tap into a new way of earning income, just like you have, and build a network of Airbnb hosts around you. Plus, you can feel good about spreading the word about a service you believe in.

Beyond Income: Other Benefits of Airbnb Hosting

While the financial rewards are often the main motivation for Airbnb hosting, there are several other advantages that come with opening your space to travellers.

1. Property Appreciation and Long-Term Value

If you own the property you’re hosting, you may benefit from capital growth over time. As your home or holiday rental increases in value, you’re not only earning short-term rental income but also building long-term wealth through property appreciation. This can contribute significantly to your net worth, especially in sought-after locations.

2. Tax Benefits

In some cases, there may be tax advantages to renting out your property or a room within your home. Depending on where you live, you might be eligible for allowances, deductions on maintenance costs, or rent-a-room schemes. It’s always wise to check local regulations or speak to a financial adviser to see what you can claim.

3. Lifestyle Flexibility

Airbnb hosting can also support a more flexible lifestyle. If you have a second home or travel frequently, you can rent out your space while you’re away. This can help cover costs or even fund your own travels, creating a cycle of income and freedom.

4. Meeting New People and Cultural Exchange

Many hosts enjoy the social side of Airbnb. Hosting gives you the chance to meet guests from all over the world, often leading to interesting conversations, shared experiences, or even lasting friendships. If you love meeting new people, this can be one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

5. Business Growth and Skill Building

Running a successful Airbnb can develop skills in customer service, marketing, communication, and time management. Over time, you might even grow your hosting side hustle into a full-scale business, managing multiple listings or helping others do the same.

6. A Dual Strategy for Global Wealth

Imagine not only making money with your Airbnb rental but also securing a second passport along the way. Many savvy investors are leveraging citizenship by investment programs to acquire a second home in countries with attractive investment schemes. As one expert at Global Citizen Solutions puts it:

"Acquiring citizenship by investment not only opens up a world of travel and business opportunities but also lets you turn a second home into a lucrative asset. By investing wisely, you can gain a second passport and then use your property as a rental, capturing dual benefits—global mobility and steady income from Airbnb."

Final thoughts

To summarise, there are two main ways to earn with Airbnb: hosting your property and referring new hosts. Both options offer flexibility and potential for generating extra income, whether you’re sharing a spare room, managing a separate rental, or simply recommending the platform to others.

But beyond the short-term financial gains, Airbnb can be part of a longer-term wealth strategy. Hosting can support property appreciation, provide potential tax advantages, and give you the freedom to earn while living or travelling elsewhere. Add in the opportunity to meet new people, gain business experience, and even explore global mobility through citizenship by investment, and it’s easy to see how Airbnb can play a meaningful role in building a more financially secure and flexible future.

We’re excited about the possibilities Airbnb could bring and are keeping these options in mind as we grow our income streams. If you’re considering getting involved—whether by becoming a host or sharing your referral link—it’s a great way to diversify your income and tap into new financial opportunities.

Click here to learn more and become an Airbnb host

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Two ways to make money with Airbnb