I am looking at some properties on VRBO for a possible trip in the fall. I have literally NEVER rented on VRBO before. I guess you pay them and can pay with a credit card? My question has to do with cancellation. Since you are paying the owner really, is there a problem if you have to cancel? If for instance, the listing says it is fully cancellable until October 1, for instance, and you cancel, for whatever reason, by then, do you have a problem getting your money back? Any other issues I should be aware of, other than of course, if the property is mis-represented online, which I guess does happen..

We have rented homes/apartments through VRBO MANY times...some in the USA but mostly in Europe and have had zero issues. We had to cancel our last one (2020) in Bruges, Belgium and had our deposit returned quickly.

I do my research, read the reviews with a critical eye, and go from there. Of course, your experience my vary and COVID has created some issues that might not have been there in the past. Like airlines, they are great until they are not.

Re: payment....yup credit card can be used. There is a VRBO booking fee that supposedly covers you if there are issues but I would take that with a grain of salt....but...you do get miles for the CC use

Edit: I should add that we found and thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic modern multi-level house in the rainforest of Costa Rica through VRBO (actually Homeaway then) which we NEVER would have found without them...fantastic collection of properties for rent

Could be some cancellation fees that are nonrefundable. I have read some comments on other forums of units not as described and delayed or nonrefundable. Read the fine print on those contract agreements.

I’ve never had any issues with VRBO or AirBnB. I actually just booked an AirBnB this morning for December. It’s the same place we stayed last December.

I’ve used both sites, but only cancelled with AirBnB. I’m sure someone here has cancelled with VRBO. I think if the cancellation policy is in writing, you should be fine. Just make sure you get a copy of it when you book. Even if the site gives you issues, your credit card should resolve any disputes for you.

I’ve always booked with places that have reviews. I also do a Google search for the properties to see if they are maybe listed elsewhere. This gives you even more information on past experiences and legitimacy. To do this, I normally take a distinct phrase from the VRBO description, put it in quotes in Google, and then search. It doesn’t always produce results outside of the original site, but often places are listed more than once with the same text.

I almost exclusively rent through VRBO and in all of the years I've done this I have had to cancel 3 times and have NEVER had a problem getting refunded, The last time was this past Feb. and because of Covid testing on our return we didn't feel comfortable with a possible "positive" test, so I contacted the owner via VRBO and talked with him directly on the telephone and he was very understanding of the situation and refunded me the $$ 100% and this was about 3 weeks before our trip.

Thanks all for the responses..

We have used VRBO for years Carol, and for us at least, what you read is what you get. We have never had a problem getting a refund as long as we were within the cancellation time period. As with any rental, just make sure to read everything about cancellation time period, etc. Every rental we have had, met or exceeded our expectations. One thing you might want to be wary of however, is if the rental has just recently joined VRBO, then there won't be much of a track record.

OK thanks.

We have rented through VRBO in St Martin & in Florida several times. I think some of the possibility of refunds also depends on the owners. We cancelled twice. Once in St Martin due to Irma and once in Florida due to Covid. It was not our first time renting either place, so we were familiar with the owners. The St Martin time, we didn't even have to ask for a refund- they just graciously did it. The covid one, we did ask and were encouraged to wait a bit, which we did, then asked again. We just couldn't see having to drive all that way, only to have to quarantine the whole two weeks we were going to rent. Plus ,the possibility of not finding a place to stay on the way as we were traveling with our dog and covid restrictions had just begun.In the end, we did receive a refund there as well.
I wouldn't hesitate to rent through VRBO, but just do your due diligence, read all the rules on each place and read all the guest reviews.

Hi Carol,
Disclosure - I own and rent a property in Beacon Hill near Beachside Villas thru VRBO. Have been for the last 15 years.

1) Refund policy are listed on each rental property in the web site. You should scroll through all the pages to see everything. You can also contact the owner/agent via the site to ask questions before booking.
2) If you pay via VRBO and have to cancel they (VRBO) process your refund with approval from the owner. It may take 3-7 days to receive the credit.
3) Yes, you can pay with a credit card, Pay Pal or electronic check.
4) VRBO holds the funds until the guests arrival date. Then sends payment to the owner. So owner is not holding your deposit or final payment.
5) When reviewing the property check to see if the pictures are current (within a year or so). If not sure ask the owner for current ones. After Irma there were alot of properties showing old pictures. :-(

If you have any other questions you know how to reach me.
Good luck and safe travels
GaryB - White Sands Retreat

Gary--thanks for the reply. I didn't realize that VRBO holds the funds. Thanks.

Yes. New policy started by them about 2 years ago. Follows the same that Airbnb uses.

Carol,
Many times the owners become flexible. We had to cancel twice with the property in SXM where we will be in May.
Our deposit was carried over and the owners have been fantastic.
carib cheers,
doctorj

Carol,
Forgot to mention but this is our first time renting this particular unit. We spoke to the owners by phone.
We will finally meet them in May.
doctorj

Yeah, but eventfully they will not be so flexible, I would think. Eventually they have to make money.

one of the main things we consider when using VRBO/AirBnB, etc. is the cancelation policy, which varies by unit/owner...some are pretty strict, only allowing cancelation during first 48 after booking, and others offering a longer period for cancelation....some give 100% refund, some will withhold service fees...you really have to read and understand the policies of the particular unit you're considering

in several cases, after renting through VRBO the first time, and getting to know the owners, we've consequently rented directly from the owner for future trips, usually getting a better than published rate, as well as avoiding service fees...saves money, but there is some risk as you then don't have the "support" of VRBO if things go wrong and/or you need a refund

Yes, I can see where that would happen, for sure.

Exactly...we had a favorite Paris rental right on the Seine that we started with VRBO then went direct with the owners....but....the crackdown on Paris short term rentals killed that golden goose

GaryB- good point regarding the photos!

We have used VRBO several times and we’re only disappointed once.
Always talk( text) with the owner and do NOT send money until all your questions are answered.

Thanks.

The discussion of renting directly through the owner rather than VRBO reminded me of my only negative rental experience. We planned to rent a house listed on VRBO near our family and some relatives knew the owner. So, instead of going through VRBO, we just paid the owner directly to avoid the fees. We showed up only to find out the owner wrote our dates down wrong and accidentally double booked the house through VRBO. We eventually got a refund, but we had to stay in a hotel instead of the house.

If you rent through the owner, make sure you confirm the dates and availability.

I would never rent direct with the owner unless I have had a previous stay in the residence or other place owned by the same person