Example of the nonsense of booking fees algorithms.

~ HOW TO BOOK DIRECTLY WITH OWNERS ~

Thanks for renting our cottage! We are sure you will have a great time!

HOW TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT VACATION RENTAL!!!

In March of 2017 VRBO & HomeAway started charging a booking fee just like Airbnb does. I wanted to educate you to save you money on your future travels; that is if you want to save money. The implementation of booking fees by VRBO & HomeAway (which can be 10-15% and a crazy nonsense algorithm) angered many homeowners and travelers. Your credit card offers protections- read their terms. Buy travel insurance, much less than booking fees.

1) Search on Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway, etc.

We already pay an advertising fee of over $1000 to them plus other fees.

2) Find your perfect spot.

3) Before contacting the owner through Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway site system, do a Google and/or Facebook search of the property name (for example, ours is Vermont Cottage Lake Amherst) and area (i.e. Plymouth, Vermont) to see if they have a direct website or Facebook page that can save you the fees. Many owners do have a website or Facebook page. It is also a good sign the listing isn't a scam when the owners have taken the time to create an extensive website and/or a Facebook page for their vacation rental.

4) Contact the owner directly. You can ask owner to verify that they are the owner. I'm happy to send you a copy of my tax bill or electric/oil bill.

5) Verify owner identity on Facebook, Linked-In etc. by asking owner for those connections.

If you do make any sort of initial contact or booking request on the VRBO, Airbnb, etc. site, the owners are contractually bound to keep you on the site and book you there, and Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway will be collecting their booking fees……which is A LOT ….AND they keep for advertising. You credit card offers travel protections. You can also purchase travel insurance for much less than the booking fee.

Great sites that do not charge booking fees in our area.

Houfy.com

Lakehousevacations.com

Vermontproperties.com