Learn how to move from a Vrbo iCal connection to the Vrbo API in Hostaway and what to review before switching connection methods.

How to transition from Vrbo iCal to Vrbo API?

When you start using your Hostaway account, you might not have your Vrbo API connection set right away and might need to set up a Vrbo iCal connection while you wait for the Vrbo team to initiate your implementation project and activate your Vrbo API connection.

What should you do when contacted by Vrbo to activate the API connection?

1. Make sure to go through all the steps explaining how to connect to the Vrbo API
2. Remove the Vrbo iCal from Hostaway for your listings once the API for the listing is activated and all future reservations are retrieved by the VRBO API
   1. You should go to Hostaway Dashboard > Channel Manager > Listing Mapping, and in front of the listing, click on the "On" symbol for the Vrbo iCal and click Deactivate
3. To confirm the sync is working, you can (after confirming the Vrbo iCal is Off) block a date in the Hostaway calendar, wait a few minutes, and then confirm that the date was blocked on the Vrbo calendar

4. Confirm all listing settings in Vrbo are correct, as well as calendar pricing

Revert Vrbo API connection to use iCal

• To revert your Vrbo listings to use the iCal connection instead of the Vrbo API, you will need to disconnect your listings from the Vrbo API and then connect them to Vrbo via the iCal integration. This will allow Vrbo to handle the payment processing directly, avoiding any additional fees from using a third-party payment processor like Stripe
• Once your listings are connected via iCal, Vrbo will manage the payment collection, and you will no longer be responsible for the payment processing