When you connect your listings through the Vrbo Partner integration, payment processing is no longer handled by Vrbo. As a result, hosts may see different fees and billing workflows than they are used to with directly managed Vrbo listings.
This article explains the fees that apply to Vrbo Partner reservations, how Vrbo commissions are collected, and the differences between Hospitable and Stripe payment processing options.
At a Glance
For Vrbo Partner reservations:
Vrbo charges a commission on eligible bookings
Payment processing is handled by Hospitable or Stripe
Vrbo does not act as the Merchant of Record for PMS-connected listings
Vrbo commissions are billed separately from payouts
A valid credit card must remain on file in Vrbo for commission billing
Guests may also be charged a separate traveler service fee by Vrbo
A screenshot showing a Vrbo Partner reservation with commission and payment processing fees displayed
Fee Types for Vrbo Partner Reservations
Vrbo Partner reservations may include fees from multiple sources.
The most common fee categories are:
Vrbo booking commissions
Payment processing fees
Vrbo traveler service fees
The fees that apply depend on your payment processing setup and the services used for the reservation.
Vrbo Commission Fees
Vrbo charges a commission on eligible reservations.
These commissions are:
Charged by Vrbo
Billed separately from payouts
Managed through your Vrbo account
Not deducted from your Hospitable payout
Vrbo commissions continue to apply when using the Vrbo Partner integration.
Commission Billing Requirements
Vrbo requires a valid credit card on file to collect commission charges.
Commission charges:
Are billed by Vrbo
Appear on Vrbo invoices
Are charged separately from reservation payouts
Cannot be charged to a bank account
A valid credit card must remain on file in your Vrbo account. Vrbo does not support commission billing through a bank account.
If you manage listings on behalf of property owners, ensure there is a process in place for handling commission charges.
Vrbo charges commission directly to the credit card on file in your Vrbo account. Commission charges are not deducted from payouts.
Vrbo Commission Billing
For Vrbo Partner reservations, Vrbo charges a 5% commission fee on eligible bookings.
This commission is charged by Vrbo separately from any payment processing fees and is not deducted from your Hospitable payouts.
Payment processing fees are handled separately by Hospitable or Stripe. Vrbo only invoices its commission and any applicable Vrbo fees.
How Vrbo Invoices Commission
Vrbo issues commission invoices monthly rather than charging commission when a guest makes a payment.
According to Vrbo:
Commission invoices are typically generated during the first week of each month
Invoice amounts are automatically charged to the payment method on file in your Vrbo account
A valid credit card must remain on file for commission billing
Vrbo monthly commission invoice showing pay-per-booking charges
When Commission Charges Appear
Commission charges do not always appear immediately after a reservation is booked.
Hosts may see commission charges on a later monthly invoice, depending on how Vrbo processes the reservation.
Examples include:
Reservations that completed during a previous billing period
Reservations that were cancelled but still resulted in a Vrbo commission or cancellation-related fee
Other reservation adjustments processed by Vrbo
Vrbo determines when charges appear on an invoice.
Commission charges may appear weeks after a reservation was booked, completed, or cancelled because Vrbo invoices commission separately from reservation payouts.
Reviewing Commission Charges
Commission invoices are managed directly by Vrbo.
If you have questions about:
Commission calculations
Cancellation-related fees
Invoice timing
Charges appearing on a specific invoice
Contact Vrbo Support directly, as Hospitable does not generate or control Vrbo invoices.
Payment Processing Options
For PMS-connected listings, guest payments are processed through either:
Hospitable
Stripe
The fees and responsibilities associated with each option differ.
Fee Comparison
Fee Type | Hospitable as Merchant of Record | Stripe as Merchant of Record |
Vrbo commission | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing | 3.9% | Stripe processing fees |
Additional Hospitable fee | Included | 1% service fee |
Stripe processing fees vary by country, payment method, and Stripe account configuration. Refer to Stripe's pricing for the rates that apply to your account
Understanding the Costs
If You Use Hospitable as Merchant of Record
For each reservation:
Vrbo charges a 5% commission
Hospitable deducts a 3.9% payment processing fee from your payout
The 3.9% fee includes:
Payment processing
Chargeback management
Chargeback loss protection
Tax collection and remittance support where available
If You Use Stripe as Merchant of Record
For each reservation:
Vrbo charges a 5% commission
Stripe deducts its payment processing fees
Hospitable charges a 1% service fee
Stripe fees vary by account and region. The total cost of using Stripe may differ from the cost of using Hospitable as Merchant of Record.
Vrbo Traveler Service Fees
In addition to fees charged to hosts, Vrbo may charge guests a traveler service fee when they make a reservation.
This fee:
Is charged by Vrbo
Is paid by the guest
Is separate from host commissions and payment processing fees
Does not appear in your payout
Guests may see separate charges related to the same reservation:
A charge from Hospitable for the reservation amount
A charge from Vrbo for the traveler service fee
Hospitable does not determine, collect, or control Vrbo traveler service fees.
Questions about traveler service fees, including how they are calculated, must be directed to Vrbo Support.
What's Included in Hospitable's Processing Fee?
When Hospitable acts as the Merchant of Record, the processing fee includes services beyond payment collection.
These include:
Payment processing
Chargeback management
Chargeback loss protection
Tax collection and remittance support where available
These services are managed through a single payment workflow.
Subscription Plans
Some hosts may still have an existing Vrbo annual subscription plan.
If you previously used Vrbo's annual subscription plan (PPS), payment processing fees will now be collected by your selected Merchant of Record rather than Vrbo. As a result, your payment processing costs may differ from what you previously paid under the PPS model.
Existing annual subscription plans may continue temporarily if supported by Vrbo. Vrbo has indicated that annual subscriptions are not expected to be renewed going forward
If you have questions about your subscription status, contact Vrbo directly.
Responsibility Comparison
Although both payment processing options support Vrbo Partner reservations, responsibility for certain payment-related activities differs.
Responsibility | Hospitable as Merchant of Record | Stripe as Merchant of Record |
Chargeback handling | Hospitable | Host |
Chargeback liability | Hospitable | Host |
Tax compliance | Supported where available | Host |
Payment processing management | Hospitable | Host |
Hosts using Stripe remain responsible for chargeback losses and tax compliance obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep Vrbo as the Merchant of Record?
No. Vrbo does not provide Merchant of Record services for PMS-connected listings.
Your options are:
Hospitable as Merchant of Record
Stripe as Merchant of Record
Managing listings directly in Vrbo without a PMS connection
Why is there a payment processing fee in addition to Vrbo's commission?
Vrbo commissions and payment processing fees serve different purposes.
Vrbo charges a commission for the booking, while payment processing fees cover the collection and management of guest payments.
Does Vrbo still charge its own payment processing fee?
No. Vrbo does not process payments for PMS-connected listings.
Payment processing is handled by Hospitable or Stripe, depending on your setup.
Why was I charged after a reservation was cancelled?
Vrbo bills commissions and certain reservation-related fees through monthly invoices rather than deducting them from reservation payouts.
As a result, charges related to a cancelled reservation may appear on a future invoice and be charged to the credit card on file in your Vrbo account.
If you have questions about a specific invoice charge, contact Vrbo Support directly, as invoice calculations and billing are managed by Vrbo.
What happens if the credit card on my Vrbo account expires?
Vrbo requires a valid credit card for commission billing.
Why was I charged after a reservation was cancelled?
If you use Stripe as your Merchant of Record, refunds are processed through your Stripe account. If the refund is issued after you've received a payout, Stripe may recover the refunded amount from your available balance or future payouts.
Why am I handling taxes now?
When using Stripe, you are responsible for your own tax compliance and remittance obligations. Hospitable's tax compliance support only applies when Hospitable acts as the Merchant of Record.
Why am I responsible for chargebacks?
When using Stripe, you are the Merchant of Record and are responsible for managing disputes and chargeback losses. Chargeback protection is only available when Hospitable acts as the Merchant of Record.
If your payment method becomes invalid or expires, update it directly in your Vrbo account to avoid commission billing issues.