Making a payment on VRBO

You can pay your VRBO bill through your account on the VRBO website or mobile app. Log in, go to your reservations or bookings, find the reservation you need to pay for, and look for a "Pay Now" or payment option. VRBO accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. The payment processes when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation email with your transaction details.

If you're paying for a reservation someone else made for you, you'll need the booking confirmation number or a direct payment link. Some hosts send payment links by email, which you can click to pay without logging into an account. If you don't have a link, contact the host or property manager directly — they can send you one or tell you how they prefer to receive payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your VRBO account, find your reservation, and select the payment option to pay by credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
  • If you received a direct payment link from a host, you can pay through that link without creating a VRBO account.
  • Payment confirmation arrives by email when ready after you complete the transaction.
  • Contact the host or property manager if you're unsure whether a balance is due or if you need a payment link sent to you.

Paying through your VRBO account

Start by going to vrbo.com or opening the VRBO mobile app. Enter your email and password to log in. If you don't have an account, you can create one with your email address, or you can use a Google or Facebook account to sign in faster.

Once you're logged in, look for "My Reservations" or "Bookings" — the exact label depends on which version of the site you're using. Click on the reservation you need to pay for. You should see the total amount due and a "Pay Now" button or similar payment option. Click it to proceed to the payment screen.

Enter your payment method. VRBO accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. If you're paying with a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). If you're using PayPal, you'll be redirected to PayPal to log in and confirm the payment. After you submit, the payment processes within seconds.

Paying with a direct payment link

Some hosts and property managers send payment links directly by email. These links let you pay without logging into VRBO or creating an account. Click the link in the email, and it will take you to a payment page with the amount already filled in.

Enter your payment information on that page — again, you can use a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. The payment processes when ready, and you'll see a confirmation on screen and receive a confirmation email. Keep that email for your records.

If the link has expired or you can't find it, contact the host or property manager and ask them to send a new one. They can also tell you if the payment is still due or if it's already been received.

What happens after you pay

VRBO sends a payment confirmation email to the address associated with your account or the email you used to click the payment link. The confirmation includes the amount paid, the date, the reservation details, and a transaction ID. Save this email — you may need it if there's a question about the payment later.

The payment shows up in your VRBO account under the reservation. If you're paying a host directly through a payment link, the confirmation email is your proof of payment. If the host doesn't receive the payment within a few hours, contact them with your confirmation number.

Paying a partial balance or multiple payments

Some reservations require a deposit upfront and the remaining balance closer to your check-in date. VRBO will show you the amount due at each stage. Pay the deposit first through your account or the payment link provided. When the remaining balance is due, you'll receive a reminder email with instructions to pay the rest.

If you need to split a payment or arrange a payment plan, contact the host or property manager directly. VRBO's standard system processes full amounts, but individual hosts may have different arrangements. Discuss this before you book if possible, or reach out as soon as you know you'll need a different payment schedule.

Troubleshooting payment problems

If your payment is declined, check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are entered correctly. Make sure your card hasn't expired and that you have enough available credit or funds. Some banks flag travel-related charges as suspicious — if that happens, contact your bank to let them know the charge is legitimate, then try the payment again.

If you're having trouble logging into your VRBO account, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. If you still can't access your account, contact VRBO's support team through the website. If you're paying through a direct link and it's not working, the link may have expired — ask the host to send a new one.

If you've paid but your reservation still shows a balance due, wait a few hours for the payment to process and the account to update. If it doesn't update by the next day, contact the host with your payment confirmation number. They can check their records and confirm the payment was received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay in a currency other than US dollars?

VRBO displays prices in the currency of the property's location. When you pay, your card issuer converts the amount to your home currency at their exchange rate. You can't choose the currency — the conversion happens automatically based on your card's country of issue.

Is it safe to pay VRBO through my phone?

Yes. VRBO uses encryption to protect your payment information, and the mobile app is as find as the website. Don't pay on public Wi-Fi if you can avoid it — use your home network or mobile data instead. Never share your payment confirmation or transaction ID with anyone except the host.

What if I need to cancel and get a refund?

Refunds depend on the cancellation policy for your specific reservation, which you can find in your booking details. Contact the host or VRBO support to request a cancellation. The refund timeline varies — some go back to your card within a few days, others take one to two weeks depending on your bank.

Can I pay the host directly instead of through VRBO?

VRBO's terms require payment through the platform for reservations made on the site. Paying outside VRBO puts you at risk if there's a dispute. If a host asks you to pay them directly, report it to VRBO — it violates their policy and may indicate a scam.