I booked with Vrbo for a 2 night trip abroad but the host didn't reply to email or the phone in the last week. Vrbo said I had to wait until check in before they would find alternative accommodation, and assured me that they wouldn't leave me without accommodation. I phoned after the check in time and was then informed that the Vrbo "Book with confidence guarantee" has the following policy:
We base lodging coverage on the length of stay of the stranded traveler's booking: 1-night stays: No paid lodging or self-lodging support. 2- and 3-night stays: Vrbo pays up to one night of lodging support. 4-, 5-, and 6-night stays: Vrbo pays up to two nights of lodging support. 7+ night stays: Vrbo pays up to three nights of lodging support.
This policy is not on their website, not in their Ts&Cs, and is only revealed to customers when things go wrong.
So the Vrbo "Book with confidence" will never provide alternative accommodation for the entirety of a booked stay, even if the host cancels.
I complained about this and eventually Vrbo refunded me for the 2nd night but it took 62 emails and around 4 hours of phone calls.
Having a "Book with confidence policy" with a secret clause to not provide accommodation for the duration of a trip is highly misleading and leads to a huge amount of stress. I was at the airport not knowing if I should board the flight, as I would not have anywhere to stay for the duration.
I will not use Vrbo again until this policy is...
Read moreHIGHLY NOT RECOMMEND
I had this year 2 politely said unhappy experiences with VRBO 1 Shadoxhurst Kent the coach house 2 Aberystwyth Wales, luxury double room with ensuite in the hearth of Aberystwyth
website is somehow provide false information for the potential customers I was about to book 1st property as I confirmed dates and price and to my surprise the website recalculated different amount after I alredy sent request to book it, also the owner disagreed with my bookinh dtes and refused to let me check the property for 14 ppl... no comments
2nd time I gave it a go and booked rokm for weekend. Again I checked availability and price and made reservation and my money went instantly the same night the owner cancelled my booking without any reason ( vrbo policy for refund if I get it is 15 days???? why?) I only managed to get answers from the owner that they are fully booked
so why vrbo is making all this miscommunication and not provide honest dates...
Read moreBooked a stay for London for a family trip. 10 people. Host canceled 28 days before. Visit was in peak season so tough to rebook affordably. I found another less desirable location and booked it. That location canceled the day before. So the day we were flying out from Virginia we are frantically trying to find a place for 10 people! Gave up on VRBO and went to Airbnb. Booked and stayed with no issues. VRBO did not offer any real help or compensation. They said “Sorry, we are trying to make it more painful for a host to cancel to reduce it.” Beware- you are taking a chance depending on VRBO. This happened to me once at Airbnb and they found me a new place and gave me a future credit for the inconvenience. VRBO is simply not a good service since they have no system to properly account for this...
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