The Ultimate Guide to Listing on Vrbo (2026)

Last updated: August 2025

‍If you’re a vacation rental owner deciding where to list your property, understanding Vrbo host fees is essential. This guide explains exactly what Vrbo charges hosts, the pros and cons of each fee option, and how to choose the best fit for your business. Whether you’re just starting an Airbnb and Vrbo side hustle or managing multiple properties, this article answers the common question: “How much does Vrbo charge hosts?”Vrbo offers two main fee models for hosts:

1. Pay-per-booking fee (available to all hosts)
2. Annual subscription fee (only available for renewal by existing subscribers)

These fees help cover secure transactions, product improvements, and 24/7 customer support—while giving your property exposure to millions of travelers worldwide.

Don't see the form to download our rental agreement template? Click here.

What is a host fee on Vrbo?

Vrbo fees for hosts are the charges you pay the platform in exchange for listing and booking management services. Vrbo, which has over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, collects:

• Commission fee: A percentage of each booking
• Payment processing fee: A small percentage to handle secure online payments

Instead of setting up your own payment processor, Vrbo collects payment from guests, deducts applicable fees, and deposits your earnings directly into your account.

Vrbo pay-per-booking fee

With pay-per-booking, hosts pay a percentage only when they receive a booking. The total fee is 8% per booking, which includes:

• 5% commission fee: Calculated on the rental amount plus any mandatory guest fees you charge
• 3% payment processing fee: Applied to the total guest payment (including taxes and refundable damage deposits)

If you use vacation rental property management software integrated with Vrbo, you may only pay the 5% commission fee (processing handled separately).Rules and benefits:

• Must accept online payments through Vrbo
• No upfront cost—ideal for seasonal or part-time hosts
• Flexibility to list your property only when you want to rent it

Best for: Properties earning less than $10,000 annually or booked for fewer than six weeks per year.

Vrbo annual subscription fee

Vrbo’s annual subscription charges a flat rate of $699 per listing per year, plus the 3% payment processing fee. This option covers the commission fee, making income calculations simpler.Important: Vrbo is phasing out the subscription model. Only hosts with an existing active subscription can renew; new hosts must use pay-per-booking.Benefits include:

• Predictable annual cost for high-volume bookings
• Access to premium listing features such as:
  • Placement on international Vrbo sites
  • Reservation Manager tools
  • Up to 50 HD photos
  • Interactive property map
  • Reservation calendar for booking management

Best for: Properties earning over $10,000 annually or booked most of the year—only if you already have a subscription.

Choosing the best Vrbo fee option

The right Vrbo host fee model depends on your expected rental income and booking frequency:Recommended Vrbo fee model by income/occupancyAnnual income / occupancyRecommended modelUnder $10,000 or < 6 weeks booked/yearPay-per-bookingOver $10,000 and booked most of the yearAnnual subscription (renewals only)Since the subscription is no longer open to new hosts, most will use the pay-per-booking model.

Managing payments and payouts

• All Vrbo transactions are handled through its secure payment platform.
• Payout timing varies by country and bank—check your payout summary in the host dashboard for exact dates.
• Refundable damage deposits are returned to guests, and the processing fee on that amount is also refunded.

Fees you can charge your guests

Vrbo allows standard fees (e.g., cleaning, extra guests, pets) and custom fees (your own defined charges).Best practice: Keep guest fees under 50% of your nightly rate and limit them to two total to avoid discouraging bookings.

Vrbo commission structure explained

Under the pay-per-booking model:

• 5% commission is applied to your rental rate and mandatory guest fees.
• 3% payment processing fee is applied to the total transaction, including taxes and deposits.

FAQ: How much does Vrbo charge hosts?

How much does Vrbo charge hosts?

Vrbo charges hosts either:

• Pay-per-booking: 5% commission + 3% payment processing fee per booking
• Annual subscription: $699/year (renewals only) + 3% payment processing fee

Which option is better?

Pay-per-booking works best for part-time or seasonal rentals. The subscription (no longer available to new hosts) suits high-volume properties.

Do hosts pay extra fees for guest cancellations?

No additional fee is charged for guest cancellations, but normal refund rules apply.

So, are Vrbo host fees worth it?

For most hosts, yes. Vrbo offers significant visibility, listing your property not only on Vrbo but also on Expedia, KAYAK, Trivago, and partner sites. This can increase your booking volume and offset the platform fees. Many successful hosts pair Vrbo exposure with a direct booking website to reduce reliance on commission-based platforms.To make the most of the platform, download our Ultimate Guide to listing on Vrbo below! It's full of helpful tips to boost your vacation rental success.

Don't see the form to download our rental agreement template? Click here.