Leaving Hostaway because of their booking fee?

VRBO Pay per Booking with API Connection

Gus and Lindsey W
Feb 21, 2024 11:35 AM
Joined Aug, 2022 17 posts

HI all,

We are considering moving from our VRBO annual subscription to their pay per booking model given that the annual subscription is now $699 annually. I know that this would create more work for us in having to import the commission files to OR. 

 

VRBO lists that they charge a 5% commission and a 3% payment processing fee. Does anyone know if this would still be the case if we have our own payment processor? I am assuming it would not be the case and they would only charge the 5% commission. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks!

Ken T
Feb 21, 2024 9:22 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1706 posts

If you are using our API connection with Vrbo, then, you are doing your own payment processing using your own credit card merchant account configured in OwnerRez and paying those fees.  Vrbo is no onger processing your payments, so, you are not paying them that 3%.  This is true regardless of whether you are subscription or PPB.

Gus and Lindsey W
Feb 25, 2024 8:48 AM
Joined Aug, 2022 17 posts

Thanks Ken, that answers my question. 

Mark G
Feb 25, 2024 3:27 PM
Joined Feb, 2024 2 posts

I'm in exactly the same position (currently paying PPB of 8%) and have just initiated the VRBO API connection. If connected to VRBO via an API channel manager VRBO automatically move you onto a professional plan whereby the guest fee is removed and the property owner pays a commission of 15%.

Ken T
Feb 26, 2024 10:14 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1706 posts

I'm in exactly the same position (currently paying PPB of 8%) and have just initiated the VRBO API connection. If connected to VRBO via an API channel manager VRBO automatically move you onto a professional plan whereby the guest fee is removed and the property owner pays a commission of 15%.

by Mark G – Feb 25, 2024 8:27 PM (UTC)

That has not been our experience.  If this has happened to you, immediately reach out to Vrbo IPM tech support and ask them to put you back.  If that doesn't work - which, so far as I'm aware, has never happened - write in to our Helpdesk with full details and we will assist in getting this resolved.

Mark G
Feb 26, 2024 10:35 AM
Joined Feb, 2024 2 posts

Thanks Ken, very useful information, I'm currently waiting for VRBO to contact me as my cannel link in Ownerrez is pending authorisation via a phone call. I'll discuss with them when they call me.

Gwynne W
Apr 12, 2024 7:28 PM
Joined Mar, 2024 1 post

did you get this resolved?