When you connect your listings through the Vrbo Partner integration, payment processing works differently than it does for listings managed directly in Vrbo. Hospitable becomes involved in collecting guest payments, sending payouts, and supporting payment-related workflows.
This article provides an overview of the payment experience for Vrbo Partner reservations. For detailed information about specific topics, use the linked articles throughout this guide.
At a Glance
Here are the key things to know about payments for Vrbo Partner reservations:
Guests continue to book through Vrbo
Guests may see "Hospitable" on their bank or card statement
Vrbo does not act as the Merchant of Record for PMS-connected listings
Hosts can use Hospitable or Stripe to process guest payments
Payouts are sent through Hospitable's payment system
Tax handling depends on your location and payment setup
A screenshot showing a Vrbo Partner reservation with payment, payout, and booking details in Hospitable
How Payments Work for Vrbo Partner Reservations
When a guest books a Vrbo listing connected through Hospitable, the reservation is still made on Vrbo. However, payment processing is handled through Hospitable or your connected Stripe account, depending on your Merchant of Record setup.
As part of this process:
Guests continue to book through Vrbo
Payment collection is handled outside of Vrbo
Payouts are managed through Hospitable's payment infrastructure
Refunds and chargebacks follow your Merchant of Record configuration
Tax handling may differ from listings managed directly in Vrbo
Who Processes Guest Payments?
For PMS-connected Vrbo listings, Vrbo does not act as the Merchant of Record.
Hosts can choose between:
Hospitable as Merchant of Record
Stripe as Merchant of Record
Your Merchant of Record configuration affects:
Payment processing
Payouts
Chargeback responsibility
Tax handling
Upsell payments
Vrbo does not provide Merchant of Record services for PMS-connected listings.
For detailed information about Merchant of Record options and associated fees, see:
Fees and Commissions
Vrbo Partner reservations may include several different fee types depending on your setup.
These can include:
Vrbo booking commissions
Payment processing fees
Merchant of Record fees
The fees that apply depend on your payment configuration and whether Hospitable or Stripe is processing guest payments.
For a complete breakdown of fee structures, commission billing, subscription considerations, and Merchant of Record comparisons, see:
Payouts
Payouts for Vrbo Partner reservations follow the same general payment flow used for Hospitable-managed payment processing.
Payout timing may vary depending on factors such as:
Check-in date
Reservation timing
Payment clearance requirements
Banking processing times
Hosts can also configure payout destinations for their properties.
For payout schedules, bank account setup, split payouts, installment payments, and supported payout regions, see:
Refunds, Cancellations, and Chargebacks
Refund amounts are determined by the reservation's cancellation policy and payment status.
Depending on the situation:
Guests may receive a full refund
Guests may receive a partial refund
Refunds may be issued before or after a payout has been sent
Chargeback responsibility depends on your Merchant of Record setup.
If Hospitable is acting as the Merchant of Record, Hospitable manages chargeback disputes as part of the payment processing service.
If Stripe is acting as the Merchant of Record, chargebacks and dispute management remain the host's responsibility.
Taxes
Tax handling depends on:
The property's jurisdiction
Applicable tax requirements
Whether tax remittance is currently supported for that location
Your Merchant of Record setup
Tax responsibilities may differ between locations, and tax remittance coverage may vary by jurisdiction.
Tax collection and remittance requirements vary by location. Always verify your local tax obligations.
For detailed tax scenarios and remittance guidance, see:
Guest Payment Experience
Guests continue to book through Vrbo, but they may notice a different payment descriptor on their bank or credit card statement.
Guests may see a charge from "Hospitable" in addition to "Vrbo" for reservation-related payments. This is expected for PMS-connected listings.
Consider informing guests of this in your booking confirmation messaging to reduce confusion.
For more information about the guest experience, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep Vrbo as the Merchant of Record?
No. Vrbo does not act as the Merchant of Record for PMS-connected listings.
Can I use different payout accounts for different properties?
Yes. Hospitable supports assigning payout destinations at the property level.
What happens if a guest disputes a charge?
Chargeback handling depends on whether Hospitable or Stripe is acting as the Merchant of Record.
How are taxes handled?
Tax handling varies by jurisdiction and payment setup.
Will guests notice any changes?
Most of the booking experience remains the same. The primary difference guests may notice is that payment-related charges can appear as "Hospitable" on their statement.