Win More High-Value Bookings on Vrbo with Less Effort

“We just stayed in our first Vrbo — and struck gold. Way better than hotels for our group. We’ll be booking with them again.”

This isn’t just one glowing Reddit review. It’s a shift in how families and groups are choosing to travel.

If your vacation rental isn’t set up to attract them, you’re leaving serious revenue on the table.

Vrbo has become the go-to platform for high-value travelers, and with the right setup, you can tap into that demand without adding to your workload.

In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to list your property on Vrbo correctly for:

• Maximum bookings
• Minimal admin
• A smoother guest experience

What is Vrbo and why does it matter for vacation rentals?

Vrbo is one of the world’s leading booking platforms for vacation rentals, specializing in family and group travel.

With over 25 years in the industry and over two million listings worldwide, it connects property owners and managers with high-spending travelers looking for entire homes — not hotel rooms.

Who are Vrbo’s guests?

Vrbo travelers aren’t your average weekend bookers. In fact, 65% are families and groups, and they behave very differently from solo or business guests.

• They spend up to 5 times more
• Stay 1.2 times longer
• Book 2.1 times earlier

In short, they’re planners.

And that means fewer last-minute gaps, higher-value bookings, and better control over your reservation calendar.

For families and groups, vacation rentals aren’t just an alternative; they’re the ideal fit. They want space, privacy, and comfort that traditional hotel rooms often can’t match, and they’re willing to pay for it.

As part of the Expedia Group, Vrbo listings are distributed across a global network of travel sites, exposing your property to 100 million daily searches from travelers actively planning their next stay.

How do you list your property on Vrbo?

If you’re using RoomRaccoon, listing on Vrbo is simple — and automated.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a Vrbo account

How do you get started with listing on Vrbo? If you haven’t already, create a Vrbo account via their owner sign-up page, register your property, and connect your PMS.

This step is for those new to Vrbo as a distribution channel. If you already have a Vrbo account but haven’t connected it to RoomRaccoon yet, you’re halfway there — you’ll just need to activate the integration next.

2. Activate the Vrbo integration in RoomRaccoon

What is the best way to connect Vrbo to your RoomRaccoon account? Once your Vrbo account is active, connect it through the Integration Hub in your RoomRaccoon dashboard. This automatically ensures your availability, rates, and content sync, without manual updates.

To complete the setup:

• Request the connection through support.
• Fill out a form with key listing details.
• Prepare your RoomRaccoon account with accurate rates, images, and amenities.

This streamlined process avoids errors and sets your listing up for success from day one.

👉 Follow the full step-by-step guide here

3. Sync your availability and pricing with a Vrbo channel manager

What is the best way to manage Vrbo alongside other platforms? If you’re listing on Vrbo and other channels, a reliable channel manager is essential. It helps you keep availability, pricing, and content perfectly in sync without the risk of double bookings or manual errors.

RoomRaccoon connects directly with Vrbo and other leading OTAs. That means:

• Your rates, availability, photos, and amenities automatically sync across all platforms.
• Vrbo pulls data directly from RoomRaccoon in real time, no manual updates required.
• You can edit your Vrbo content directly inside RoomRaccoon to keep listings fresh and accurate.
• You can cancel or modify Vrbo bookings directly in RoomRaccoon without breaking the sync.
• Built-in pricing tools offer dynamic rate suggestions based on demand, seasonality, and booking trends — no need for separate software like PriceLabs.

4. Optimize your listing for more high-value bookings

How can you get more attention on Vrbo? Families and groups aren’t just looking for a place to sleep. They want a place to relax, entertain, and feel at home. If you want to increase your visibility and get more bookings, your listing needs to stand out in both presentation and personality.

Here are proven tips from real Vrbo users:

• Ditch the HDR photos. They can make your property look dark or unnatural. Instead, hire a professional real estate photographer who uses natural light and clean, honest angles.
• Upgrade the decor. Generic furniture and bland interiors won’t cut it. Add personality with thoughtful design touches. Even a light refresh can make a space feel more inviting and memorable.
• Add family-friendly amenities. Think ping-pong tables, board games, a hot tub, a grill, streaming services, or a basketball hoop. Travelers, especially those with kids, want activities on-site, especially if you’re not in a major city.
• Tell your story. Rewrite your listing description to sound like you, not a faceless agency. Mention why you love the property, what makes it unique, and what guests often rave about.
• Price smart at the start. If you’re just launching your listing, consider offering an introductory rate to secure your first few reviews. It builds credibility fast and improves your ranking.

5. Get your Vrbo host payments earlier

How do you get paid faster on Vrbo? Vrbo typically holds payments until after check-in, and for new hosts, the first payout can be delayed up to 30 days. But when you connect Vrbo through RoomRaccoon, you take full control of your payments.

All transactions are processed securely through RoomRaccoon’s integrated payments system, giving you faster payouts, fewer admin tasks, and full visibility from booking to checkout.

With Advanced Collect, you can send a secure payment request at any point during the pre-arrival window, whether it’s days in advance or during online check-in.