I'm talking about the cleaning fee specifically being part of ragebait. You are paying for the cleaning service and whatever operating costs an Airbnb or hotel has otherwise they wouldn't be in business. Whether they put "Cleaning Fee" on the checkout page or not is arbitrary and a total psychological effect, that's it. Hotels were doing the same thing with "Resort Fee" or whatever else they have. It's a ploy to show you a lower price on the search page, get you to the checkout screen, and shrug past the hidden costs once you've already committed to buying. It doesn't change the final price you ultimately paid, just how its presented. And yeah it's a shitty practice and I'm glad its been going away.

I don't know where you are using Airbnb, but seems statistically odd that 100s of stays have been miserable for you. If it were that bad for everyone nobody would be using it and yet Airbnb is still growing YoY. Pretty much everyone I know (including myself) has maybe 1-2 bad experiences over dozens of stays. And sure some stays are "fine" and not exceptional, but that's true of anything. Hotels are not necessary much more reliable these days either - I've had to leave more hotels in the last 2 years over broken/missing amenities, smells, dilapated rooms, etc than I ever have Airbnbs honestly. Many don't do daily room cleaning any more. It doesn't really line up with the rosy view of hotels that proliferates on here and they have far fewer excuses with dedicated staff, spare rooms, etc.