ConsumersAdvocate.org
110 Customer Reviews - see all comments
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VRBO is a travel search engine which is a registered trademark of HomeAway.com. It offers information on over 2 million house rentals worldwide with more than 25,000 pet-friendly properties to choose from. It also provides detailed listings on properties such as those with free baby and kid amenities.
Services and Features
VRBO makes searching for a vacation rental simple by letting you enter a destination and travel dates. It also has search filters which lets travellers narrow down results. Travellers can inquire on 3 or more properties which increases their chance of booking. It also has a “Book it Now” option to select a listing.
The company ensures that the money spent vacation is covered with its Cancellation and Damage Protection. This covers non-refundable refundable trip costs in case customers need to cancel their trip due to selected reasons. Typically, vacation rental payments become non-refundable 30 to 90 days in advance of the arrival date. With Cancellation Protection, consumers can insure their trip cost of up to $50,000 if they need to cancel and reimburse due to covered events such as flight cancellations, mandatory evacuation, job loss, injury, sickness, and more.
Damage Protection helps travellers be protected against expenses incurred due to accidentally damage a vacation rental property. This can reimburse travellers if their refundable damage deposit is withheld due to a covered loss. Coverage is offered starting from $59 up to $1,500 with no deductible.
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Accommodation |
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Single Family Style Home |
✔ |
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Condominium |
✔ |
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Town Home |
✔ |
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Cottage |
✔ |
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Villa |
✔ |
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Apartment |
✔ |
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Website Features |
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Instant Booking |
✔ |
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Loyalty Programs |
✗ |
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Social Media Integration |
✔ |
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Visual Calendar |
✔ |
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Currency Setting |
✔ |
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Language Setting |
✔ |
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Client Information Management |
✔ |
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Mobile App |
✔ |
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Search Filters |
✔ |
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Predictive Search |
✔ |
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Favourite List |
✔ |
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Property Galleries |
✔ |
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Google Map Integration |
✔ |
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Simple Checkout |
✔ |
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Website Fees |
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Guest Fees |
4% to 9% of rental amount excluding taxes or deposits |
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Host Fees |
$349 a year |
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Listing Fees |
Not Stated |
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Payment Options |
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Credit Card |
✔ |
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PayPal |
✔ |
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Mastercard |
✔ |
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Amex |
✔ |
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Visa |
✔ |
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In-Person |
✔ |
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Support |
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FAQs |
✔ |
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Community Forum |
✔ |
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Knowledge Center |
✔ |
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Customer Reviews |
✔ |
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Phone |
✔ |
Vacation Rentals at VRBO
VRBO has a wide variety of vacation rentals and accommodations including kid-friendly and pet-friendly properties. It also offers Cancellation and Damage Protection for non-refundable trip costs for covered reasons. VRBO also promotes travel confidence by giving added protection through Security Deposit, Emergency Rebooking, and Comprehensive Payment Protection.
- More than 2 million house rentals worldwide
- Inquire on 3 or more properties for greater chances of booking
- Cancellation and damage protection provided
- Book through VRBO mobile app
- Over 25,000 pet-friendly properties available
- Broad list of properties that include free baby and kid amenities
- Book with Confidence Guarantee
Latest VRBO Reviews
I believe that Sandra, the host of The Hummingbird Cottage in Ventura, CA, said it all herself when I had called her about the tv and internet not working when she told me she was busy and out of town. "It's an Air BnB... and they don't come with a concierge desk!" The rest of our week's stay continued downhill.
Not a good experience trying to finish my review of my rental of the Hummingbird Cottage in Ventura, CA. I was writing a review and the program just stopped and submitted the review before I had even completed half of it. I spent hours on the phone and the websites trying to find a way to complete the review to no avail. I felt sorry for the customer service representatives, who truly wanted to find a way to help me, but their hands were tied. The property owners definitely have the upper hand on any negative reviews as they can 'reply' with any false information and the renter can not dispute anything they say. This was my experience as the property owner came back with preposterous... Read More
The WORST experience dealing with this company after the fact of renting a property. 4 of us rented a home in Siesta Key, Florida. First issue was I was requested to pay a 'cleaning fee' of $250, 2 days before my arrival which was NOT listed/discussed/mentioned in the rental agreement or listing. I called VRBO to explain this was not mentioned and they basically blew me off as nothing they can do about it. We get to our rental which was supposed to have a hot tub per the listing, it did not. All over the home were sticky notes of instructions/orders/rules etc., which was absolutely bizarre. We had to contact the homeowner to adjust the 'locked' thermostat because it was controlled by her... Read More
We rented a place for a month long vacation in Florida, based highly on reviews and photos. Being at a spot for a month you get a REAL feel. It didnt take more than two days we felt like VRBO doesn't allow negative information....the truth...to be allowed. Number one, among the 73 review's...YES 73, the ones that mentioned it, said the neighborhood was quiet. Nothing could have further from the truth!! The property was 2 houses in from an EXETREMELY busy road that morning, noon, and night there was no escape from. The next door neighbors dogs barked AT us the first time we tried to have lunch on the back porch...horrible. Mind you, we felt this was going to be a vacation... Read More
This company is terrible they stranded me in a foreign country.
We are owners of three vacation rentals. Don't advertise with VRBO. The customer service is horrible.
Rented a vrbo rental in June 2023. Just received message from property that if I still want to rent the price is now $70 to $100 per night more. Vrbo will do nothing!
We will NEVER use VRBO again! They allow Houzlet to be an approved partner. Houzlet is not a legit rental partner. We’ve waited over 3 weeks for a refund on a rental that Houzlet cancelled. DON’T use VRBO or Houzlet.
VRBO offered me 1 night of my 4-day weekend that was cancelled last minute that they couldn't rebook. Only $192 was offered where the area I was needing to be in was around $300. Not a big deal except it's now been a month and I'm still waiting on my reimbursement. I did everything they asked, supplied all the documentation requested, multiple times. If they didn't want to pay me, they shouldn't have offered. They get an extra star because I do like the web set up and the employees I've spoken with are professional and patient.
VRBO offered me 1 night of my 4-day weekend. Only $192 where the area I was needing to be in was around $300. Not a big deal except it's now been a month and I'm still waiting on my reimbursement. I did everything they asked supplied all the documentation requested, multiple times. If they didn't want to pay me, they shouldn't have offered. They get an extra star because I do like the web set up and the employees I've spoken with are professional and patient.
721 1st Street, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida was in breach of contract. They canceled my paid-in-full reservation with no explanation, 6 months after booking.
I booked a place in Memphis, where I stay once a month. The accommodation was over priced for the area, dirty and the A/C was broken. once i FINALLY got a hold of their customer service, I had to PROVE that the home was unfit for my family to stay in. Oh, and I got a refund, $100 out of the $719 I spent. I will NEVER use this site again, and I will loudly warn the world over how awful they are. Seriously, Air BnB is cheaper, cleaner, and you can get a hold of customer service in like 60 seconds, not 60 minutes. Do NOT BOOK WITH VRBO!!!!!!!!!
We booked a property in Houston, TX for a week long day camp for my young son 7/16/22 to 7/22/23. Should have raised a red flag when we never received check in instructions from owner until we asked when we arrived to rental. We arrived after 8pm (check in was 4p) to find a DIRTY mess from previous guests & unit UNDER EVICTION NOTICE so we could not stay. I immediately called VRBO and they gave us 1 night stay and I was told I would be receiving full refund for the rental fee: $ 631.70 USD. They paid for one night hotel and NOTHING ELSE. When I contacted them via email and virtual assistant to follow up on refund, I got dead ends. I will not rent from VRBO again. Worse yet, the property is... Read More
Horrible scam. Booked for July14-22, 2023. Owner Rios asked we notify him when our plane took off & landed. Rios apparently knew there was a problem b/4 we left but didn't tell us. We did as requested & asked for an early checkin. Although our reservation was for 3pm, Rios said it would be ready at 4pm. Then b/c of an "emergency" he was putting us in a "wonderful" place for the 1st night. The place had bugs crawling in the bed. Towels hid two ripped up leather chairs. Stove & fridge looked like a 1960's dorm room. We took pictures & video. Counted 9 live bugs that crawled on us. Washed the bedding so we could sleep. It was a cheap room in need of repair with cheap decor. Rios said he... Read More
I have been a VRBO host for 8 years.... Customer service is always a challenge, even for us as hosts.
But, we are currently going 2 weeks with No Payment (owed thousands). Over seas call center keeps telling us to wait. No way to contact anyone on our own....
So, what's the answer? Keep hosting VRBO guests for free???
Listings are grossly misrepresented. We have had strangers coming and going for all hours from an RV in the yard. Needless to say it's not "entire property" as advertised. The Host (Sam), was confronted about the strange people when my Wife had text him asking; 'why there are strange people coming and going from the property...' The Host responded with making it our issue; saying 'you are being unreasonable, they have nowhere to go.' Absolutely unbelievable response and the true definition of "gaslighting". We contacted VRBO to tell them we do not feel safe. We are not able to allow our dog outside and most importantly, we were never told there were people on the property. It is supposed... Read More
Seems after looking at all the VRBO reviews I am preaching to the choir, but DO NOT EVER book with VRBO. They are an an AirBnb wanna be and never will be. Their customer service is horrible! Always someone working from overseas that I can barely understand. Half the time they drop the call (i believe on purpose). I booked a trip through (reservation #Property ID: 2973254) VRBO instead of AirBnb simply because I could not find what I was looking for. A week before the trip I was curious that i did not receive any messages informing me of my stay, check in instructions etc. So i reached out through the VRBO messaging system to the owner (who in this case was a management company) No return... Read More
We rented through Pam Bates. It was very easy and she was very nice. #491452. Hope to do it again for 2024!!
Was going to Forks Washington. Mom had a medical emergency. Admitted to hospital. Not able to stay in Forks as planned. Host would not cancel the reservation, or reschedule (which was requested). VRBO live agent suggested I contact a lawyer to 'address the host's behavior'. I have friends in forks that know the owner of the house; they were disgusted.
Business Address:
1261 Bogachiel Way
Forks, WA 98331
Horrible service! They don’t let you write negative reviews. Booked a $2000 a night place in spicewood, Texas. The place was filled with bugs, dust and on top of that there was a dead mouse in the toilet. One part of the house wasn’t usable because of the pungent smell. The host was terrible too.
Will never be booking anything through vrbo again!
Very unprofessional service. We rented a place through VRBO 417 coventry Rd,Spicewood TX.,Poor hygiene,dead mouse in the toilet with lots of spider webs and bugs in side the property.VRBO will not let us post the bad review about the place where we stayed and payed so much for it.Will NEVER use VRBO again.Strongly recommend to avoid VRBO at all costs.
Horrible experience. The house had cobwebs and bugs everywhere and a DEAD MOUSE in the toilet the day we arrived. The rental agent was very rude and they had crazy rules like $500 fine for not pulling linen despite the $300 cleaning fee. After the host realized we were unhappy, she complained to Vrbo that we didn’t pull the linen on exit and VRBO is not letting us post a negative review!!!! This company does not let anyone post a negative review about a horrific experience with legit cleaning and sanitation problems. We paid $1700/night for this nonsense! Property address is 417 Coventry Road, Spicewood TX. Never rent that property and never use VRBO.
Very unprofessional service. We rented a place through VRBO,poor hygiene,dead mouse in the toilet with lots of spider webs and bugs in side the property.VRBO will not let us post the bad review about the place where we stayed and payed so much for it.Will NEVER use VRBO again.Strongly recommend to avoid VRBO at all costs.
VRBO does not have a way to make a complaint about a vindictive owner and their reviews. We rented a place in Scottsdale which the owner stated in his house manual to “rate us 5 stars”. There were a few issues with the house and it was clearly not a 5 star home. I gave him a 4 star review which was generous and then texted him some suggestions to improve the customer experience per his request and he proceeded to review me very low (without seeing the property after) on cleanliness, following house rules and the rest of the criteria. When questioned, he said he could tell by my text that I wasn’t going to give him a 5 star review so he reviewed me low. I am a 64 y.o woman that stayed... Read More
We recently rented a home in Tampa Florida thru VRBO and were very satisfied with the home and the Host. The home was very clean and the host answered all my questions quickly. We will definitely rent from VRBO and the Host again.
Rozanne C
Massillon, Ohio