New capabilities to attract bookings, increase revenue and simplify property management – Vrbo Sponsored Listings now available globally with no upfront cost for partners
In one of its biggest moves to date in the vacation rentals sector, Expedia Group is introducing 12 new products and features for the Vrbo and Escapia platforms, seeking to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving short-term and vacation rental market.
The new capabilities cover a wide range of needs for property owners and professional property managers: from increasing visibility and attracting more bookings to automating guest communication, cancellation policies and payment management.
As Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Expedia Group, stated, the company is entering a “particularly exciting era” for the vacation rentals sector, with investments that, according to the company, aim both to improve the traveler experience and support the growth of its partners.
Vrbo: More tools for bookings and revenue
At the center of the new strategy is Vrbo, with Expedia Group adding tools that allow partners to increase the visibility of their properties and leverage different pricing strategies.
Advertising without upfront cost
One of the most important new features is Vrbo Sponsored Listings, which is now available globally following a pilot program with partners such as AvantStay, Vacation Rental Collective and Liquid Life Vacation Rentals.
The model is based on a charge per night that is ultimately completed, with no upfront advertising cost. Properties can therefore gain prominent placement in Vrbo search results, with the aim of increasing visibility and, consequently, bookings.
New options for pricing and promotions
Vrbo is also expanding its pricing and promotional management tools. Expedia Group notes that 91% of travelers searching for vacation rentals are influenced by deals, making promotional activities an important factor in property selection. Among the new capabilities are:
- Same-Day Bookings: Eligible partners can enable bookings up to 24 hours before arrival, seeking to capture a larger share of the last-minute traveler market.
- Limited Time Offers: The new feature, expected soon, will give greater visibility to properties participating during periods of high commercial activity, such as Black Friday and seasonal sales.
- Vrbo Listings on Expedia Packages: In the next stage, Vrbo properties will be able to be included in Expedia packages together with flights, car rentals and other elements of a trip.
- Non-refundable Rates: Partners will be able to offer refundable and lower-priced non-refundable rates at the same time, reaching travelers who are more price-sensitive.
Emphasis also on the guest experience
Expedia Group is seeking to improve not only the attraction of bookings but also the management of the stay.
The new Welcome Guide brings together essential property information in one place and can automatically send guests access instructions before check-in. At the same time, managers gain the ability to schedule messages and use customizable templates through the platform’s inbox.
The features already available also include two new flexible cancellation policies, with the option of a full refund up to five days or up to one day before check-in, depending on the partner’s choice.
Finally, Host with Confidence is in a pilot phase, a new host protection program designed to address financial risks related, among other things, to guest damage, chargebacks and loss of income due to cancellations associated with damage.
Escapia: Upgrading tools for professional property managers
Alongside Vrbo, Expedia Group is also making significant changes to Escapia, the company’s enterprise property management platform.
A key change is the new Reservation Grid, which redesigns one of Escapia’s most widely used tools. The new design provides a more visual and modern view of availability, bookings and quotes, while also offering the ability to create multiple offers, allowing managers to compare different property options and send them to the customer in one email.
The company is also gradually improving the management of bookings from third-party OTA platforms, with changes to folio management and commissions, while additional automation features are expected to follow.
Payments also take center stage
Currently in a pilot phase is Vrbo Payments, which combines payment processing with features designed to reduce cancellations and strengthen protection against fraud and chargebacks.
At the same time, the solution provides access to members of the One Key program who make bookings using travel rewards, potentially expanding the demand that Vrbo partners can reach.
A broader strategy for the vacation rentals market
Expedia Group’s announcement shows that the company is not limiting itself to adding individual features to Vrbo, but is instead seeking to create a more complete ecosystem for industry professionals.
The combined development of advertising, dynamic pricing and promotions, travel packages, automated communication, host protection and payments shows an effort to make Vrbo more competitive with the major short-term rental platforms, while Escapia serves as the operational foundation for professional property managers.
According to Joel Schoen, General Manager of Escapia, the new features are only the beginning of a broader plan for a platform that is “more intuitive, flexible, connected and intelligent,” allowing professional property managers to operate more efficiently and grow their businesses.
Expedia Group notes that several of the new features are already available, while new capabilities will continue to be added through 2027.
