What is Vrbo Instant Book? How does it Work for Hosts?

Travelers expect to book vacation rentals instantly, without long waits or back-and-forth messages. For hosts, that means adapting fast.

Vrbo's Instant Booking makes it possible — but with that convenience comes less control. In this blog, we’ll break down how the feature works, what it means for your rental business and if it’s the right move for you.

What is Vrbo Instant Booking?

Vrbo Instant Booking is similar to Airbnb's "Instant Book." When hosts enable Instant Booking on their Vrbo account, travelers' booking requests are instantly confirmed once they meet specific house rules and policies.

As soon as a guest hits "Book," their guest's credit card is charged for the initial amount, the host's reservation manager is automatically updated with the booking details and the booking is locked in.

Before completing an immediate booking, travelers must agree to:

• House Rules

• Host Cancellation Policy

• Damage Policy

• Rental Agreement

This means even though guests book without a conversation, they still acknowledge important property terms.

Can Hosts Cancel an Instant Booking?

A Vrbo host can issue a cancellation request for an instant booking if the guest doesn't meet the house rules requirements or violates Vrbo's policies. For example, if your property has a strict no-smoking rule and a guest insists on smoking, you have grounds to cancel.

That said, it's often better to ask the guest to cancel themselves. Host approval isn't required for instant bookings, but cancellations can impact your listing metrics, which in turn could affect your search rankings on Expedia Group sites.

Benefits of Instant Booking for Hosts

Choosing to select Instant Booking for your listing comes with many advantages:

1. Maximize bookings

Guests prefer fast booking experiences. Properties with Instant Booking are more appealing to more travelers, helping you increase booking frequency.

2. Save time

With instant booking enabled, you eliminate the need to field endless booking inquiries. That saves you valuable time that you can invest in managing your vacation rental business.

3. Never miss a booking

You won't risk a reservation request expiring because everything is immediately confirmed. More guests means more revenue.

4. Easier management

Simplify your reservation manager with fewer steps between inquiry and booking.

5. Attract last-minute bookers

Last-minute travelers don't want to wait 24 hours for host approval. Instant booking listings are exactly what they're looking for.

6. Increase exposure

Vrbo Instant Booking doesn't just boost bookings on Vrbo itself. Listings with the feature are also showcased across Expedia Group sites, leading to broader visibility.

7. Better search rankings

Enable Instant Booking and get rewarded. Vrbo boosts instant booking properties higher in search results, especially when travelers use filters like "Instant Booking Only."

Potential Drawbacks of Instant Booking for Hosts

Of course, instant booking on Vrbo isn’t without its challenges:

1. Double bookings

If you're listing on multiple OTAs like Airbnb or Booking.com, instant booking enabled increases the risk of double bookings unless you sync calendars properly.

2. No guest vetting

You'll have less opportunity to screen travelers before they book, which can be stressful if you’re particular about who stays at your property.

3. More cancellations

Some guests make immediate bookings to "hold" a property while they continue shopping around, which can lead to more cancellations.

4. Not ideal for longer stays

Long-term guests typically require a more thorough vetting process. The instant booking feature limits your ability to carefully screen.

5. Loss of control

Some hosts feel uneasy about not having full control over their booking preferences, as the platform makes key decisions automatically without requiring their direct input.

Can Hosts Opt Out of Instant Booking?

Yes, you can disable instant booking anytime and revert to the 24-hour review process.

How to disable Instant Booking:

1. Log into your Vrbo account

2. Go to Property

3. Navigate to Rules and Policies > Booking type

4. Select 24-hour review

5. Click Save

How to Manage Instant Booking Settings

Even with instant booking enabled, you can adjust booking settings to retain more control:

Last minute booking notice

Hosts can decide how much time they need between a booking confirmation and check-in to ensure they have adequate time to clean and prepare their vacation rental property for last minute guests.

This way, guests can turn up at the last minute without hosts being ready for them.

Booking lead time

This setting allows hosts to choose how far in advance guests can book their property.

Hosts can choose how much time they need between any two bookings to prepare for the new guest. Vrbo allows hosts to block up to 2 nights before and after each booking.

How to Prevent Double Bookings with Instant Booking on Vrbo?

You don't have to give up on listing on other booking platforms just because you have Instant Booking enabled in order to prevent double bookings.

The best way to prevent double bookings is to use a proven channel manager like Hostaway that syncs and updates your calendar across all your booking platforms and direct booking website.

How to Enable Instant Booking on Vrbo

If you're ready to give it a go, here’s how to enable Instant Booking:

1. Log into your Vrbo account

2. Click on Property

3. Navigate to Rules & Policies > Online Booking > Instant Booking

4. Click Save

Is It Right For You?

Using Vrbo's Instant Booking makes your property more visible and lets guests secure their stay instantly — great for those booking last minute.

It might not be for everyone, but if you're okay with letting Vrbo handle booking confirmations automatically and take the time to set the right preferences, you can get more bookings with less effort. With instant booking enabled, you save time, get fewer booking gaps and still keep a degree of control.

For hosts who want a smoother process and to attract a wider audience, instant booking properties offer a simple and effective way to grow your rental business.