Vrbo, a part of Expedia Group, is a well-known place to find vacation rentals. It started in 1995 and connects people who have homes to rent with people who want to book them for their vacations. They offer a wide variety of places to stay, like cabins, beach houses, and condos, in many countries.
Vrbo has over 2 million properties available in 190 countries. It’s a good option for travelers who want something different than a traditional hotel. You can search for rentals based on where you want to go and what features you want.
Vrbo takes care of the online booking system, payment processing, and helping travelers. Meanwhile, homeowners are responsible for setting prices and deciding when their place is available. Vrbo also gives owners tools and information to help them market their rentals and make sure they charge the right price.
Overview of the Vrbo Affiliate Program
The Vrbo Affiliate Program allows partners to earn commissions by promoting Vrbo rental listings and driving bookings on their site.
The program is ideal for travel blogs, vacation sites, influencers, and any platform in the travel space looking to earn commission. The program is inclusive, welcoming both small and large publishers.
What’s unique about this travel affiliate program is that, as part of the Expedia Group, it shares a common platform. If you’re already a part of the Expedia Group affiliate program, you can seamlessly promote Vrbo services as well.
Alternatively, you can also join the Vrbo affiliate program through affiliate networks like Flexoffers and Travelpayouts, making it accessible to a wide range of partners in the travel industry.
Commissions and Payment Details
The Vrbo Affiliate Program has different commission rates based on where you sign up. If you’re in the Expedia Group program, you can earn up to 6% in commissions. Flexoffers offers 1.6%, and Travelpayouts gives 1.8% for successful bookings.
Payments are flexible, with options including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express processing, making it convenient for affiliates.
They also offer a 7-day window, meaning if someone clicks your link and books within a week, you still earn a commission.
No matter how you join, you’ll get access to tools like banners, links, and search widgets to help you promote Vrbo easily to your audience.
Pros & Cons of Becoming a Vrbo Affiliate
Here are some advantages and disadvantages when you join the Vrbo affiliate program.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large inventory of 2M+ vacation rentals | Long booking confirmation time |
| Decent commission rates up to 6% | Limited promotion methods allowed |
| Established global brand | Increasing competition in market |
| Variety of marketing tools and assets |
The Vrbo affiliate program is a great way for publishers to promote over 2 million holiday rental listings in 190 countries. You can earn decent commissions, up to 6%, for completed stays. In addition, affiliates receive marketing tools like banners, links, and widgets to help promote Vrbo services.
However, there are some limitations to weigh as well. Vrbo doesn’t allow discounts, coupons, or aggressive retargeting in your promotions. They also pay commissions after the stay is fully completed, which can delay your earnings. Besides, with strong competition from sites like Airbnb and Booking.com, it can be a bit challenging to stand out as a Vrbo affiliate.
How to Join The Vrbo Affiliate Program in 5 Steps
Here’s a guide to joining the Vrbo affiliate program through the Expedia Group program. However, you can sign up through affiliate networks such as Flexoffers & Travelpayouts.
Step 1: Visit the Vrbo affiliate page
Go to the Vrbo affiliate program homepage at www.vrbo.com/info/affiliates, then you’ll be directed to the Expedia Group affiliate program page. Click “Join Now” to begin the registration process.
Step 2: Create your account
Complete the signup form to create your Expedia Group affiliate account. Make sure to use an active email you check frequently.
Step 3: Get approved
Vrbo will review your application. You’ll receive an email in a few days on the status of your application.
Step 4: Access your links & IDs
Once approved, login to your Vrbo affiliate dashboard to access your unique affiliate links, IDs, banners, and other promotional materials.
Step 5: Promote Vrbo listings
Start promoting Vrbo rental listings on your website, social media, email, etc. using the links and banners provided in your affiliate dashboard.
How to Make Money with The Vrbo Affiliate Program?
To effectively promote the Vrbo affiliate program and boost your earnings, consider these strategies:
- Feature seasonal and destination rentals: Highlight popular vacation rentals, especially during peak seasons, to inspire potential travelers to make bookings.
- Create destination guides: Develop comprehensive guides for well-known vacation destinations, showcasing attractive property options available through Vrbo.
- Produce travel tips content: Craft informative content related to travel tips, especially for events like family reunions or group trips. Integrate relevant Vrbo affiliate links into this content to direct readers to rental listings.
- Leverage Vrbo APIs: Use Vrbo’s custom APIs to display real-time rental listings and availability on your website, providing potential guests with up-to-date information.
- Run promotions and contests: Offer special promotions and contests during peak travel seasons to encourage bookings. This can create a sense of urgency and motivate potential travelers to make reservations.
Is the Vrbo Affiliate Program Worth Promoting?
For affiliates in the travel niche, Vrbo’s affiliate program can be a lucrative opportunity. It provides a chance to earn significant income by promoting a wide range of vacation rental listings.
If you’re already creating travel content, adding Vrbo to your affiliate strategy can boost your earnings with a trusted brand.
If you have a niche travel website, this program is a strong choice. The commissions typically outweigh any drawbacks, making it a valuable addition to your affiliate efforts.
If you’re new to affiliate marketing, Vrbo is an easy way to start earning from travel content without any complex setup.
If you already have a substantial travel-oriented audience, you can direct your existing audience toward booking Vrbo rentals, potentially increasing your earnings.
If you cater to non-travel audiences, there might be more suitable affiliate programs in different areas. Vrbo is most lucrative for those in the travel space.
FAQs
Who should join the Vrbo affiliate program?
The Vrbo affiliate program is ideal for travel blogs, vacation rental sites, influencers, and any website or platform in the travel space looking to earn commissions on rental bookings.
Is there a fee to join the Vrbo affiliate program?
No, there is no fee to join the Vrbo affiliate program. Registration and participation in the program is free.
Are there any minimum requirements to become a Vrbo affiliate?
There are no minimum traffic or sales requirements to join. Both small and large publishers can participate in the program.
Can the Vrbo program be combined with other affiliate programs?
Yes, affiliates can promote other affiliate programs in addition to the Vrbo program. There are no exclusivity limitations.
What are the best Vrbo affiliate program alternatives?
Some top alternatives for rental commissions include Airbnb, Booking.com, Tripadvisor Rentals, HomeAway, and FlipKey.
