Why are users (particularly rental property owners) deleting Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO)? Long story short, VRBO charges its users too much. Indeed, the vacation rental industry is evolving and adapting rapidly and how we use the internet is changing at an increasing rate. Vacation rental property renters and users are faced with many more factors compared to what existed just a few years ago. As always, those who adapt best, survive.

Why are people deleting VRBO?

Successful businesses of all sorts, including vacation rental businesses, are likely to collapse in favor of up and coming more adaptable businesses that learn the tricks to thrive and adapt.  

Why Delete Your VRBO Account?

Maybe you’ve become tired of paying VRBO fees. Maybe you’ve changed your travel plans and don’t want your data kept. Perhaps you have your own booking complaints. *Note that once you delete your VRBO account, you cannot recover it, so make absolutely sure it’s something you want to do.

Also, note that VRBO only deletes user data when requested IF:

  • The account user is no longer interested in using his/her account.
  • The law compels them to.

Otherwise, your data will remain stored on VRBO’s servers indefinitely.

Related: Does VRBO Take PayPal?

What Types Of Data Can VRBO Delete Upon Request?

VRBO will likely not delete information such as your transaction history or your filed complaints, but once they’ve approved your deletion request, they will delete other types of data, such as: 

  • Your account information
  • VRBO’s marketing email history/interactions with you
  • Any reviews, surveys, and feedback you provided

How Do I Delete My VRBO Account? 

If you are looking to deactivate or delete your VRBO account, the vacation rental company allows you to delete your account directly through your portal or via email. Before you delete your account, log in to your VRBO account to confirm that your contact details are correct. 

Deactivating Your VRBO Account on Its Website

Follow these steps to delete your VRBO account through the website.

  • Visit https://www.vrbo.com and log in to your VRBO account
  • Locate your name at the top right of the webpage and click on it
  • Select the desired VRBO account
  • In the profile visibility section, switch its setting to the left

Deleting Your VRBO Account Through Email 

To delete your VRBO account via email:

  • Visit https://www.vrbo.com and log in to your VRBO account
  • Contact VRBO’s Support Team at [email protected]
  • Email them your request and include a valid reason for exiting VRBO (you can even just say you prefer to delete your account)
  • Also include your account number and password change instructions
  • VRBO will contact you within 4 – 6 weeks via email or phone
  • VRBO will use your most current contact information to respond to your account deletion request, and the resolution will be delayed and/or possibly canceled if your contact information is not up-to-date.  

Don’t worry about following up if they don’t respond immediately, but if any new information that may speed up the process comes to light, you are welcome to share it with VRBO customer support. 

This VRBO account deletion process can prove to be somewhat complex and may even frustrate you, but be patient.

Related: Questions to Ask a Friend After a Vacation

How Do I Delete a VRBO Property Owner Account?

So, how do you delete your VRBO property owner account? Remember, deleting your account is a permanent action and cannot be recovered. Once your account is deleted, neither you nor VRBO customer support will be able to access your historic booking information.

If you’re currently on a trip or vacation, or if you have pending trips associated with your account, you’ll need complete these in order to request VRBO account deletion. 

To delete your VRBO account, follow these steps: 

  • If you have a property owner account, please contact VRBO Customer Support for help deleting your account. 

Deleting Your VRBO Account On The VRBO Website:  

  • Sign in to your VRBO account, and select “My Profile”
  • Select “Settings”
  • Select “Delete Account” and follow the prompts to confirm the deletion request

For iOS Mobile Apps: 

  • Sign in to your VRBO account
  • In the bottom-right corner of the app window, select the “Account” icon  
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen 
  1. Select “Delete Account” and follow the prompts to confirm the deletion

For Android Mobile Apps:

  • Please visit the VRBO desktop site or mobile website and follow the above steps. For help deleting your account, contact VRBO directly via phone or email. 

How Do I Delete a Property/Unit on VRBO?

There are a couple ways to delete your property or unit from VRBO. How you do it will depend on if your listing is current published or not.

How To Delete It If Your Listing Has NOT Been Published Yet:

  • Click the “Property” icon in the menu
  • Select the desired unit from the list
  • Click “Manage” to expand drop-down menu
  • Click “Archive

How To Delete It If Your Listing Has Been Published:

You are able to “hide” a unit temporarily by contacting the VRBO customer service team, 24/7, for help. If you no longer own the unit or will never choose to list it again, you should be sure to remove the entire listing. If you so choose, you can relist separate units within a multi-unit listing that you want shown live on the VRBO website.

If you need to, you can always switch a multi-unit listing to a single unit property through the VRBO website. If doing so, be sure to remove any reference to additional units in the property descriptions for your listing.

What’s the Difference Between Archiving and Deleting a Property/Unit on VRBO?

A property/unit is archived when it’s no longer shown as part of your active property portfolio. You can still keep all associated records without having them mixed in with your active portfolio. Also, financial data associated with archived property/units will not be reflected in your “Reports” or key statistics on your “Performance” page. To access archived properties/units and their pertinent data, you need to unarchive it first.

Once a VRBO property/unit is deleted, all associated information (separate units, leases, transactions, applications) will be permanently removed from the VRBO’s database. 

Related:

How Does VRBO Verify Properties?

Why Are People Deleting VRBO?

How To Change My Email Address On VRBO?

So, Why Are People Deleting VRBO?

People Deleting VRBO because VRBO charges a lot of fees to their users. the vacation rental business is a tough one and every dollar counts. some people have decided to list their properties on other platforms.

Alternative platforms to list your vacation rental property.

There are a number of really great platforms that have different pricing modules to VRBO. Here are some VRBO alternatives to look into.

Booking.com – Booking.com is a website where property owners can list their rental properties, such as apartments, houses, and vacation rentals, for travelers to book. Property owners can set their own rates and availability, and travelers can search for and book properties on the site.

Glamphub – Glamphub is a platform for property owners to list their luxury vacation rentals and for travellers to book them. It’s a platform that cater to the high-end segment of the market and features villas, castles, private islands and other luxury properties.

HomeStay – HomeStay is a vacation rental platform that connects property owners with travelers looking for short-term stays. It allows property owners to list their properties and manage bookings, and for travelers to search for and book properties.

Expedia – Expedia is a travel website that provides a wide range of services for travelers, including booking flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation rentals. Property owners can list their rental properties on the site, so that travelers can book them along with their travel arrangements.

Airbnb – Airbnb is a platform that allows property owners to list their properties for short-term rentals to travelers. It has a wide range of properties available, including apartments, houses, and unique accommodations like treehouses and yurts.

HouseStay – HouseStay is a vacation rental platform that allow property owners to list their properties and manage bookings, travelers can search for and book properties. It’s specially geared towards entire houses and long-term stays.

Holidu – It’s a vacation rental search engine that allows property owners to list their properties and allows travelers to search and compare rentals from various providers. It features a wide variety of rental options, including apartments, houses, and villas.

PlumGuide – PlumGuide is a platform that specializes in luxury vacation rentals. It offers a handpicked selection of homes that have been curated and inspected by in-house experts, so travellers can be sure of the quality of the rentals they are booking.

Tripadvisor – Did you know you can list your property on Traveladvisor? Not only is it a travel website that provides reviews and information on destinations, hotels, and vacation rentals, among other things. It also allows property owners to list their properties and manage their listings, so that travelers can book them directly through the site.

Agoda – Agoda is a online travel agency, it allow travellers to book accommodation, flights, and rental cars, it also offers vacation rentals for property owners to list their properties for travellers to book. Agoda is well known for its extensive network of properties in Asia.

What Is VRBO?

Since 1995, VRBO has served millions of rental property owners and tourists all over the world. The site/app enables travelers to rent choice properties they can stay in while on vacation or traveling.

VRBO (and HomeAway, which is essentially the same company) is able to bring together property rental owners and vacationers. If a rental property is listed on VRBO, it will automatically be listed on HomeAway.com, too. Fun facts: Both of these vacation rental brands are owned by the Expedia Group (which also owns Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, and others.  

And, How Do You Cancel Your VRBO Account? 

You may cancel/delete/archive your VRBO account or any individual properties through the VRBO website, iPhone app, or with the help of customer service (phone/email). Remember, once a VRBO account is deleted, you won’t be able to recover it or any of its data.

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