Vrbo Payment Options: How Pay Later Works for Guests and Hosts
Want to split your Vrbo payment instead of paying everything upfront? This guide breaks down how Vrbo installment payments, pay-later options, and host payout timing work, so both guests and property owners know exactly what to expect before booking.
Key Takeaways
- Vrbo allows installment payments on many listings, depending on the host’s payment settings and booking timeline.
- Guests can often pay a deposit upfront and the remaining balance before check-in.
- Buy Now, Pay Later options like Affirm may be available in select regions.
- Hosts maintain more control over payment schedules on Vrbo compared to Airbnb and Booking.com.
Vacation rental properties can get expensive, especially for longer trips, bigger homes, or busy travel seasons. So it makes sense that many people would want to split their Vrbo payments into installments.
Flexible payment options matter more than ever when booking travel. Research from PYMNTS shows that over half of consumers are more likely to book if they can pay later. Installment plans are now super common in the travel industry.
How does Vrbo handle payment plans? Can guests split their payments, and when is the full amount due? What does this mean for hosts?
This article explains how Vrbo installment payments, pay-later options, and payout timing work for both guests and property owners, and how iGMS (our own property management software) can support hosts in managing these processes efficiently.
An Intro to Vrbo Payments
Vrbo offers several payment options to make booking and managing vacation rentals easier for both guests and hosts. Knowing how Vrbo payments work helps hosts run their rental business smoothly and gives travelers a better booking experience.
With Vrbo, property owners can set up a payment schedule that works for them. They can let guests pay part of the rental amount upfront and the rest closer to check-in. Hosts decide the payment terms, including the amount required to secure a reservation.
According to Vrbo, the service fee is a percentage of the reservation total that travelers pay at checkout, rather than being paid directly by property owners. Through leveraging Vrbo’s payment options, both guests and hosts benefit from a streamlined, transparent, and customizable payment experience.
Can You Pay for Vrbo in Installments?
Yes, in many cases, Vrbo lets guests pay in installments.
However, installment availability depends on:
- The host’s payment schedule settings
- How far in advance are you booking
- Whether the property qualifies for pay-later
- Your region
Hosts can choose how many payments a guest needs to make before check-in, giving both sides more flexibility.
Vrbo does not guarantee installment payments for every listing. Hosts can choose whether to:
- Require full payment upfront.
- Accept a deposit, then a second payment.
- Offer structured payment schedules.
When setting up multiple payments, hosts can pick future payment dates. This helps guests plan their finances.
If the property offers installments, you will see the payment breakdown clearly during checkout.
How Vrbo Pay Later Works
Vrbo typically uses a two-payment installment plan, though there are some variations.
Example: Two-Installment Payment
Let’s say you book a $2,400 vacation home 90 days before arrival.
A common payment schedule might look like:
- $1,200 due at booking
- $1,200 due 30 to 60 days before check-in
The second payment is automatically charged to your saved payment method.
If your booking is close to check-in, Vrbo may require full payment upfront.
There is also the option to split the payment into three payments, such as:
- 30% at booking
- 40% mid-cycle
- 30% before arrival
Many hosts let guests split their payment into two or three scheduled installments, depending on the property's rules.
This option is less common, but it is possible depending on the property’s rules. Does Vrbo charge taxes and fees? Are they included in the installment breakdown in proportion to the amount?
Vrbo charges:
- A guest service fee (percentage of booking subtotal)
- Applicable local taxes
- Any additional property fees
These fees are either split between the installments or included in the first payment.
What Happens If a Payment Fails?
If a scheduled installment fails:
- Vrbo attempts to reprocess the payment.
- The guest receives notification.
- The host may cancel if payment is not completed within the grace period.
If you do not complete your installment payments, your booking may be canceled based on the property’s payment terms.
Buy Now, Pay Later Options (Affirm & Financing)
In some regions, Vrbo also partners with third-party financing providers such as Affirm. Affirm's payment options are provided by lending partners, which are external financial institutions. Eligibility for Affirm payment plans depends on the purchase amount, usually requiring a minimum booking of $250.
Affirm allows eligible guests to:
- Split the total cost into monthly installments over 3 to 24 months
- Book their vacation rental now and pay later in installments
- Choose interest-free or interest-bearing plans
- See the full payment breakdown before confirming, with zero hidden fees
To use Affirm on Vrbo, select the Affirm payment option at checkout after filtering for Affirm-eligible properties. You can manage your payments through the Affirm app and set up automatic payments if you want. Splitting the cost of a Vrbo booking into smaller payments can make travel more affordable.
Vrbo also offers Buy Now, Pay Later options through Affirm and Sezzle, allowing travelers to pay for vacation rentals over time, which can make bookings more accessible.
According to Statifacts, the global Buy Now, Pay Later market surpassed $19 billion in 2024 and is expected to continue growing rapidly.
Important notes:
- Financing approval depends on credit eligibility
- Interest may apply
- Availability varies by country
- Not all Vrbo listings display financing options. If financing is available, you will see it as an option during checkout along with the standard payment methods.
When You Must Pay in Full
There are situations where Vrbo requires full payment upfront:
- Last-minute bookings (typically within 30 days of arrival)
- Non-refundable listings
- Properties where the host has disabled installments
- Certain high-demand or peak-season stays
If you do not see an installment option during checkout, the listing probably requires full payment.
How Installments Affect Hosts
Some Vrbo hosts let guests pay for bookings in multiple installments and can set their preferred payment schedules through the platform, making payment management more flexible. Hosts need to connect their bank account to receive payments from Vrbo, and the setup is simple.
Research from PYMNTS shows that consumers are significantly more likely to complete purchases when flexible payments are offered.
For hosts, installment payments may:
- Reduce booking abandonment
- Increase average booking value
- Attract families and group travelers
However, there are some trade-offs to keep in mind.
Cash Flow Implications
Hosts do not get paid until after the guest checks in. This means:
- Installment schedules do not change payout timing
- Delayed final payments may increase cancellation risk
Hosts should evaluate, and may want to use tools for managing Vrbo bookings, cancellations, and policies to keep everything aligned with their payment settings:
- High-season vs low-season risk
- Average booking lead time
- Cancellation policy coordination
Vrbo Payout Timing for Hosts
It is important for hosts to know when they will get paid.
Vrbo typically releases payment:
- Payments are usually authorized one business day after the guest checks in, and the funds should appear in the owner's account within 5 to 7 days.
Funds then take several days to arrive, depending on the host’s bank.
According to Expedia Group, which owns Vrbo, payout timing can vary by region and whether you are a first-time host who needs to be verified.
New hosts may experience:
- Initial payout delays
- Verification holds
- Extra documentation requirements
For your first booking as a new host, payout may be delayed up to 30 days from when the guest pays before you receive your first payment.
After your first successful payout, the timing usually becomes more consistent.
Before looking at installment profitability, hosts should understand the fee structures and broader vacation rental payment and KPI considerations.
Vrbo offers two primary fee models:
1. Pay-Per-Booking Model
Hosts pay a commission (typically around 8%, including payment processing).
2. Annual Subscription Model
Hosts pay a flat annual fee instead of per-booking commission.
Guests also pay a service fee, usually 5% to 15% of the rental subtotal, which is deducted automatically before payout.
Vrbo vs Airbnb vs Booking.com: Installment Comparison
Here’s how Vrbo compares to major competitors:
Vrbo stands out by offering more flexible installment payments and giving hosts greater control over payment schedules. While Airbnb provides limited split-pay and Klarna financing in some regions, and Booking.com offers minimal installment support, Vrbo’s deposit-plus-balance structure gives both hosts and guests clearer payment planning options.
Best Practices for Hosts Offering Installments
If you are a property owner, consider the following vacation rental business best practices and management strategies:
1. Adjust by Season
Peak season:
- Require a higher deposit (40% to 50%)
Low season:
- Offer flexible installments to boost bookings
2. Align With Cancellation Policy
- Flexible cancellation and installments may increase risk.
- Strict cancellation and installments offer better protection.
3. Monitor Lead
If your average booking lead time is 90 days or more, offering installment options may help increase bookings, especially when combined with smart pricing and revenue optimization tools.
Managing Flexible Payment Schedules Efficiently
If you manage several properties, tracking installment schedules by hand can get complicated.
When using third-party property management software, property owners can act as the merchant of record, allowing them to customize payment options for their rental transactions, and platforms focused on Airbnb and short-term rental operations like iGMS can centralize these tasks across channels.
A property management system can help you, especially if you operate rental arbitrage and multi-property portfolios:
- Monitor pending installment payments
- Track payout timing
- Automate guest reminders
- Sync Vrbo settings across properties
For hosts with multiple properties, automation helps reduce payment confusion and missed deadlines.
Rental Business and Vacation Rentals
With Vrbo, property owners can accept payments with major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, as well as PayPal, and pair these with structured security deposits and guest payment management. This makes it easy for travelers worldwide to book their ideal place to stay. Flexible payment options help attract more guests and simplify the booking process.
To further streamline operations, many property owners use property management software that integrates with Vrbo. This software automates tasks such as payment collection, booking management, and guest communication, allowing owners to focus on growing their rental business rather than handling time-consuming administrative work.
With Vrbo’s robust payment options and support for remote property management tools, owners can efficiently manage multiple vacation rentals and streamline Airbnb and Vrbo checkout operations, ensuring a seamless experience for themselves and their guests.
Vrbo Offers and Payment Options
Vrbo offers flexible payment options for both guests and hosts. Hosts can enable installment payments, so guests can split the rental amount into several payments based on a custom schedule.
This means guests can pay a down payment to secure their booking and then pay the rest in one or more scheduled installments, with due dates set by the host securely through the Vrbo platform, and hosts can easily manage their payment settings and view transaction details by logging into their Vrbo account.
The left navigation menu provides quick access to important information, such as payment history, upcoming bookings, and account management tools.
By offering a variety of payment options and an intuitive account dashboard, Vrbo makes it easy for hosts to manage their rental income and for guests to book with confidence, no matter their budget or travel plans.
Final Thoughts: Is Vrbo Pay Later Worth It?
For guests, installment payments make expensive vacation rentals more affordable and easier to manage.
For hosts, offering flexible payments can:
- Increase booking rates
- Reduce cart abandonment
- Attract longer stays
However, it is important to balance payment flexibility with risk management and cash flow planning.
As more people use installment payments and Buy Now, Pay Later options grow worldwide, flexible payments are becoming an expectation instead of just a bonus.
If you are booking a stay, check the checkout screen for installment options.If you are a host, think about whether offering pay-later options fits your business goals.
Flexible payments are no longer just a convenience. They are now a competitive advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you split Vrbo payments?
Yes, if the host enables installment payments and the booking is made far enough in advance.
When is the second Vrbo payment due?
Typically 30–60 days before check-in, depending on host rules.
Does Vrbo charge interest on installments?
No. Standard installment schedules do not include interest.However, third-party financing (like Affirm) may include interest.
What happens if I miss an installment payment?
According to Vrbo, not all listings offer the option to pay later using Affirm. The availability of monthly installment payments depends on the specific property and host.
No. Availability depends on host configuration and region.
