Vrbo Reviews

I have booked a property for 23 people (with young kids/toddlers) on Dec. 3, 2025, even though our booking starts 3/31-4/3 . I used my $60 OneKeyCash which was expiring 3/01. 3/4 after I paid in full, the property owner messaged me stating that they had to cancel my booking because their contract was not renewed! I had to look for another property and there were only few on the price range we can afford, lost my onekey cash, and lost early booking discount! And when I called the VRBO cs to at least put my expired $60 onekey cash, the agent couldn’t help. He then pass me to the supervisor and I was put on hold for almost 2 freaking hours!!! In the end they couldn’t put the $60 onekey cash in my bill, they could only put it back in my account after 2-3 business days which I cannot risk waiting before booking!!

Another 1 star review for VRBO that should be zero stars. I recently purchased a beach condo. Someone just knocked on the door asking if we were done cleaning! We explained that we lived here part time, they said they had rented it on VRBO and had documentation on there phone for our address. They were obviously disappointed and we were a little freaked out that someone could be renting our condo. We called every VRBO number we could find. All off shore customer service of course. Nobody could tell us if our address was listed as a rental or provide any help or explanation how this could happen. How is that even possible that they can't see if my property is in their system? Since we only plan to live here part time, we would like to get to the bottom of this and clearly VRBO could not care less.

I planned a trip and had to cancel the next day. I did not get a full refund and left me with over a thousand dollars out of my pocket with insurance. The insurance is a joke.

HORRIBLE!! Without our permission they discounted our room rate and HAVE NOT PAID US ON ANY OF OUR RENTALS! Avoid them like the plague. We are headed to Airbnb.

Yet another terrible VRBO guest. Since we hosts no longer have any option of reading other host's reviews of guests, it's a crap shoot who is going to end up inside our properties. The star system algorithm is not cutting it. This guest had 5 stars, but 8 reviews that were invisible! He had zero interest in: house rules, communication, and even basic accountability. Left entrance door wide open when going out for hours. Smoked weed inside suite in spite of sign on door at eye level about property being a non-smoking unit. This with a covered deck area for smoking right outside the door. And more. After ignoring all communications, I forced him to meet with me by making the entrance key he'd left on the deck table while out again unavailable to him. I was surprised to find that he was a grown man in his 60s. Not someone in their twenties, which is who usually acts with this kind of disrespect. SMH.

Absolute worst communication and refund details. I booked a room and the next day I cancelled due to a family emergency. I was charged 322.00 and only refunded 135.00. I paid extra for trip cancellation insurance and the process to submit a claim is almost impossible. I inquired with host for full refund, they said VRBO was responsible for that. I contacted VRBO and they state the insurance company is responsible for this. Never will I use this service again.

Beyond terrible. Bad enough that we couldn't get into the place — they gave us the wrong lockbox code *twice* — but once inside we discovered the place was disgusting: filthy, smelly, cramped (photos online were taken in a mirrored wall to make the place look big), so full of other people's clothing and belongings that there was no place to set anything down, much less unpack. We left immediately. The owner refused a refund, thinking they got me on a technicality I guess, with Vrbo's collusion. Their first response seemed almost promising — "We sincerely apologize for the cleanliness issues you encountered" — but after refusing my request for just a 50% refund, my emails all generated the same response: "We're no longer monitoring this email." Thievery, but apparently legal enough to get away with it. We're out over $1200. If were had a real attorney general, she would be looking into Vrbo.

Beware booking anything on or connected to Vrbo! I tried to book a property on a third party site and received a "this property is not available" error. I thought nothing of it and moved on. Fast forward two months, and I get a random email from Vrbo about our "upcoming trip." I log in to the app, and they billed us $655.72 for that glitched booking. When I contacted support, I was on the phone for over two hours only to find out that booking didn't actually exist on my side or the host's side. I have now spent almost two weeks continually arguing and sending documentation to their support through Messenger and email and STILL do not have a refund. I am now disputing the charge through our bank. This is the worst customer support we have ever experienced!

Vrbo CS is the worst ever. I had to contact them due to not having a proper code to access the property. Since the unit did not have cell phone access, that meant driving 15 min to town, talk to an agent that didn't know the basics of CS, then drive 15 min back to rental to hopefully have the right code. Manager tried to put us in another hotel since they couldn't guarantee I could get in house. Complained to my agent when I got back home but have been ignored so far. Never again will I use Vrbo.

I arrived at my VRBO rental to find bed unmade, dirty smelly dishes in sink and towels all over bathroom floor. Called the host, who ignored my calls, texts and messages through Vrbo. Kept calling and he answered finally. Promised to send a cleaner if went to dinner. Left for two hours, exhausted after 9 hr drive. Came back and nothing had been done. Host continued to ignore my calls, texts and messages. We left to find a hotel 30 minutes away to have a bed to sleep on. Vrbo would not refund until they spoke with host and host did not answer. They said they give him 24 hrs to respond. I get an email a week later saying host will reach out with partial refund. We didn’t even get to use uninhabitable property and they are refusing a full refund. That’s is bad business and I don’t want anyone else cheated out of money.

We have experienced AI enhanced homes, Vrbo Host not vetted and scam the guest out of 50% deposits then cancelling 24 hours before guest arrive. Vrbo has not vetted Host or vetted each Host property. Be aware of scams by Host on VRBO.

Customer service group in India is a joke. You can't understand them. Reduced my stay with the property owner and VRBO refuses to reduce fees or taxes. It's a broken corrupt system. Someone needs to take Expedia to court regarding their fee policies. We stay In a lot of vacation rentals and I will do everything I can going forward to bypass VRBO. If you do need to change a reservation, you really just have to cancel it and rebook. Their archaic systems can't handle it otherwise which puts you through their customer service HELL.

Wanted a day early check-in on an instant booking.

This is absolutely the worst company to deal with ever in the history of mankind. I canceled a reservation and they were refusing to refund my charge which they told me to cancel in the first place. No customer support at all.

I have used VRBO for many years with great success. For 2 new rentals this summer VRBO dinged me for a fee and kicked me to the rental company who have sent blank docs for me to sign and instructions to pay them directly although VRBO states not to.

I am a property owner. Last year I engaged a management company that advertises on many platforms. At that time I asked a VRBO phone representative to cancel my account. The other day I received a booking from VRBO. The property is rented, and I let the guest know the details of the cancellation. I contacted VRBO again to arrange for cancellation of the reservation and to again close the account. They did send a cancellation email to the guest saying the property was not available because of a natural disaster or property damage! An email rep is trying to collect a cancellation fee from me. Not only is customer service unhelpful, they are unethical. If you are a landlord, do not use them.

Booked a stay with VRBO that had 100% refund if canceled by a certain date. VRBO didn't mention that the host can refuse to accept a legit cancellation by that date and just hold onto the money indefinitely. For some reason, some properties are not billed to VRBO, meaning they are 100% powerless to get your money back, referring you to your bank. A fraudulent host can hold onto your money for her and VRBO has absolutely no recourse. Waiting on my bank to resolve.

Vrbo is covering up a public health concern by deleting my review of Black Mold throughout house. They tried to return cleaning deposit after multiple people became ill and a few had to leave mid vacation.

I would give zero stars if I could appear. This company has unethical business practices. My booking was canceled twice by the host. Second time our safety was at risk as they allowed a stranger a key card to our room and he was intoxicated and passed it on the bed as we were entering. I had to call the police to have him removed because the property staff did not feel the need to, but he was so and possibly unpredictable that I felt it could be a safety wrist. The police did take him into custody. VRBO has no oversight over their hosts or properties. I have had over 10 hours of phone and email correspondence about both of these canceled bookings and have yet to receive the refund I am due based on their policies, therefore had to book a new hotel last minute on a weekend and pay more. This company cares nothing about the guest experience.

I would give ZERO stars if available. As an owner of vacation rental properties, I am very disappointed in VRBO... Everything about their rental platform, business model and service standards.. all very poor. I do not recommend listing rental property with this company. We had a guest stay 5 nights, pay VRBO on 1/7/2026 and as of today 2/27/26 we have yet to receive our payout. Calling customer support gets you a call center with rehearsed dialogue and empty promises to follow up on your claim. The host platform is difficult to manage, leaving you searching for your payment information. Additionally, if you need to update your use of the property and block any dates, it is very difficult to finalize this process. Please, do yourself a favor and do not use VRBO.

I arrived at the property to find it not as advertised, with no couch in the living room. I contacted the host, who had no idea. They called me back saying that it would be returned the next day in the afternoon. I said that was 100% unacceptable, and indicated that I would be leaving and demanded a full refund. I spent hours over multiple support calls with VRBO. In spite of providing photo evidence, VRBO did nothing for me.

Vrbo left me and my family stranded in a town 4 days away from our home. The place we rented was not there and at 4pm check in you can't contact anyone. They refused to give any money back that cost $2200. Then when I did speak to customer service they were very hard to understand and was in another country. Do use this company if you want a nice time.

In January, 2026, I made a reservation for June. The dates I selected had to be altered, but it was the same amount of nights. I was immediately charged a third, unexpected payment for the change. The host said they did not authorize this charge and assured me it would be removed. VRBO insisted the host called for the extra charge. Two months later, the third charge was still there on my account. After a 3 way call, VRBO was told by the host to remove the third charge.

Will never use this site again. Host contacted me that due to a storm the ceiling caved in. With 5 days before our trip it took an hour or more on the phone trying to cancel and customer service stating that I had to give them 24 hours to contact the host. Host not answering phone or my messages. Had to threaten to dispute charges and report them to BBB. They kept stating their policy of 24 hours and I said send me the policy that states even if the ceiling caves in you still have to wait 24 hours. Stayed on the phone until they processed the refund.

Horrible customer service and I will never book with VRBO again. --I was searching for an accommodation using the "free cancellation" filter. Beware! This filter does not automatically filter out non-cancellable properties! I know because I booked one, trusting the filter, and it does not offer free cancellation. --I tried to cancel THE SAME DAY AS I BOOKED 12/5/26 and VRBO and the Host were both non-responsive. I was hoping they'd consider a 100% refund, same day and all... but no. However, the cancellation terms did say I would be entitled to a 60% refund if canceling by April 30, 2026, which I was fine to accept...but I still had no response on my cancellation request. Meanwhile, I booked another property instead.

We had no issues booking in the past with VRBO however, recently tried to book a stay and my credit card was charged a fee twice totaling to over $300 for a reservation the "host" wasn't able to book due to no availability. Tried to resolve the situation over chat and with the "host" and with customer service and neither would reverse the charges. Fraudulent practices.

I used this company to book a vacation and purchased insurance to the trip thru them. I was unable to travel because of bad weather. I spent over $2500 and the insurance refused to pay and I received $244 from Vrbo who suggested to insure my vacation. They are horrible and was the my first and last experience with them.

VRBO is easily one of the worst booking platforms I’ve ever used. The service is disorganized, unreliable, and their so-called “customer support” is basically nonexistent. When something goes wrong, you’re left completely on your own, bounced around with no real help or accountability. Listings can be misleading, host verification feels weak at best, and VRBO conveniently hides behind the host instead of taking responsibility. They charge high fees but offer zero real protection to guests. No transparency, no empathy, and no solutions. I wasted time, money, and patience trying to resolve an issue they clearly didn’t care about. Once they get your payment, you’re no longer a priority. Do yourself a favor and avoid this platform. There are far better, safer, and more trustworthy alternatives out there.

Booked an apartment in Marseille, France 8 months before my trip. Booking was accepted and I paid the rent ahead. Before my trip, the Host sent me a message that the apartment is not available since there was a double booking (even though it was fully paid and booked many months ago). I called VRBO and after talking to a couple of people in a call center in India I was able to speak with a manager. All they said is that they were sorry and that they would return the money in 5-7 business days. Nothing was done to the host and VRBO did not take any responsibility for the screw-up. Now, I need to find another place which will probably be more expensive since the trip is not far away. I will stick with AIRBNB and Booking.com in the future.

We made a reservation through VRBO on Jan. 2, 2026. The reservation was for a stay beginning Dec. 9 2026 and ending Dec. 16 2026. The cancellation policy was for a full refund if canceled before Oct. 10 2026. Unfortunately we had to cancel our reservation and did so on Jan. 7 2026. On that day we received an email from VRBO confirming our cancelation. We were told that it could take up to 5-7 business days to receive our refund. We gave them 2 extra business days in case they needed more time. There was neither a refund nor any communication from VRBO. Every time we tried to communicate through their chat bot we got a response that they needed 2 to 3 minutes to check on our case.