Editor's note: VRBO is now part of the One Key travel rewards program, which you can read more about here. This article is being updated to reflect that change.

Whether you’re going on vacation, looking for medium-term apartment rental while you work and travel, or just simply prefer to stay in unique accommodations rather than hotels, you have options besides Airbnb. One of those choices is Vrbo, an online marketplace that connects homeowners who are renting out their place with people looking for vacation rentals.

If you're considering renting a vacation rental on Vrbo, here's what should know before you book.

What is Vrbo?

Vrbo is short for Vacation Rentals by Owner, and it's a website that does exactly what it sounds like. Vrbo is an online vacation rental site where property owners can list their homes for rent, travelers can book them and Vrbo handles the transaction.

Vrbo properties range from massive cabins in the mountains ideal for a group ski trip to more conventional homes in the suburbs to unique dwellings, like Costa Rica's "Cockpit Cabana," where you actually sleep inside of an airplane.

The "Cockpit Cabana" Vrbo listing is a remodeled airplane located in Costa Rica that overlooks the ocean and has two queen beds inside. (Photo courtesy of Vrbo)

Vrbo launched in 1995 as an online vacation rental marketplace and was acquired by HomeAway in 2006. After travel giant Expedia Group acquired HomeAway in 2015, Vrbo fell under the Expedia umbrella. Then in 2020, the two brands — HomeAway and Vrbo — merged into a single Vrbo website.

Staying overnight in a vacation rental like a Vrbo can sometimes be cheaper than hotels (especially when traveling in groups), as you can often find multiroom properties that fit multiple people. In addition, the rentals commonly include amenities like washing machines and kitchens, allowing you to pack less and cook more. Sometimes Vrbo provides the best and only lodging available, especially if you're traveling to remote areas not served by hotels.

But renting on Vrbo isn't always as easy as booking a hotel. Unless the property is listed as "Instant Book," you'll have to submit a request to the owner to book it, adding one more bump in your trip planning. In addition, some properties have minimum stay requirements, and maximum stays sometimes pop up.

Throw in the fact that you're staying in a nonstandard property, and you should expect inconsistencies that you likely won't find when staying at hotels, whether it's the types of available amenities, the check-in process, or the condition of your rental.

If you're ready to rent on Vrbo, here's what you need to know to improve the odds of it being a smart money move.

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How does Vrbo work?

A key differentiator between Vrbo and other vacation rental platforms is that Vrbo only allows you to rent entire, private homes. Contrast that with competitors like Airbnb that allow shared spaces, and Vrbo rentals mean you'll never stay on a property while the owner (or other guests, for that matter) are also living there.

The available listings vary in quality and amenities, cancellation policies, and the number of guests allowed.

Vrbo's platform has about 2 million hosts worldwide (almost half of the 4 million hosts that Airbnb claims).

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How to rent on Vrbo

Set up an account on Vrbo

To get started on Vrbo, you'll need to create an online account, which entails simply entering a name and email address. From there, you're offered several optional pieces of information to hand over, including a short bio about yourself and your photo.

There's also the option to verify your identity. If you choose to, Vrbo asks you to provide your physical address and birth date. Vrbo then attempts to verify that info and — if successful — will flag your account as a verified guest.

Filling out those optional boxes is typically a wise move, as most rentals require you to request a reservation (and the host can choose to accept or reject your request). A verified account increases the odds that your booking request will be accepted.

By the way, hosts won't see all the identity information you provided. Instead, they'll only know that you're a verified guest — as well as receive some basic contact information, like your email and phone, so that they can get in touch with you about your trip.

Finding your rental

To find a Vrbo rental, use Vrbo's array of filters to narrow a search on the website after inputting your preferred dates, destination and the number of guests. Filters include the more standard options you'd expect, like the number of bedrooms, availability and price.

Use Vrbo's filters to find your perfect rental.

Vrbo also has robust filters that drill down on the minutiae of your dream vacation rental. You can filter by property type and it's not just limited to a house or apartment. Zany home types are included, such as castles, lodges and yachts. You can also sort by nearby activities (with options including skiing, fishing, theme parks and breweries) and whittle it down by property features such as pools, cribs or outdoor grills.

When you select a listing, you'll be able to see an assortment of photos, a detailed description of the property and reviews from past guests.