As someone whose main income source is from short term rentals, Vrbo provides a much better experience for both hosts and guests. Being able to easily call and talk to a helpful human at Vrbo and have them actually solve a problem is really refreshing.
I spent three months talking to the "helpful" humans at VRBO's tech support, trying to get a refund from a stay that didn't happen due to weather. The host was great and issued the refund immediately, but VRBO wouldn't pass along the funds back to me. They kept alternating between pointing their fingers at the host and pointing their fingers at Expedia (who was involved in the transaction for reasons I still don't understand). When out of options, I took to trashing them all over social media and review sites, and then all of a sudden I got contacted by a part of their customer support org who seem to be able to do things. Finally, out of nowhere the refund quietly showed up on my credit card statement.
Awful experience, and I've sworn them off ever since. Very stereotypical "friendly but can't do anything" human customer support.
Vrbo did not provide me with a better experience. I rented a place last Christmas which looked nice going by the pictures in the listing. But when we got there it turned out to be a complete dump. It was so bad we didn’t stay and went straight to a hotel. Of course I contacted both the host and VRBO. The host never responded and the Vrbo representatives just shrugged their shoulders and said it was up to me to work it out with the host. Needless to say that will be the last time I use vrbo, Airbnb or any service like it.
vrbo is also waay more expensive. just looking at barcelona, I can get a place for around $1600+ month minimum. airbnb has places around 1200 and even less if you're willing to stay in a private room.
