George--a lot of private owners do not accept credit cards. Agreed that is more protection, but not always possible. The last VRBO place we stayed at did not accept credit cards, but I knew someone who regularly stayed there, so felt fine sending a check. I was able to talk directly to the owner on the phone also, so that gave me a higher level of confidence.

The explanation that I have heard, from more than one person, as to why many private owners do not accept credit cards, is basically a scam in reverse, by renters. People pay with a credit card, and then MAKE UP something that the place was uninhabitable and dispute the charge, and the owners get screwed out of a rental. I THINK that VRBO has some kind of protection for their rental clients now? Not sure.