A complete guide on the connection to VRBO in RMS.

Preparing to Connect

VRBO is an online marketplace for vacation rentals that creates listings for a property based on its RMS configuration and mapping.

Areas mapped to VRBO must be self-contained with their own kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, and the property must be setup with a Payment Gateway to process payments.

There are three types of VRBO activation. 

• Net New Property Manager Activation

• Platform to IPM Activation

• Property Manager Software Switch

Net New Property Manager Activation
Occurs when there is no existing VRBO account. Listings will be populated once the initial channel manager update is complete.

Platform to IPM Activation
Occurs when an existing VRBO account is not integrated with another application. Before completing the connection in RMS, the 'VRBO/Stayz' travel agent must be removed from any existing reservations.

Property Manager Software Switch
Occurs when an existing VRBO account is integrated with another software application. Existing VRBO reservations must have 'VRBO/Stayz' selected as the travel agent in RMS, and the reservation numbers must be provided to VRBO during onboarding to complete the integration mapping.

VRBO/Stayz is currently working on the technical element of implementing the levy. VRBO/Stayz will keep you informed on how and when the levy will be implemented.

VRBO/Stays will Invoice you (the Property) for Leveys and Commissions. Click HERE for further information.  To accommodate VRBO/Stays requirements, we recommend:

1. Increase your Rate by 8.11% to account for the Short Stay Levy, using the instructions in this article. (Only required if you want to pass the Levy on to the Guest.)  
2. Increase your VRBO/Stays Commission by 8.11% so the Short Stay Levy funds are allocated to the commission account for when VRBO/Stays Invoices for this. This will ensure that Short Stay Levy funds are not paid out to Owners and are reserved for VRBO/Stays.  For Example, if your VRBO/Stays commissions are 12%, Add 8.11% to increase it to 20.11%, (12+8.11=20.11)

VRBO Advertiser ID

The RMS Client ID or RMS Enterprise Client ID is the VRBO/Stayz advertiser ID. RMS Enterprise Client that wishes to manage properties with a separate VRBO/Stayz advertiser ID can tick "Use Property ID as Advertiser ID" in the channel management screen. Advertiser ID cannot be changed once assigned. Please reach out to RMS Support if you are an RMS Enterprise Client, and we can assist you directly

Platform to IPM Activation and Property Manager Software Switch

VRBO refers to the Travel Agent field in RMS as Booking source. When VRBO advises you that your existing VRBO/Stayz reservations need to have the booking source as "VRBO/Stayz" or remove it, the property will need to update the Reservation's Travel Agent field in RMS

Minimum Listing Requirements

Minimum listing requirements are mandatory setup items that must be completed in RMS to be valid for connection to VRBO/Stayz.

All minimum listing requirements must be completed in RMS before activating the channel connection and initiating VRBO onboarding.

If the requirements are not met, the following error will appear when trying to connect the VRBO channel in RMS. The error will indicate which sections need more information, and these must be updated before mapping can be completed in RMS.

CLICK HERE to go to the Minimum Listing Requirements article. 

Listing ID Mapping between VRBO and RMS

Existing VRBO clients will be required to provide VRBO the Listing ID for mapping. The Listing ID can be located in the Area Setup Screen.

Go to Categories setup and enter the Category setup screen

Go to the Room Setup Screen, Listing ID is in the Room Setup 

Reservation Two-Way Sync

VRBO Reservation details are synced back to VRBO. Updating the reservation's stay dates and Rate in RMS will sync back to VRBO automatically. 

Channel Mapping & Activation

All minimum listing requirements must be completed in RMS before activating the channel connection and initiating VRBO onboarding.

In the Side Menu of RMS, go to Setup > Online Bookings > Channel Management

Select the Channel Connection Status of 'Unconnected'.

Select 'VRBO/Stayz' in the list of channels and choose the 'Connect' button.

Navigate to the 'Connection Information' tab.

Select the Map By option as 'Map by Specific Area'.

Select an Area.

Select the 'Add Category/Rate Type' button.

Enter an Area Code and Rate Type Code, then choose 'Save/Exit'.

Select the Area and Rate Type combination.

Each area can only be mapped to one rate type in the VRBO connection.

Optional: Select a Sundry Charge and enter an amount for applicable fees.

Security Deposit, Reservation Fee, Cleaning Fee and Linen Fee are displayed on VRBO's website as "Pay At Property" fees to be collected by the property from the guest directly on-site.   These are non-commissionable fees that won't be posted in the reservation account when VRBO bookings are created in 9+ and must be posted by users manually, where applicable.  

Select 'Save' to store the changes made.

Select another Area and repeat the above steps for each Area to be listed on VRBO.

Once all Areas have been mapped, select 'Save/Exit' to finalise channel mapping.

All minimum listing requirements must be completed in RMS before activating the channel connection and initiating VRBO onboarding.

VRBO Onboarding

Once all minimum listing requirements and channel mapping is completed in RMS, go to VRBO Onboarding to complete the final stages of the activation process with VRBO.

Alternatively, email the appropriate VRBO Onboarding team for your region:

Australia & New Zealand: join_vrbo_anz@expedia.com

USA: pmsalesinquiry@expediagroup.com

Germany: pmsalesenquiry@expediagroup.com

United Kingdom & Middle East: shivyadav@expediagroup.com

Italy: mpuccioni@expediagroup.com

France: acuccuru@expediagroup.com

Spain & Portugal: vcastromil@expediagroup.com

VRBO Onboarding will require the business name, advertiser ID, contact person's name, email address, and phone number, the number of listings to advertise, and the primary location of the properties.

The RMS Client ID or RMS Enterprise Client ID is the advertiser ID.

Availability, Rate & Reservation Information

Information on how to connect and what data is sent and received between VRBO/Stayz and RMS.

Next Article: Channel Connection