VRBOReviews 2,003

VRBO is a real scam booking platform. They have a one star rating on every rating or review platform only because it's not possible to give zero stars!
Avoid them at all costs.
They host many non-existent accommodation places... you get there and it's just not there or abandoned.
They don't respond to email enquiries and if you try to call them you will find the line disconnected or switched off.
Even if the accomm IS there, it's often filthy or completely different to the description.
They don't remove or pause offending accommodation providers even after shocking reviews.
Go to someone else. Don't be part of the VRBO scam like me!

We went to Italy and rented an apartment through Vrbo. Vrbo advertises that you always have the rental property all to yourself. The message is just you and your people. Well our rental was not private. Anything but private Wedged between 2 other apartments and the owners all living on site. In the same house very noisy no privacy. And Vrbo customer service were very very rude to me and did NOTHING to help. Worst rental experience ever STAY AWAY FROM VRBO

Our Spanish villa was rented via Vrbo and they paid the £4,000 rental income to a fraudulent bank account and refused to reimburse us for their error. Their office is based in Dublin so they can avoid being taken to court for this in the UK. Disgraceful and dangerous agency!

Vrbo reservation ID: HA-86M0H4
This house was dirty. Bathroom basin was hanging off the wall. Grime in the tile grout around shower. Grime around the kitchen sink. Air conditioner blows hot air. Bed was new apparently, but so hard the floor would have been more comfortable.
Owner was nice enough man. He honestly believes the house was presentable to charge good money for a rental. He will not refund me at all. I have video of all my claims. I would not ever recommend this company.

VRBO convinced me to send money to an outside "managing agent" who represents a property I booked for my Christmas holiday in Cape Town on VRBO. It turns out that the managing agent "southern seclusions" run by Marco Manaman is a fake front capturing unsuspecting travelers. I only was able to figure this out because of the run around I was being given and my brother who kept trying to visit the property. VRBO lied to me saying they had vetted this company. It also refused to refund me my deposit to the managing agent even though they repeatedly told me I was safe to send money to this outside bank account… my bank eventually got me my money back but this has left a very negative experience of this company. I went through Airbnb and had a much better experience. Related to the fact that they only release funds to the managing agent or host once the vacationer has approved the legitimacy of the rental in person!

Absolutely terrible company to work with. I am a host and I can't access payment from guests that have stayed at my property. I tried to update my bank details and received an error saying "We're sorry. Payments setup is temporarily unavailable. Our engineers are working quickly to resolve the issue. Please try again later". This was well over a month ago. I have called customer support multiple times, and sent multiple emails and I keep getting told that they are working on it and to be patient. It has been over a MONTH and I cannot access nor withdraw booking payments. This is absolutely outrageous and completely out of order.

My husband, son and myself booked a getaway to Miami for the week of Thanksgiving. My husband's cousin invited us to celebrate Thanksgiving with them (in Lakeland - 4 hours away), so I booked an apartment for that 1 day and night. We left Miami, while driving to Lakeland, I realized I heard nothing from the host. I contacted her, to be informed my booking was not confirmed, and the location was occupied. Now I had already paid, and received confirmation from this very host, and I told her as such. She asked me to send her proof, I tried to call her, her number was not working. I called VBRO immediately. The rep' I got was very nice, very helpful. He too tried to reach the host, but had similar issues with her phone. He told me he was going to escalate my matter, to make sure I got refunded. Made sure we were at the legal check in time(4pm), before labelling it a 'no go'. He then advised I find other lodging. So here I was, on the road, with my family, on Thanksgiving, with nowhere to stay! I know my husband's cousin would have had us stay with them, but they already had 32 people at their house. I found a hotel room. The next day I was contacted, to find out what happened. And this is when this got bad. It was like pulling teeth! I had to provide ALL the documentation, even my message with the host, to prove I was wronged. DAYS of back and forth! Then in 1 email. I was told they'd refund my hotel stay. Good news is. I got my refund for the lost stay, but when the time came for them to refund the hotel stay. I was told to provide proof of when I was informed of such. Thank God I still had the email. I sent it, you'd think that would be enough...NOPE! Was told since my hotel was cheaper than the place booked, they would not refund. So if it were more expensive they would have?! Well, no to that as well. I was told the email was 'not what they meant' and if it were slightly more expensive they would have refunded. Hey VBRO...then why not say that in the email then?! Don't put things in writing, to then say it is not what you meant. I have been using VBRO for 12 years. I will never use them again, or encourage anyone to use them.

Worst experience booking accommodation.
Misleading information on the website.

VRBO terms and conditions are not in line with terms of rental with the owner of the properties.

It took me several emails requesting a contract in English ( even though they claim to speak over 10 languages on the site). I was actually asked by the owner to translate the contract myself! Had to insist to get it.

After you make the booking and pay VRBO, you are told by the owner of extra charges to be paid at the property.

For my absolute shock, on the translated contract I was told by the owner of the property, in these exact words: "you must provide bed linen, duvet cover, pillowcase, pillow and bolster towel and bath sheets as well as kitchen towels". Or alternatively, I could opt to pay 54 euros at the property! None of that is mentioned on the site!

I am a frequent traveller and never in any other platform I was told such an absurd thing when renting a flat.

Tried to resolve with VRBO customer services but after many emails, VRBO told me to reach an agreement with the owner and did not take accountability for the booking as this "was a matter of the owner".

I have requested the formal complaint procedure from VRBO and was sent only an internal feedback link. Requested again and I was ignored.

It is awful to have to make this public, but after my various attempts to resolve this fairly and being treated in the utmost level of disrespect, I will go the extra mile to make this public in as many platforms as I can in order to warn people to avoid this untrustworthy company and do not fall on the same trap that I did.

Stay away to avoid problems and stress!

Too bad we can't rate zero stars. VRBO cancelled our rental 1 hour before we left home. VRBO promised to find us another rental before we landed, but did NOTHING! We spent 6 hours in the Paris airport trying to get VRBO to find us a rental. VRBO kept making promises but all were lies. We had to find another rental on our own. Don't ever rent through VRBO. They will leave you stranded and won't do anything to help you. Customer service is the worse I have ever experienced.

We made reservations through VRBO and paid in full for Wednesday November 22 and Thursday the 23rd. When we were close to arriving at the property we texted, via instructions on property website. We did not hear back after waiting 45 minutes so we contacted VRBO. They provided another number but still did not hear back, so VRBO finally made contact. When we did speak with the property owners we were told they were already booked with a traveler through AirB&B, which had been booked for over a month. They explained they had contacted VRBO to list the property a couple of months ago but never heard back, so they had no idea that VRBO had finally listed the property therefore creating a double booking. The property owner went out of their way to accommodate us for Wednesday evening or we would have had no place to stay. We were instructed by VRBO to call back Thursday (Thanksgiving day!) to see about arrangements for that night. When we called we were told "tough". You were credited a partial credit for the one night. We were supposed to be credited for the taxes, fees and cleaning but have not as of date! There were no places available on VRBO. We found a place available on AirB&B, but the norm is a 2night minimum! We are out a lot more money, duplicate of fees, cleaning fee etc. as a result of which VRBO is responsible.
11-26-23 After over an hour with a dropped called and of course no call back, VRBO now say they will not refund any of the fees (for two nights) since the owner refunded one night (only the daily fee) back to us, per their policy. They have said a supervisor will call back sometime today, but we were told this Thursday and that did not happen. This company need to be closed they are stealing money from the customers. I will contact my bank and dispute and will post warning every place I can find. I have already filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

We booked an apartment via VRBO to escape the rain in Holland. All was confirmed and paid for. After a 10hr drive with our 2-year-old daughter, no one was there to pick us up or guide us to the apartment. After half an hour trying to find a phone number of VRBO, we decided to ring the doorbell of the rented apartment. The owner responded and told us he had cancelled the reservation. There we were, tired of the trip with no place to sleep with a 2-year-old completely exhausted and in need of a bed.

Luckily, we quickly found a hotel nearby, which was a miracle since the whole area seemed fully booked. There was one room left. An expensive one, but with an exhausted toddler, we didn't mind. She had to sleep.

After another hour of searching, I finally found a phone number to contact VRBO. I explained the situation to a support employee and she confirmed that all was paid but not cancelled and something went wrong. The protocol that VRBO uses in this situation is extremely unprofessional. Every self-respecting travel agent would be devastated and do everything to help out the client. VRBO simply told us to look for a new apartment and the extra expenses for the hotel would NOT be covered. It's unbelievable how this company is connected to HomeAway. It seems to be a moneymaking company with no need for the well-being of their clients. We had to wait 3 days to get a refund.

The hotel we were staying in helped us out by making some calls around to find another place to stay in the coming week. They were angels compared to the people in the VRBO company. They also reached out to the director of the local Tourist Office to make sure to keep an eye out on this VRBO company and bookings, because it legally could end up as a fraud.

2 weeks later, I sent a mail to VRBO to discuss all the extra time and money spent. I reminded them twice on the mail. They never replied. It's a fraudulent company. Don't use this company ever.

Beware that VRBO may double book your rental. I 'reserved' a VRBO rental in Edinburgh, Scotland for two nights starting 9/20/23, only to find out that the property was double booked. The only reason I found out ahead of time was that I called the day before. Keep in mind that the booking was fully paid for (March + Sept). VRBO says it was the host and the host says it was VRBO. I still don't have a reason AND they won't let me leave a review of the host. My suggestion is to use Airbnb.

VRBO should not be in a business where customers are involved because they do not know how to serve customers. They are not helpful, do not follow up and try to put all blame on the hosts. They rank as one of the worst companies I have ever dealt with.

Disgusting property not at all like the listing photos.
Place was covered in mould and stank to high heaven. Rotten, filthy, hadn't seen a clean in years. Damp patches painted over. "Landlord said they was unaware of mould!) oh please, blind and no sense of smell then….
What a dump.
Didn't stay at the crap hole and they still won't discuss this or refund me. Had my six year old son with me and ended up driving home! Wouldn't have put a dog in that place, not fit for purpose.
Photos say it all! (The real ones!)

Staff at Vrbo are useless, all work from home and won't pass your complaints through despite them advising I will get a call back twice, it never came. I wonder why.
I managed to get "the manager said the mould was only by the sore not in the property" yet he wouldn't come to the phone he was busy and so was the whole team. LOL - what a joke and lowlifes to be doing this job.
How you people sleep at night is beyond me.
Scammers - stay away

I had to wash pots and pans before use and we discovered cameras not disclosed in the ad. Washed all outside furniture plugged in fridge and waited for son to arrive as we had no water and at my age I couldn't figure it out. Place was very dirty but I gave it a chance even after last years nightmare, do not choose this company unless you shoot craps for a.living.

We stayed at a condo in San Diego that was dirty, loud, and overpriced. I tried to submit a review but VRBO blocked it because they don't like bad reviews. I even sent a letter to the CEO of VRBO and Expedia who own VRBO. They just wanted to shut me up. After spending about 20 hours on the phone and email, I have given up.
Strong recommend that everyone AVOID VRBO. It will scam you, take your money and fully support the host and screw you.

Email From VRBO 8/7 with this information
2303 Gulf Drive
Bradenton Beach Fl *******
VRBO - The host has not provided arrival information yet, contact the Property Manager directly.

With the limited information supplied by VRBO regarding the property conditions, we became very
Worried about our funds to rent this property. The property owner supplied her phone number that weekend.
I contacted the Property owner Monday 8/7 AM to let her know we were on our way to get the key and inspect the property prior to the family arrival.
The property owner would not allow me that option as we only paid
For the property and were not staying there. I somewhat understood and contacted my family
With the news. My wife and I became extremely worried that we were going to have trouble.
My family arrived Monday afternoon and were very shocked with the condition of the property.
I then immediately called the Property owner 8/7 7:20 PM and told her that my family
Will not stay there. VRBO nor the Property owner would refund our money..

BEWARE! Do not rent from this person titled - Luxury Pool Villa at this address. This property owner contacted me as soon as I booked a NON-REFUNDABLE house in Miami. He was trying to get more money out of me, asking if I had infants (that would be a $25 fee per person) or if I was going to have guests over ($499 gathering fee). I said no, I booked the house for how many people were in my reservation. He then offered to cut the fee to $299! Two days after we left the property, which we stayed at for one night, I had a charge of $199 for damaged furniture. Please see the picture below. They cannot even tell me what room that piece of furniture is in. I even told them that if I, or anyone in my party had damaged any piece of their property, I would gladly pay for it. But that! That, is not damaged furniture. I wonder how many others have been charged for this same piece of furniture?

I booked an apartment from August 28-31 in Montreal through VRBO. When we arrived the "Unforgettable Apartment with an Amazing View" was anything but. Had to use my phone's flashlight to find the apartment because there were no lights in the hallway. Upon entering it smelt strongly of pesticide. It was visibly gross and unkept. $20/day cleaning fee? Duct tape plastered on the thresholds were tripping hazards. The picture of the flowers on the wall, are flowers stuffed into a hole in the wall. Crumbling balcony was scary. Not only because of its condition but there was a space wide enough for a child or animal to plummet 19 floors down. We left within 10 mins. Sent the host pics and explained why I wanted a refund. He was quick to reply before, but not now. I did the VRBO chatbot for help. Colossal waste of time which resulted in it saying it could not help me and to phone customer service. Another colossal waste of time. Told me I had to contact the host which I did to no avail. Customer rep phoned the host. He spoke to the host but the host hung up and the rep couldn't reach him again. So he said I had to phone the host to get my refund. I said you work for VRBO and he hung up on you, where do you think I am going to get. I said that this dishonest/unclean host is representing the company you work for, you have the power to shut him down. Rep said he could do nothing. I asked to speak to a supervisor after 30 mins and the rep said he would phone me in 1 hour. 5 hours later, surprisingly no call. The host messaged me finally and said he would give me $118 for the last 2 nights since he could not rent the first night under such short notice. Must be the new math, because $315÷3 nights=$105/night and 2 reimbursed nights is $210. I told them I would settle for that even though the first night still included a cleaning fee in the price. Checked out this host's listing again and couldn't find them a few hours later? Hope he is gone into hiding for ever, not just until the dust settles. FIRST and LAST experience with VRBO and I am on a mission to make sure noone I know has a FIRST experience!

Coastal Sisters helped us in a pinch, we had some business in surfside and reached out to some friends and they referred us to Coastal Sisters. Upon putting what I thought was a decent review for the stay, since we were unable to stay in the house due to the bed being completely uncomfortable, to the microwave not working, to bugs in the home, as well as cracks in the floor (you could see the ground below the house) at the Lazy Cajun, sand in the couches and bed, as well as TV's not working... I then got rude messages from Coastal Sisters saying they were disappointed in my review - then proceeded to call the people that referred me and had them call and harass me about taking what I thought was a nice review down. Then the friends proceeded to call my mother while she has a heart problem and about to have heart surgery - as well as I just lost my son. I feel that they took this way to far and I told them I would give them a good review and I thought I did for the circumstances (which I never mentioned in the first review) This is very upsetting and very unprofessional - At this point I will NEVER use them again! Unnecessary drama, just to get a good review, when you knew your property was unfit to rent! NOW here is the real review!