Vrbo Host Fees in 2026: The 12% Commission and What You Keep

Vrbo is moving every host and property manager to a flat 12% commission on October 29, 2026. Until then, hosts connected through property management software pay about 5%, and other hosts pay about 8%, which is a 5% commission plus a 3% payment processing fee. The commission applies to the rental amount and the fees you add, such as cleaning, and travelers pay a separate Vrbo service fee on top. Vrbo's help center calls the 12% "all-in," but it still describes the 3% processing fee, so the exact cost depends on a detail Vrbo has not fully clarified.

If you are comparing channels, our Airbnb vs Vrbo guide shows what you keep on each, and the guide to becoming an Airbnb host covers the basics. This guide covers what Vrbo charges hosts, what travelers pay, how payouts work, and how to adjust your prices.

Vrbo host fees at a glance

Travelers pay a separate Vrbo service fee in every case.

How the 12% commission works

Under Vrbo's help center, the 12% commission is charged on the rental amount and on any additional fees you charge the traveler, such as cleaning, pet, and boat fees. It is not charged on taxes. Bookings that come through Vrbo's expanded distribution partners may carry higher fees, and where VAT applies, it is charged in addition to the commission. Hosts using property management software are charged on the rental amount and mandatory fees, excluding taxes and refundable damage deposits.

The open question is the 3% payment processing fee. Vrbo's help center calls the 12% "all-in," and hosts report that Vrbo's repricing tool says processing is included. The same help page still describes a 3% processing fee, charged on the total payment you receive, including taxes and refundable damage deposits. Until Vrbo clarifies, check the fee disclosure in your host account.

On a $1,000 booking, which is the rental amount plus the cleaning fee before taxes, the options look like this:

• Before the change, pay-per-booking: about $80 in fees, which is 5% commission plus 3% processing.
• 12% all-in: $120 in fees.
• 12% plus a separate 3% processing fee: about $150 in fees.

What travelers pay: the Vrbo service fee

The Vrbo service fee is the traveler's fee, and it is separate from your commission. Travelers see it at checkout, and it covers Vrbo's support, payment security, and platform costs. It is reported at about 11% to 14% of the booking today, and Skift reports it is set to fall, but Vrbo has not published new rates. You cannot waive or reduce it, and Vrbo considers your cancellation policy when it decides whether to refund it after a cancellation.

The two fees matter for different reasons. Your commission sets what you keep, and the traveler's fee sets how your total price looks next to other listings. A Vrbo guest sees your rate plus the service fee, while an Airbnb guest sees one price, so keep both in mind when you compare. Our Airbnb service fee guide covers the other side of that comparison.

What the change means for your prices

To keep the same payout when a fee rises, divide your current price by one minus the new fee. The size of the increase depends on how Vrbo treats processing:

• If the 12% is all-in: a host moving from about 8% needs roughly a 4.5% higher rate, and a host moving from 5% needs roughly 8%.
• If 3% processing stacks on top (15% in total): a host moving from 8% needs roughly 8.2%, and a host moving from 5% needs roughly 11.8%.

Apply the increase to every price component, including the nightly rate and the cleaning and pet fees, because the commission applies to those as well. Change prices in steps, and check them against your market first. PriceLabs Market Dashboards compare your occupancy, ADR, and booking pace with similar listings, and dynamic pricing for Vrbo hosts shows how automation handles rate changes.

Vrbo's updated Host Terms, which also take effect on October 29, reportedly add a rate parity clause that requires rates on Vrbo to be at least as low as on your other channels, including your own website. Read the terms before you set different prices by channel.

The end of the annual subscription

Vrbo no longer accepts new subscribers, and hosts on the legacy annual subscription move to the 12% pay-per-booking model when their subscription term ends. The old advice to compare your annual fees against the subscription price no longer applies. If you are on a subscription, work out your effective fee rate under the 12% commission now, so you can adjust your prices before your term ends.

When and how Vrbo pays you

Vrbo collects the traveler's payment and deducts its fees before it pays you, so your payout is always lower than what the guest paid. Payouts are typically disbursed one business day after your guest checks in, and depending on your bank, the money should be available five to seven business days later. If you are a new host and your first booking is less than 30 days away, the payout is typically disbursed 30 days after the guest's payment.

To check a payout, open Reservation Manager, then Financial Reporting, then Bank Deposits. Select a deposit to see its disbursement date and details, and use the payout summary report to see your funds after commission and fees.

Setting up payments and taxes

Set up your payout method early, because missing details can delay your first payout. Payout options vary by country, and Vrbo uses a third-party processor to verify your bank information. Vrbo also collects tax information before it releases payouts. U.S. hosts typically complete a W-9, and non-U.S. hosts may be asked for a W-8 series form. Failing to submit the right form can delay payouts or lead to tax withholding, so confirm the requirements for your situation with an accountant.

Ways to protect your earnings

• Price for the fee. Build the commission into every price component, and recheck your rates when Vrbo clarifies the processing fee.
• Compare your channels. Look at what you keep on Vrbo and Airbnb, and list on the channels that suit your property.
• Grow direct bookings. Getting more direct bookings lowers your dependence on any single platform's commission.
• Reduce refunds and cancellations. A clear listing and the right refund and cancellation setup protect revenue you would otherwise lose.
• Watch your payout reports. A regular check of your deposits catches errors and delays early.

Frequently asked questions

What are Vrbo host fees in 2026?

Until October 29, 2026, hosts connected through software pay about 5%, other pay-per-booking hosts pay about 8% (a 5% commission plus a 3% processing fee), and subscription hosts pay an annual fee. From October 29, all hosts pay a flat 12% commission.

When does Vrbo's 12% commission start?

October 29, 2026. Vrbo announced it on September 29, 2026. Hosts on the annual subscription move to it when their subscription term ends.

Does the 12% include payment processing?

Vrbo's help center calls the commission "all-in," but it still describes a separate 3% processing fee, and sources disagree. Check the fee disclosure in your host account.

What is the Vrbo service fee?

It is the fee Vrbo charges travelers at checkout, separate from your commission. It is reported at about 11% to 14% and covers support, payment security, and platform costs. Hosts cannot waive it.

Does the Vrbo commission apply to cleaning fees?

Yes. The commission applies to the rental amount and to additional fees you charge, such as cleaning, pet, and boat fees. It does not apply to taxes.

Is the Vrbo annual subscription still available?

No for new hosts. Vrbo no longer accepts new subscribers, and existing subscribers move to the 12% commission when their term ends.

When does Vrbo pay hosts?

Payouts are typically disbursed one business day after the guest checks in, and the money is usually available five to seven business days later, depending on your bank. New hosts whose first booking is less than 30 days away typically wait 30 days after the guest's payment.