Fee Policy

Overview

Makai operates a two-sided marketplace connecting boat owners and captains with renters. To maintain the platform, provide customer support, process payments securely, and continuously improve the experience for all users, Makai charges fees to both renters and owners. This policy explains each fee, who pays it, and when it applies.

Renter Fees

When you book a vessel on Makai, the following fees are added to the base rental price set by the owner:

• Service Fee — 7% of base rental: This fee covers platform operations, customer support, payment processing infrastructure, and trust & safety programs. The service fee is calculated on the base rental amount before taxes.
• Payment Processing Fee — 2.9% + $0.30: This fee is charged by our payment processor (Stripe) to securely handle your transaction. It is applied to the total charge amount (base rental + service fee + applicable taxes).
• Sales Tax — applicable rate: Sales tax is collected where required by law. The rate varies by the jurisdiction of the vessel's departure location. Tax is calculated on the base rental amount plus the service fee.

Owner Fees

• Owner Commission — 7% of base rental: This commission is deducted from the owner's payout after a completed trip. It covers marketplace listing, booking management, payment facilitation, and dispute resolution services provided to the owner.

There are no upfront costs to list a vessel on Makai. The owner commission is only charged when a booking is completed.

Tips

Renters may add an optional tip during the booking process. Tips are passed through 100% to the owner — Makai does not charge any service fee or commission on tips. Tips are included in the owner's payout.

Example Breakdown

The following example illustrates how fees are calculated on a $100 base rental with no tip, using an illustrative 7% sales tax rate. Your actual tax rate may differ.

What the Renter Pays

What the Owner Receives

Payout Timing

Owner payouts are initiated after the trip is completed. Funds are transferred to the owner's connected Stripe account and typically arrive within 2–7 business days, depending on the owner's bank. Payouts are processed via Stripe Connect. Owners can view payout status and history in their Stripe dashboard.

Fees on Cancellation

If a booking is cancelled, the Makai Service Fee is generally non-refundable. Exceptions may be made for qualifying extenuating circumstances (such as weather advisories, medical emergencies, or owner cancellations), in which case the service fee may be refunded at Makai's discretion. For full details on cancellation refund tiers and extenuating circumstances, see our Cancellation Policy.

Discounts & Coupons

When a discount code or coupon is applied to a booking, the discount is applied to the base rental amount first. All fees (service fee, owner commission, processing fee, and applicable taxes) are then calculated on the discounted amount. For example, a 10% coupon on a $100 booking reduces the base rental to $90, and all fees are computed on $90.

Security Deposits

Some owners may require a security deposit for their vessel. Security deposits are handled as a pre-authorization (hold) on the renter's payment method — the funds are not captured unless a damage claim is filed. If no damage is reported within 7 days of the trip completion, the hold is automatically released. If a claim is filed, Makai will review the evidence and may capture all or part of the deposit.

Changes to Fees

Makai reserves the right to modify its fee structure at any time. We will notify users of material changes via email or in-app notification at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Fee changes will not apply to bookings that have already been confirmed at the time of the change.

Contact Us

Questions about fees? Contact us at support@themakaiapp.com

Makai Technologies, Inc.
Florida, United States