The short version
- Since October 29, 2026, Vrbo charges hosts a single 12% commission.
- Hosts connected to a property manager software went from 5% to 12%: about $120 instead of $50 on a $1,000 booking.
- Check your payouts and rates, and compare what each channel really costs you.
What changed on October 29
Vrbo moved hosts to a single 12% commission starting October 29, 2026, along with updated Host Terms of Service. Vrbo’s email to hosts called it “a single, transparent 12% commission fee.”
What it replaces
- Pay-per-booking, no PMS: about 8% before (5% commission plus 3% payment processing), now 12%.
- Pay-per-booking, connected to a property management system: 5% before, now 12%. On a $1,000 booking, that’s roughly $120 instead of $50.
- Annual subscription hosts: Vrbo hasn’t said publicly what applies to legacy subscriptions.
What’s still unclear
The Host Terms list the commission and payment processing as separate charges, so it’s not yet clear whether processing comes on top of the 12%. Vrbo hasn’t announced a change to the guest service fee. Continuing to accept bookings after October 29 counts as accepting the new terms.
What hosts should do now
- Check your next Vrbo payout statement to see exactly what you’re being charged.
- Revisit your Vrbo nightly rates so your take-home stays where you want it.
- Compare what each channel really costs you per booking: Airbnb, Vrbo and direct.
What this means for you
Every booking that comes through your own website skips the platform commission entirely. You still pay card processing, but not 12%. If you get repeat guests, a direct booking website is the simplest way to keep more of each stay.
Sources: Rental Scale-Up; Vrbo Host Terms of Service notice; PriceLabs.