Homeaway and vrbo and flipkey will not allow direct communication by phone or private email between owners abd prospective renters. Everything has to go through their internet email system. This has happened recently due to the profit motive of the rental sites. They charge owners now for everything including taking a perfentage out of the security deposit and high fees for credit cards used. It is all for the benefit of the rental sites now. If you find out what city the owner lives in and have their full name you might be able to find contact info for them in a phone directory or online. Otherwise you are stuck with the rental site system for communication. Even if you try to hint at your phone or enail over their system they monitor your messages and will not send any message or attachment that might alow you direct contact with an owner. Carol

Yes, for safety reasons, they encrypt owner's phone numbers. If you've booked the reservation, you should have text or email communication with the owner. Email him or her, give him your phone #, and ask him to call you. Or her.