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.