To ensure a consistent, secure experience for you and the travellers booking your property, all bookings must occur through the Vrbo platform. Offline booking is not allowed. 

Definition 

Offline booking happens during pre-booking communication: after a traveller finds a property listing on Vrbo, you intentionally tell the traveller (or the traveller intentionally asks) to book or pay through you directly instead of using Vrbo to avoid paying Vrbo compensation. 

Offline booking behaviours 

Vrbo does not allow offering, incentivising, or directing travellers to accept bookings outside the Vrbo platform. These efforts to avoid paying Vrbo compensation are a marketplace violation and may result in penalties, including termination. If Vrbo determines an offline booking occurred, you may be required to pay compensation. 

The following behaviours are not allowed: 

  • Contacting potential travellers before booking to encourage, request, or incentivise them to book or pay outside of Vrbo. 
  • Asking travellers to communicate via platforms or services outside of Vrbo before accepting a booking (such as through email or text).  
    • Note: Post-booking communication is allowed until otherwise advised. 
  • Redirecting travellers off Vrbo through links or embedded buttons in communications. 
  • Cancelling an existing full or partial reservation to book outside of Vrbo. 
  • Changing or presenting the reservation, payment schedule, or pricing in bad faith to avoid mandatory Vrbo compensation. 

Cancellations 

If a traveller needs to cancel and rebook, they should cancel the reservation from within Vrbo and rebook through Vrbo. Rebooking directly with you outside of Vrbo is an offline booking and will not be eligible for Vrbo protections and benefits for either you or the traveller.