VRBO refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days after the host approves the cancellation, but the full timeline depends on your payment method and whether a dispute is involved
When you cancel a VRBO booking, the clock doesn't start when you request the refund—it starts when the host accepts or denies your cancellation request. If the host approves it, VRBO processes the refund to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid by credit card, your bank may take another 1 to 3 business days to post the credit to your account. If you paid by debit card or bank transfer, add 5 to 7 additional business days. The total time from approval to money in your account is usually 10 to 17 business days.
The cancellation policy attached to your specific booking determines whether the host must approve your request at all. If you booked under a strict cancellation policy and cancel outside the allowed window, the host can deny your request and keep the money. If you booked under a moderate or flexible policy, the host must approve cancellations that fall within those terms. VRBO does not override host decisions on cancellations that fall outside the stated policy.
Key Takeaways
- VRBO refunds take 5 to 10 business days after the host approves the cancellation, plus 1 to 7 additional days depending on your payment method.
- The host's cancellation policy determines whether they must approve your request; VRBO does not force refunds for cancellations outside the policy terms.
- Credit card refunds appear fastest (1 to 3 days after VRBO processes), while debit card and bank transfer refunds take 5 to 7 days longer.
- If the host denies your cancellation request, you can file a dispute with VRBO or your payment provider, which adds 10 to 30 days to the timeline.
- Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a refund approved on Friday may not reach your account until the following Wednesday or Thursday.
What happens when the host approves your cancellation
Once the host clicks approve on your cancellation request, VRBO initiates a refund to the payment method you used to book. This is not instantaneous. VRBO's system queues the refund and processes it within 5 to 10 business days. During this window, the money leaves VRBO's account but has not yet reached yours—it is in transit through the payment network.
The payment network's speed depends on what you used to pay. A credit card refund typically posts within 1 to 3 business days after VRBO sends it, because credit card networks process reversals quickly. A debit card refund takes 5 to 7 business days because debit transactions move through a different clearing system. A bank transfer or ACH payment takes the longest: 5 to 7 business days after VRBO initiates it, sometimes longer if your bank is slow to post incoming transfers.
Business days exclude weekends and federal holidays. If VRBO approves your refund on a Friday, the 5 to 10 day window begins Monday. If a holiday falls during that window, it does not count. This is why a refund approved on Thursday might not appear until the following Thursday or Friday.
When the host denies your cancellation request
If you cancel outside the terms of your cancellation policy and the host denies your request, VRBO will not refund you automatically. The host keeps the money unless you take further action. At this point, you have two options: file a dispute with VRBO or file a chargeback with your payment provider.
A VRBO dispute goes through VRBO's Resolution Center. You describe why you believe you deserve a refund, and VRBO reviews the case against the cancellation policy and any communication with the host. This process takes 10 to 30 days. VRBO may side with the host if the policy is clear, or it may find in your favor if the host's behavior was misleading or if you have evidence of a material change in circumstances (illness, emergency, etc.). VRBO's decision is final; you cannot appeal it within the platform.
A chargeback goes through your credit card company or bank. You contact them and dispute the charge, claiming the service was not provided or that you cancelled within the policy terms. The card issuer investigates and either reverses the charge or upholds it. This process takes 10 to 45 days depending on the card company. If you win a chargeback, VRBO may flag your account and restrict future bookings.
How payment method affects refund speed
| Payment Method | Time After VRBO Processes | Total Time From Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 1 to 3 business days | 6 to 13 business days |
| Debit card | 5 to 7 business days | 10 to 17 business days |
| Bank transfer / ACH | 5 to 7 business days | 10 to 17 business days |
| VRBO credit balance | when ready to 24 hours | 5 to 11 business days |
If you paid with a VRBO credit balance (money from a previous refund or a gift card), the refund goes back into your VRBO account when ready or within 24 hours. You can then use it to book another property or request a withdrawal to your bank account, which takes an additional 5 to 7 business days.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond the stated timeline
If 17 business days have passed since the host approved your cancellation and the money has not appeared in your account, contact VRBO support. Have your booking confirmation number and the date the host approved the cancellation ready. VRBO can check whether the refund was actually processed or whether it stalled in the payment network.
If VRBO processed the refund but your bank has not posted it, contact your bank's customer service. Provide them with the refund date VRBO gave you and ask them to trace the transaction. Banks can sometimes speed up a delayed refund or locate it if it was routed to the wrong account.
If VRBO never processed the refund despite the host's approval, VRBO will reissue it. Request that it be sent to the same payment method. If that method is no longer active (a closed credit card, for example), ask VRBO to send it to your current card or bank account instead.
Refunds for VRBO cancellations due to host issues
If the host cancels on you—not the other way around—VRBO refunds you automatically within 5 to 10 business days, regardless of the cancellation policy. The same payment method timelines explore. You do not need to request approval or file a dispute.
If VRBO cancels your booking because the property was removed from the platform or the host's account was suspended, you also receive an automatic refund on the same timeline. VRBO may offer you a travel credit (a discount on a future booking) in addition to the refund, but you can decline it and take the cash refund instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my refund faster if I ask VRBO nicely?
No. VRBO processes refunds on a fixed timeline—5 to 10 business days after the host approves. Contacting support does not speed this up unless the refund is actually stuck. If it is stuck, support can investigate and reissue it, but they cannot bypass the processing window for a normal refund.
What if the host approved my cancellation but then changed their mind?
Once the host approves a cancellation in VRBO's system, they cannot undo it. The refund is queued and will process. If the host contacts you asking you to cancel the refund request, do not comply—the money is already committed to you. If the host tries to dispute it later, VRBO will side with you because the approval is documented in the system.
Do I get interest on a delayed refund?
No. VRBO does not pay interest on refunds, even if the delay is VRBO's fault. If the refund is significantly delayed (more than 30 days) due to VRBO's error, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or your payment card company, but interest is not typically awarded.
Will my refund show up as a credit or a separate transaction?
A credit card refund appears as a credit (a negative charge) on your statement. A debit card refund appears as a deposit back into your account. A bank transfer refund appears as an incoming ACH transfer. You should see it labeled with VRBO or the host's name, though some banks show only a reference number.
What if I paid VRBO with a gift card I bought elsewhere?
The refund goes back to the payment method you used to buy the gift card, not to the gift card itself. If you used a credit card to buy the gift card, the refund goes back to that credit card. If you used cash or a debit card, contact VRBO support—they may not be able to refund you without additional information.