VRBOReviews 1,999

As an owner, I now understand from my guests that they had one option for Rental Cancellation Insurance - CSA that does NOT include cancellation for any reason (e.g. Pandemic). All cancellation coverage requests have been denied due to the WHO declaring a pandemic on May 15th. VRBO did not offer renters insurance options for the pandemic. They are now strong arming owners to refund 100% or face down graded ratings. Why didn't VRBO offer other options for cancellation insurance. I am moving away from VRBO going forward as should guests. Bad for both parties!

I cancelled a VRBO rental within the cancellation window. Property #******* and Reservation ID HA-LYVJT6.
I did it in the their app and it cancelled immediately and said the credit will be applied in 1-2 weeks. We are now past 2 weeks and customer service is clueless about where it is in the process. About the only thing they say is "trust me" it will be refunded at some point. I cancelled with 4 other vendors for the same trip and they have all applied a credit to my card. I booked another rental via airbnb instead since these people could not even apply anything to the new rental. There will no "no trust" a second time with this company.

I booked a VRBO property for dates in July, 2020. Shortly after (the following day) I received a call from the owner of the property stating the property had been promised verbally to someone else and was told to cancel the booking. I did so. When I called VRBO I was told I would have to pay the charge and they would refund me in 4 weeks. I explained that this booking snafu was not mine and I in good faith booked through VRBO and would like the transaction nullified before payment or incurring credit card fees. They told me to contact the property owner. When I asked why, VRBO said to deal with the owner regarding the refund. I was on the phone for 38 minutes, being put on hold and read script. This was a totally unsatisfying booking with VRBO, especially the customer service.
GRRRR

VRBO is a scam company that allows dishonest property owners who post their own reviews to list overpriced properties.
Here is an example of a beach front property they list in San Diego:
https://www.vrbo.com/*******?noDates=true
Sounds wonderful, right? Not so fast!
They owner of this property listed her own glowing Yelp review that is a lie:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-big-beach-house-san-diego
The owner is Patty S. Her self-posted review is a lie. (See photo). She might ruin your vacation if you rent her place. She did exactly that to us.
You will be much better off if book your place at legitimate resort or hotel. If you need to change or cancel in most cases commerical places will work with you. VRBO property owners have total power over you and may refuse to refund.

I had to cancel my reservation as Canadian Government issued a Travel Advisory on March 13/20. My stay was for March 18 to April 30. VRBO refunded their fees and I received the cleaning fee back as well. The owner refuses to refund my money and will not let me reschedule the trip. VRBO says that will attempt to help me but they never return my calls or provide any updates on my issue. VERY POOR customer service! My rental agreement states that the cancellation policy is per VRBO policy. VRBO emergency policy is that customers be refunded or rescheduled. Owner refuses both and VRBO DOES NOTHING!.

Wonderful Cabin especially for a larger group. Backs up to a forest. Pets are welcome and ours thoroughly enjoyed being outside. Really nice layout and bathrooms everywhere which was really nice. Peaceful and serene. Greatly enjoyed the gas fire pit on the patio, the hot tub and the wonderful ranch table next to the kitchen. Perfect for board games! Only opportunity is that the kitchenware and appliances could use a refresh. Washer and Dryer were perfect. Brian and Sara were very responsive to our needs and quickly supported a request to extend the stay an additional day. Thank you!

On our fifth rental through VRBO, my cancellation insurance was not honored. A health problem arose three days before departure, and while VRBO accepted that the insurance was checked on the application, the insurers deny. From then on, endless dead-end phone calls, mails, and chats, until I gave up. No employee took the case in hand, ans Sysiphus was not happy watching the process roll down hill each time. A pity, as the properties have always lived up to their description, but the personnel at VRBO lack competence to handle a problem.

We spent a week in Grand Turk at West Road Reef House in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk. It was completely misrepresented! Obviously, we based our decision on the photos and description on VRBO. The photos were from the prior owner and the living area no longer looks that way. The furniture is old, very uncomfortable and definitely drab looking! The description says it is "meticulously maintained"... a HUGE lie! It was listed as a 3BR/2BA, which is also not true. It was a 2BR with a loft that had 2 kid sized beds. We were 3 senior ladies traveling together and we expected that we would each have our own bedroom! Stay away from VRBO and West Road Reef House!

I'm tired of hearing from VRBO owners that this is a tough time for them as well, therefore they have license to take what is not theirs. What kind of world do we now live in when it's justified to take money from someone when you did not provide a service or product? My airline canceled my flight, and my conference was canceled, due to Covid19. Beyond my control. I cannot even get to the VRBO property if I wanted to. So... I would like a refund. If I don't provide any service to my clients, I don't (and CAN'T) charge them.
Most VRBO hosts make their monthly mortgage with a 4-7 day stay/booking. So, I have ZERO compassion, when the host tells me "I have a mortgage to pay, so I won't refund you". I don't care; that's BS. I have a mortgage, which I easily deferred (a simple email) until this Covid19 pandemic is over. I also applied for the Emergency Relief Fund, due to lost income. These hosts just want easy and free money; just be less-awful people, and apply for the Emergency Fund, like good people across Canada have done. I also have no work, and hence no paycheque. So, don't give me your sob stories, owners. Covid19 does not justify theft. Airbnb did the right thing, and refunded upon request. VRBO will be no more after this, I suspect.
Imagine if I told my clients (that I had to cancel), "I'm taking the money from your scheduled treatment because I have a mortgage to pay. Sorry you didn't get your treatment, but I need the money, too". I'd get shut down, and lose my license.
Step up, VRBO. Mandate your property owners to refund 100%. People will not forget this. And owners/hosts, stuff it. I'll be staying at a hotel next year. And not booked through Expedia, either (Expedia and VRBO are mostly one-in-the same, BTW).
Karma can be a nasty thing, folks.