The Vrbo API connection is one of the most anticipated channel integrations released by Sympl. With the transition from iCal to an API connection, this guide addresses frequently asked questions about managing your Vrbo listings via Sympl.
How will guest payments be managed on the VRBO channel?
Property managers are entirely responsible for billing their guests. This means you must have a payment gateway added to Sympl and must create invoices to charge the guests - see below under "How are guest payments processed?" for more details.Supported Payment Processor:
How are guest payment for VRBO is handled?
When a guest books from VRBO he has to add card details. The card details are saved in Stripe. Then you have to create an invoice for the guest and on the invoice there will be a button " Pay with saved card" you can receive the payment by clicking on this buttonWould I be able to continue managing my Vrbo listings from the Vrbo dashboard?
Once connected via Vrbo’s official API, you must primarily manage your listings through your Sympl dashboard.Creating Listings: All new rentals/listings must be created in Sympl.
Messaging Guests: Guest communication must be handled via Sympl.
Booking Management: Any modifications to bookings, such as date changes or cancellations, must be done in Sympl.
How can I edit guest requirements or restrictions for potential guests booking my property?
When using the API connection, guest requirements and restrictions can be modified within Sympl and will sync with Vrbo.Is it possible to adjust my nightly rates or extra fees on Vrbo?
All rate and fee adjustments must be made within Sympl.Nightly Rates: Set and edit rates in Sympls channel management system.
Guest Threshold for Fees: This is only valid for additional guest fees. Applying it to other fees (e.g., cleaning fees) will cause errors. To avoid this, remove the threshold count from all fees except the additional guest fee.
Important: Do not manage Inbox, Calendar, Reservations, Rates, Booking Requests, or Payments from the Vrbo dashboard, as these areas do not sync with Sympl and will cause incorrect data to be sent to guests.
Support, Help, Tips & Tricks
Where can I find tips for managing my Vrbo listings effectively?
Vrbo’s Discovery Hub contains valuable insights on listing management, booking optimization, and industry updates. To access it:
Click Help in the top-right corner of your HomeAway dashboard.
For Vrbo’s marketplace policies, please review their official guidelines.
Do we support Day Specific Rates for VRBO?
We are not supporting Day Specific pricing on VRBO.
Getting Started
How do I view my listings and listing numbers?
To locate your listings and IDs:
Log in to your Vrbo dashboard.
Click See all properties.
The top number is the Vrbo/HomeAway listing ID.
The bottom number is your software listing ID.
What do the different listing tabs in Vrbo mean?
All: Displays all listings, whether live, inactive, subscription-based, or pay-per-booking. You can filter listings by the Vrbo ID, software ID, subscription Level, and/or listing status and export data as a CSV.
Incomplete: Contains listings that have not gone live due to missing information. Vrbo will highlight the details that need to be completed.
Pay Per Booking: Shows commission-based properties, including their commission rates.
Managing Content:
How often is my listing content and calendar updated?
Listing Content: Updates sync daily between Sympl and Vrbo.
Calendar Updates: These occur hourly and every time a booking is created or modified.
Rate Management: Ensure all available dates have rates set in Sympl.
Amenities: Select all amenities in Sympl and understand how these map over to Vrbo.
Managing Bookings:
Listings and bookings must be managed from your Sympl account
How are guest payments processed?
Guests enter their credit card details on Vrbo.
Payment is processed via your connected payment gateway (Stripe) in Sympl. You must create invoices to charge the guests or set up invoice rules to do this automatically for your VRBO bookings.
In case of cancellation, you must refund the guest directly. Sympl will notify Vrbo to cancel the guest service fee.
Any booking changes (e.g., date changes) must be made in Sympl, which will automatically update Vrbo.
What happens if I have Instant Booking enabled?
Instant Booking Enabled: Bookings from Vrbo will be confirmed automatically.
Instant Booking Disabled: You will receive a booking request, which must be confirmed or rejected in Sympl.
What should I check regarding my cancellation policy and rental agreement?
When booking via a Vrbo website, guests must agree to your cancellation policy and rental agreement. Make sure both documents contain the correct information.
How do I manage guest inquiries?
Vrbo sends new inquiry notifications via email and to Sympl.
Respond to inquiries from Sympl’s centralized inbox.
If using a third-party lead management system, respond to inquiries from that platform.
If necessary, inquiries can also be answered directly via the Vrbo dashboard.
How do I change the contact email for Vrbo guest inquiries?
Select the property in Vrbo.
Click Property > Edit Property > Contacts.
Under "Use this Unique Email", enter your preferred contact email.
How do I manage my Vrbo commission and transactions?
Commission Settings: Update the credit card used for Vrbo booking commission fees.
Booking Statements: Monthly statements are emailed, but you can also download them in a pdf or CSV format from the Booking Statements section in the Vrbo dashboard.
Pending Transactions: View upcoming charges scheduled for your credit card within the next month.
What do I need to do to activate my Vrbo listing via API?
Before connecting via API, review the Vrbo listing activation guide to ensure your listings meet the necessary requirements.
Do I need to add my registration number manually?
Yes, property managers must manually add their registration number in the Vrbo dashboard.