Connecting VRBO

VRBO is a core channel for many vacation rental managers, especially in the US. Once connected, Vanio pulls your VRBO reservations, messages, and reviews into the same unified inbox as Airbnb and Booking.com — so your team and your AI work from one place, regardless of which channel a guest booked on.

How the connection works

VRBO uses an agency-style integration. You request the connection through your VRBO account manager, who links your properties to Vanio on the VRBO side. From then on, VRBO automatically pushes reservations, messages, and reviews to Vanio in real time.

Step 1 — Request the connection

1. In Vanio, go to Settings → Integrations.
2. Find VRBO and click Connect.
3. Click Request VRBO connection. Vanio sends you an email with the exact information to forward to your VRBO Engagement Manager (a short form and Vanio's partner ID).
4. Forward that email to your VRBO account manager. If you don't have one, the Vanio email includes the VRBO Partner Connectivity team address.
5. VRBO typically confirms the link within 2 to 5 business days and emails you when it's live.

Step 2 — Verify in Vanio

When VRBO confirms the link, your properties appear automatically in Vanio under Settings → Listings, each tagged with the VRBO badge. You'll get an in-app notification when this happens.

If you already have Airbnb or direct listings in Vanio, match them up:

1. Open Settings → Listings.
2. Click the VRBO listing.
3. Click Link to existing listing and pick the matching property.
4. Save.

What syncs

Once connected, you get real-time, two-way sync for:

• Reservations. New bookings, modifications, cancellations — all reflected in Vanio within seconds.
• Calendar availability. Block a date in Vanio and VRBO closes that night. An inbound reservation on VRBO closes it everywhere else.
• Guest messages. VRBO inbox threads flow into Vanio's unified inbox. Replies are pushed back to VRBO automatically.
• Reviews. Guest reviews show up in the reviews section. You can reply to them from Vanio and the reply is posted on VRBO.
• Payouts. Payout timing and amounts are displayed alongside the reservation for easier accounting.

How AI handles VRBO messages

The same AI that replies to your Airbnb and Booking.com guests also reads and responds to VRBO messages. It knows each listing's rules, the guest's reservation, and the property's knowledge base, so it can handle common questions end-to-end.

• Check-in and directions
• WiFi passwords, amenities, parking
• Early check-in or late checkout requests
• Mid-stay maintenance questions

The AI escalates to you when it hits something it's not sure about, and every reply is visible in the inbox with an "AI" badge so you can take over at any point.

VRBO-specific limitations

A few things to be aware of with VRBO.

• Message speed. VRBO's messaging API is slightly slower than Airbnb's and Booking.com's — replies may take 10 to 30 seconds to appear on VRBO's side.
• Photo messages. Sending photo attachments back to VRBO guests is not supported by VRBO's messaging system. Vanio will alert you if the AI needs to send a photo and fall back to email.
• Inquiry messages. VRBO inquiries (pre-booking questions) are supported. AI can respond and help convert them into bookings.
• Cancellation refunds. Refunds still need to be processed through the VRBO extranet — Vanio shows you what to refund but cannot execute it for VRBO's payment side.

Common questions

Do I need a separate VRBO account to connect? No. You use your existing VRBO owner or manager account.

Will my existing VRBO reviews import? Yes. Historical reviews and reservations are backfilled when the connection goes live.

Can I keep using the VRBO owner app? Yes. VRBO and Vanio can coexist. Anything you do in the VRBO app still syncs to Vanio.

How do I disconnect? Contact Vanio support. Since the link is managed on VRBO's side, disconnecting requires us to request removal from VRBO — this usually takes 1 to 2 business days.

Does VRBO charge for this? No. VRBO's connectivity is free for partners. You pay nothing extra beyond your Vanio plan.

My VRBO properties aren't showing up after 5 days — what do I do? Email Vanio support with your VRBO Property IDs and we'll escalate directly to the VRBO connectivity team.