Leaving Hostaway because of the 2% booking fee?

VRBO monthly commission invoice

Annie N
Oct 25, 2023 3:19 AM
Joined Aug, 2023 7 posts

Hi

I am new to OwnerRez have just completed the VRBO API integration (which took over 3 weeks because VRBO were so slow). They told me now the guest will no longer pay the guest service fee and I will pay VRBO a commission of 13.5% going forward for all VRBO bookings, which will be invoiced each month. However when asking them if they can invoice me separately for each property (so I can then easily send individual invoices to each property owner for payment), my VRBO account manager said he wasn't sure but he asked around and was told no it must be a gross monthly invoice for all property commissions in one. I am using VRBO Australia (locally called Stayz.com.au)

I was just wondering if any other property managers know of a way around this with VRBO to get their monthly commission invoice per property rather than all properties rolled into one invoice?

Thanks Annie

Adria H
Oct 25, 2023 9:08 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2022 148 posts

Hi Annie:
As far as I know, Vrbo bills one monthly automatic payment per Vrbo login. If all the properties are on one Vrbo account, you are going to see one charge.  However, you can certainly pay the credit card bill appropriate share from each property's account & bill the owners. Vrbo sends a downloadable spreadsheet file and includes the property name, you can also edit that spreadsheet to address each owner's bookings.

Adria H
Oct 25, 2023 9:34 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2022 148 posts

Annie- we are not familiar with the 13.5% Stayz/Vrbo fee, if you have anything outlining that info can you email it to help@ownerrez.com?

Adria H
Oct 25, 2023 10:48 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2022 148 posts

After a little checking, for future readers, it appears you are on the Vrbo professional plan:

 

Get ready for our professional plan

We’re now moving forwards with making our professional plan the single option for property managers across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. With our professional plan, you’ll pay a commission on each booking while your guests will no longer pay a Vrbo traveller service fee.

Adria H
Oct 25, 2023 12:59 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2022 148 posts

Annie-
Another approach from a different angle. If you import the Vrbo monthly CSV report, that should create expenses for the right bookings and properties, automatically.

 

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/vrbo-commission-file-imports

Annie N
Oct 29, 2023 9:00 AM
Joined Aug, 2023 7 posts

Hi Adria, thanks yes I can send what info i have on this if you still require? I just double checked the fee is actually 13.2% not 13.5% (including GST). Thanks for the tips on how to get around this, I will investigate further.