Vrbo, short for Vacation Rentals by Owner, is one of the largest vacation rental booking platforms. It is owned by Expedia Group and focuses on whole-home rentals, not shared spaces or single rooms.
If you are deciding whether to list on Vrbo next to Airbnb, how the platform works matters more than the brand name. So does how payments flow through it.
This guide covers what Vrbo is, who owns it and how it differs from Airbnb. It also shows how hosts can automate payments across Vrbo and other channels instead of handling each platform's quirks by hand.
Key Takeaways
Vrbo is a vacation rental marketplace owned by Expedia Group. It focuses on whole-home rentals, not shared spaces or single rooms.
Expedia Group got Vrbo through its 3.9 billion dollar purchase of HomeAway in 2015. Vrbo now lists more than 2 million properties in over 190 countries.
Hosts who list on Vrbo and other channels often need to manage different payout timelines. Some also need OTA virtual credit card processing.
Vrbo does not usually handle security deposits directly. That is why many hosts use a separate payment tool to collect and manage them.
ChargeAutomation can bring payment processing, including OTA virtual credit cards, for Vrbo, Airbnb and direct bookings into one automated workflow.
What Is Vrbo and Who Owns It?
Vrbo is a vacation rental marketplace owned by Expedia Group. This publicly traded travel tech company also owns Expedia.com, Hotels.com and Travelocity.
Expedia Group got Vrbo as part of its 3.9 billion dollar purchase of HomeAway in 2015, and Vrbo now lists more than 2 million properties. These are spread across over 190 countries.
Airbnb includes shared rooms and many property types. Vrbo, by contrast, focuses on whole-home rentals. This makes it popular with families and larger groups who want private space.
Vrbo’s link to the wider Expedia network also gives listed properties more reach. Travelers already booking through Expedia or Hotels.com can see them.
Hosts researching Vrbo in 2026 often want to understand:
Who owns and runs Vrbo
How Vrbo differs from Airbnb
What property types can list
How Vrbo handles guest payments and payouts
Fees compared to other platforms
How Does Payment Work for Vrbo Bookings?
Like most major OTAs, Vrbo collects guest payment on its side. It then pays the host on its own schedule and fee structure, so hosts do not handle the first charge.
This works fine for a host on one channel. It gets harder if you list the same property on Vrbo, Airbnb and a direct booking site, since each pays out differently and on a different timeline.
Some OTAs, including Vrbo in certain booking flows, pay through a virtual credit card instead of a direct payout. You must process that card correctly to actually collect the funds.
Hosts with many channels often look for one way to track and process payments across Vrbo, Airbnb and direct bookings. Matching up each platform by hand takes too long.
Hosts managing Vrbo next to other channels often need to handle:
OTA virtual credit card processing
Different payout timing across platforms
Deposit collection outside the OTA's own tools
The same payment tracking on every channel
Refunds and cancellation policy rules
How ChargeAutomation Automates Payments Across Vrbo and Other Channels
ChargeAutomation processes OTA virtual credit cards, including those issued through Vrbo bookings. It brings payment automation for every channel you list on into one place.
So a booking from Vrbo, Airbnb or a direct site flows through the same payment and deposit workflow. You do not need a separate manual process for each platform.
This matters most for hosts and managers on many channels. You no longer need to learn and manage each OTA’s payment quirks by hand.
Most OTAs, including Vrbo, do not handle security deposits directly. ChargeAutomation can collect them for you on any channel, with a 30-day authorization window and automatic release after checkout.
Start automating payments at chargeautomation.com
Hosts using ChargeAutomation across Vrbo and other channels often rely on it for:
OTA virtual credit card processing for Vrbo bookings
One view of payments across every channel
Deposit collection outside the OTA's tools
Automatic retries for failed charges
The same guest check-in whatever the booking source
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vrbo and how is it different from Airbnb?
Vrbo is a vacation rental marketplace owned by Expedia Group that focuses on whole-home rentals. Airbnb includes a wider range of property types, including shared rooms, and is not owned by Expedia Group.
Who owns Vrbo in 2026?
Vrbo is owned by Expedia Group, the publicly traded travel tech company. It got the platform as part of its 3.9 billion dollar purchase of HomeAway in 2015.
Does Vrbo handle security deposits for hosts automatically?
Not as a built-in feature, the way some payment automation platforms do it. Hosts who want a deposit on Vrbo bookings often need a separate payment tool. It pre-authorizes and releases deposits outside the OTA's own checkout.
How does payment work for a Vrbo booking compared to a direct booking?
On Vrbo, the platform collects guest payment and pays the host on Vrbo's schedule, sometimes through a virtual credit card. With a direct booking, the host collects payment through their own payment setup.
Can ChargeAutomation process payments from Vrbo bookings?
Yes. ChargeAutomation processes OTA virtual credit cards, including those issued through Vrbo. This is part of its wider payment automation across every booking channel you use.
