Title. No option to pre-approve on VRBO or OR.
I can convert it to a booking but then I need guests info to send it to them.
I could do that but it would be a helluva lot easier to just be able to pre-approve them somehow, which it is not allowing me to do.
When you connect to Vrbo through their API, Vrbo treats you like a professional partner: they show your listing, but all booking details are handled on your side. However, Vrbo works hard to keep guest communication inside their system to prevent off-platform bookings.
Because of this:
Vrbo inquiries cannot be turned into bookings. Guests can only book after the inquiry stage is finished.
The Quote and Pre-Approve buttons in your Vrbo dashboard do not work.
When an inquiry imports into OwnerRez, it may look like you can send a quote or change charges, but guests cannot accept that quote. Vrbo blocks links that would allow it to turn into a booking.
Ways to adjust pricing for a Vrbo guest
Important: Vrbo’s ~15% guest fee does not go down even if you lower the price later in OwnerRez.
1. Discuss and Refund
You and the guest agree on a price through the Vrbo inbox.
They book at the normal price, and you refund the difference afterward.
Downsides: Guests may hesitate, and you might pay refund processing fees depending on your payment processor.
2. Adjust Rates and Min Nights
You and the guest agree on a price.
You temporarily change your rates/min nights for those dates, wait for Vrbo to sync (10–15 minutes), and the guest books right away.
Risks:
Anyone could book at that lowered rate.
Dynamic pricing tools may overwrite your manual changes on the next sync.
Requires both you and the guest to act fast.
3. Instant Book Trick
If you use Instant Book, you can temporarily change your rules so bookings go into a “pending” status.
This gives you a moment to adjust the price before confirming.
Then switch your rules back to normal.
