Learn how Vrbo host fees, commission fees, and payment processes work in Hostaway and what to review for reservation payouts and charges.
Managing Vrbo (part of Expedia Group) host fees, commission rates, and payment-related processes is crucial for hosts using the Hostaway platform. Below are details on these processes, broken down into clear sections to help you navigate them effectively.
Overview of Vrbo Host Fees
The host fee on Vrbo represents the commission Vrbo charges for bookings. These fees are separate from any fees displayed on the Vrbo platform, such as reservation fees, which originate from tools like Hostaway. Importantly, Hostaway does not control or share in these fees; they are imposed and managed directly by Vrbo. If you have questions regarding the host fee or require more clarification, contacting Vrbo directly is recommended.
Vrbo's 12% Commission Fee (from October 29, 2026)
Starting Thursday, October 29, 2026, Vrbo is moving all hosts to a single 12% commission fee. Vrbo is retiring its Pay-Per-Subscription program; hosts on a subscription plan move to Pay-Per-Booking (PPB) with the new 12% commission when their current subscription expires.
| Host type | Before Oct. 29, 2026 | From Oct. 29, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-Per-Booking | 5% (in North America) | 12% |
| Annual subscription | Annual subscription fee | 12% (once your subscription expires) |
Vrbo applies this change globally, but rates may vary in some regions. Hosts in EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand move to the standard commission model for their region. For the rate that applies to you, check your Vrbo Partner Dashboard or the Vrbo Help Center.
For the steps to prepare your Hostaway account, see Vrbo: Prepare for the 12% Commission Fee.
How the Commission Fee Is Collected
Starting October 29, 2026, Vrbo deducts a 12% commission from each booking. This replaces the previous Pay-Per-Booking model, where the commission was collected separately at the end of each month by charging the host's credit card on file, rather than being deducted from each payout.
Because the commission is now deducted per booking, review your pricing and your Vrbo Host Channel Fee setting so the 12% is reflected correctly in your payouts and financial reporting.
Reporting and Estimation of Vrbo Fees
For accurate financial tracking, Hostaway's reporting tools allow the creation of formulas to estimate Vrbo fees. However, variations in Vrbo's fee calculation methods mean these estimates may not always be precise. For the most reliable data:
- Utilize Vrbo's direct data export capabilities if available.
- When applicable, consider integrating with Vrbo APIs to pull precise fee data.
- Regularly cross-check formulas within Hostaway to ensure alignment with Vrbo's latest fee structures.
Ensuring Accurate Financial Settings Across Listings
To apply Vrbo commission rates accurately across all connected listings in Hostaway, update the "Vrbo Host Channel Fee" percentage under Financial Settings for each listing individually. With the 12% commission, enter 12. Keep in mind that these settings do not propagate across all listings—you need to verify and adjust them manually. This step ensures consistency in your financial planning and reporting.