Vrbo Launch Requirements

For EU/UK Point of Sale only

Vrbo properties will only be available on Vrbo profiles and you need to send supply_source=VRBO in the Content API call to identify Vrbo properties.

API example:

For EU/UK Point of Sale only

When a property has a private host, display the correct messaging based on the Point of Sale.

• EU/UK POSa - 'Private Host'
• France POSa - 'Annonce d’un Particulier'
• Other POSa - Not Required

API example:

"vacation_rental_details": { 
    "private_host": true, 
    "property_manager": 
    "name":
 }

For EU/UK Point of Sale only

API example:

For EU/UK Point of Sale only

Private Host Properties

When a property is indicated as having a private host, display the correct messaging based on the Point of Sale.

• EU/UK POSa: "This property is managed by a private host. Private hosts do not rent properties as a trade, business, or profession. EU/UK consumer law relating to professional hosts may not apply, however the Book with Confidence Guarantee and the cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking."
• France POSa: "Cette propriété est celle d’un particulier. La fourniture de logements n’est pas liée à son commerce, entreprise ou profession. Le droit de la consommation de l'Union Européenne peut ne pas s'appliquer, toutefois la Garantie Réservation en tout Confiance et les conditions d'annulation définies par l'hôte particulier couvriront votre réservation."

Text above in bold is optional. If the partner provides a link to Vrbo's Book with Confidence Guarantee on check-out they may include a reference here on the property details page.

Professional Host Properties

When a property is indicated as having a professional host, display the correct messaging based on the Point of Sale.

• EU/UK POSa: "Information about cancellation rights. If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU/UK regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.”
• France POSa: "Informations sur le droit de rétractation. Informations sur le droit de rétractation - Bien que les vacanciers réservant auprès d’un consommateur ou d’un non professionnel ne disposent pas du droit de rétractation, au sens de l’article L. 221-18 du Code de la consommation, ils peuvent bénéficier de la politique d’annulation du propriétaire. Les vacanciers et propriétaires sont soumis au droit des obligations et de responsabilité civile applicables à la relation contractuelle, prévues aux articles 1100 à 1386-1 du code civil."

How to Identify Property Management Type

"vacation_rental_details": { 
        "private_host": true, 
        "property_manager":  
        "name":
   }

No longer required

Display the Traveler Service Fee any time rate details are broken down. Partner must also describe TSF conditions and VAT included descriptor.

You must display example text verbatim:

• "Includes VAT" required on all EU/UK points of sale.
• TSF must be explained when displayed to the guest (may be mouse-over/click of the TSF fee name).

"occupancy_pricing": {
    "2": {
        "nightly": [
            [
                {
                    "type": "tax_and_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.64",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "property_fee",
                    "value": "4.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "traveler_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.20",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "base_rate",
                    "value": "99.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                }
            ],

Example:

1. Traveler Service Fee Description:

• Traveler service fee (includes VAT): 33.32 Euro
• Service fee (includes VAT): 33.32 Euro

Partners can use either 'Traveler Service Fee' or simply 'Service Fee' in the description.

2. "[Brand*] charges a service fee for the use of online tools, services, and functions available on its platform enabling guests to interact with hosts listing their property."

*You will find a list of Vrbo brand mapping at the bottom of this page.

Optionally, include mouse-over description, e.g.

"Property fee includes: Cleaning fee, extra person fee, management fees, and other fees."

"occupancy_pricing": {
    "2": {
        "nightly": [
            [
                {
                    "type": "tax_and_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.64",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "property_fee",
                    "value": "4.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "traveler_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.20",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "base_rate",
                    "value": "99.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                }
            ],

House rules must be included on the property details page and in the check-out terms as guests agree to rules as part of check-out (e.g. no parties, smoking policy). Display the full content of the additional_information object as returned from the API.

UI example:

API example:

"enhanced_house_rules":
   "Children": {
      "rule": "Children allowed",
      "additional_information": [
         "Children allowed ages 13-17",
         "Three children are possible if one is in a cot",
      ]
   },
   "Pets": {
      "rule": "Pets allowed",
      "additional_information": [
         "Pets must be no larger than 1lbs.",
      ]
   }

Property registry number can be found in the Rapid Content response.

Value should be displayed on the partner's PDP site whenever present in content.

UI example:

License Number: RHL-0000954

UI example:

"vacation_rental_details": {
          "registry_number": "RHL-0000954",
          "private_host": true
     }

Include number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Room size details in sq m/ft are optional.

UI example:

API example:

"statistics": {
    "1073743380": {
        "id": "1073743380",
        "name": "Max occupancy - 5",
        "value": "5"
},
"1073743378": {
        "id": "1073743378",
        "name": "Nunmber of bedrooms - 1",
        "value": "1"
},
"1073743379": {
        "id": "1073743379",
        "name": "Number of bathrooms - 1",
        "value": "1"
},
"52": {
        "id": "52",
        "name": "Total number of rooms - 1",
        "value": "1"
},
"1073743538": {
        "id": "1073743538",
        "name": "Property floor area (square meters) - 75",
        "value": "75"
},
"1073743537": {
        "id": "1073743537",
        "name": "Property floor area (square feet) - 807",
        "value": "807"
}

Include name, languages spoken, and an image.

API example:

"vacation_rental_details": {
        "registry_number": "Property Registration Number SCIA 19367",
        "private_host": true,
        "property_manager": {
            "name": "Rent Home in Rome, It"
        },

"spoken_languages": {
    "de": {
        "id": "de",
        "name": "German"
    },
    "en": {
        "id": "en",
        "name": "English"
    },
    "nl": {
        "id": "nl",
        "name": "Dutch"
    }
}

• When payment is made via customer credit card:

  • This needs to populate with the figure provided by the Rapid Availability API response when present.
  • Example text: "If you cause damage to the property or incur incidental fees, your card may be charged up to "£X" by [Brand*]."
  • *You will find a list of Vrbo brand mapping at the bottom of this page.

• When payment is made via partner virtual credit card:

  • The partner is responsible for collecting charges for damages made by the guest which are charged to the partner virtual credit card.

• When payment is made via customer credit card:

  • This needs to populate with the figure provided by the Rapid Availability API response when present.
  • Example text: "This property also requires a "£X" refundable damage deposit."
  • Vrbo will charge refundable damage deposits as part of the last scheduled payment. If there is no schedule, it will be collected as part of the first charge.

• When payment is made via partner virtual credit card:

  • The partner is responsible for collecting a deposit from the guest and returning any remaining portion to the guest post-stay.
  • Partners may choose to suppress Rapid Shop results that have a Refundable Damage Deposit if this is not feasible.

Include the relevant T&C link for guest POSa on check-out page.

Do not display the Expedia Group T&C link required as part of Rapid launch requirements for Core-OTA (Hotel) bookings.

• Must display the following text:

  • "The property you have selected is booked through our partner [Brand*] and they will send you an email with important information including payment details and a link to create an account which will enable you to manage your booking.

• Additionally, when payment is made via customer credit card:

  • The charge for the service fee and the booking amount payable to the host will appear as a payment to [Brand] on your credit card statement. Depending on where the payment is processed, your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee."

*You will find a list of Vrbo brand mapping at the bottom of this page.

No longer required

Partner should set guests up for a positive experience, which includes setting post-book expectations. Vrbo emails will include:

• Confirmation including a link to manage booking:
  • View and pay scheduled payment
  • Download VAT invoice
  • Cancel booking
• Host communications including:
  • Arrival instructions, e.g. door access code
  • Vrbo welcome guide

Examples:

"You will receive an email from [Brand*] with a link to a [Brand] account which will enable you to manage your booking."

"The host will only charge you a portion of your total today. Vrbo or the host will email you details, including a reminder when the next payment is due."

*You will find a list of Vrbo brand mapping at the bottom of this page.

When the Rapid Shop/Price Check APIs return a deposit policy describing multiple payments, clearly display the policy to the guest and inform the guest that they are responsible for completing payment prior to the specified due date on the Vrbo site. Vrbo and/or the host will send a reminder one week prior and, if payment is not completed, the booking could be canceled.

Display the Traveler Service Fee any time rate details are broken down. Partner must also describe TSF conditions and include VAT included descriptor for relevant points of sale.

Partners must display example text verbatim:

• "Includes VAT" required on all EU/UK points of sale.
• TSF must be explained when displayed to the guest (may be mouse-over/click of the TSF fee name.

"occupancy_pricing": {
    "2": {
        "nightly": [
            [
                {
                    "type": "tax_and_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.64",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "property_fee",
                    "value": "4.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "traveler_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.20",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "base_rate",
                    "value": "99.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                }
            ],

Example:

• TSF description
  • Traveler Service Fee (includes VAT): 33.32 Euro
  • Service fee (includes VAT): 33.32 Euro

Partners can use either 'Traveler Service Fee' or simply 'Service Fee' in the description.

• "[Brand*] charges a service fee for the use of online tools, services, and functions available on its platform enabling guests to interact with hosts listing their property."

*You will find a list of Vrbo brand mapping at the bottom of this page.

Optionally, include mouse-over description:

Property fee includes: Cleaning fee, extra person fee, management fees, and other fees.

"occupancy_pricing": {
    "2": {
        "nightly": [
            [
                {
                    "type": "tax_and_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.64",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "property_fee",
                    "value": "4.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "traveler_service_fee",
                    "value": "13.20",
                    "currency": "USD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "base_rate",
                    "value": "99.00",
                    "currency": "USD"
                }
            ],

Must be included on the property details page and in the check-out terms as guests agree to rules as part of check-out (e.g. no parties, smoking policy). Display the full content of additional_information as returned by the API.

"enhanced_house_rules":
   "Children": {
      "rule": "Children allowed",
      "additional_information": [
         "Children allowed ages 13-17",
         "Three children are possible if one is in a cot",
      ]
   },
   "Pets": {
      "rule": "Pets allowed",
      "additional_information": [
         "Pets must be no larger than 1lbs.",
      ]
   }

The rental agreement link can be found in the Rapid Content API response (when available).

"rental_agreement": {
    "links": {
        "rental_agreement":{
            "method": "GET",
            "href": "https://www.vrbo.com/td/proxies/ecomQuote/dowloadRentalAgreement?unitUrl=/units/0000/1341f175-3550-4c80-b9a1-b6b330b7e032"
        }
    }
}

Many vacation rental properties provide multiple tiers of refundability.

Graphical display is strongly recommended to clearly show changes in relation to purchase, current date, and guest arrival.

Clearly inform the guest that the service fee is only refundable when the booking is 100% refundable. This must be displayed in the cancellation policy description and/or the booking terms section.

Partners must inform guests that the Traveler Service Fee is only refundable while the booking is 100% refundable. Once the booking is in a partially- or fully-non-refundable period, the service fee is non-refundable.

Example description:

"The service fee is refundable only when your entire booking is fully refundable."

UI example:

Terms example:

For EU/UK Point of Sale only

This text needs to be displayed for traders of Vrbo inventory on the check-out page and in post-booking communication.

EG Vacation Rental (Ireland) Ltd

25 St. Stephen's Green, 3rd floor, Dublin 2, D02 XF99, Ireland

+353 15621133

support@chat.travelnow.com

For EU/UK Point of Sale only

When the trader_information, terms_and_conditions, and contact_message fields are supplied by the API, they need to be supplied on the check-out page and in post-booking communication.

Display guidance can be found on the New Deal for Consumers (ND4C) page.

API example:

"trader_information": {
          "traders": [
          {
               "name": "Expedia",
               "address": {
                    "line_1": "555 1st St",
                    "line_2": "10th Floor",
                    "line_3": "Unit 12",
                    "city": "Seattle",
                    "state_province_code": "WA",
                    "postal_code": "98121",
                    "country_code": "US"
               },
               "email": "travel@support.expedia.com",
               "phone": "0330-123-1235",
               "contact_message": "This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to trade, business, or profession."
             }
          ],
          "terms_and_conditions": "https://www.expedia.com/terms_and_conditions"
      }

As part of a successful stay in a Vrbo property there is essential stay information that you are responsible for communicating to the guest prior to their arrival.

1. You must display the information to the guest post-book, on the booking confirmation page and/or confirmation email.
2. You must inform the guest that the Vrbo host may also send communications with arrival, door access, stay and departure instructions.
3. You must update and re-send essential stay content based on the date in the updates_available_date response or one week prior to guest arrival.
4. You should not cache essential stay content as the property host could update the information at any time.

More information on Vrbo essential stay content can be found here.

An example of the email you should send is provided below:

API example:

"vrbo_information": {
        "contact": {
            "name": "Stefano Cicciotti",
            "phone": {
                "country_code": "1",
                "area_code": "512",
                "number": "2970430"
            },
            "email": "stefanocicciotti@yahoo.com",
            "address": {
                "line_1": "3313 Winding Way",
                "city": "Round Rock",
                "state_province_code": "TX",
                "postal_code": "78664",
                "country_code": "US"
            }
        },
        "essentials": [
            {
                "name": "directions",
                "instructions": "Security code will be sent prior  the arrival.",
                "images": [
                    {
                        "url": "https://odis.vrbo.com/odis/hospitality/869c8c64-cd13-475a-a6db-b1ed42b52b03.large.jpg",
                        "width": 1024,
                        "height": 768
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "parking",
                "instructions": "Parking allowed outside the garage door",
                "images": [
                    {
                        "url": "https://odis.vrbo.com/odis/hospitality/1fc269a1-9703-448d-ab3f-d79f5b0a3fdd.large.jpg",
                        "width": 1024,
                        "height": 768
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "wifi",
                "additional_info": {
                    "network_name": "spectrum"
                }
            }
        ],
        "updates_available_date": "2022-11-05T15:00:00-05:00"

Expedia Group collects the Traveler Service Fee (TSF) component of each booking, and as a result we require the customer’s billing country to determine the correct rate. Therefore, if the country used in the shop request differs from the country indicated by the guest as part of the billing address, the booking will fail with ‘invalid country code’.

Example: Country_code=US is used in the shop request, which provides a price for a US guest (no VAT on the TSF). If the guest subsequently provides a UK credit card EG is required to collect VAT to the amount of 20%. If the booking is requested at the US rate for a UK guest, the booking will fail.

Workaround: If the country specified by the guest on the check-out page billing address field differs from the country used to shop, partners should re-shop the property with the updated country code to obtain the correct price. The new price should be displayed to the guest for confirmation before the booking request is sent.

Accurate address information is required for Vrbo properties. If a guest's billing address information does not match, a booking error may occur.

Bookings made without this information may fail for Vrbo properties where successful for conventional lodging (e.g. hotels) on Rapid today.

Billing country must match the shopped country.

Postal code is required for most countries. Additional information can be provided.

More details can be found in Appendix 3 here.

State code is required for US point of sale.

Booking requests must include:

• Guest name
• Guest phone
• Guest email

Vrbo properties support fewer credit cards than conventional lodging properties. Call the payment options link to see accepted card types, display this information on the check-out page.

Vrbo inventory billing currency cannot be specified as partners may be accustomed to with core inventory. Instead, Rapid shop will respond with the correct billing currency for the booking. You should inform guests of potential bank fees for international transactions accordingly.