How to Cancel a Vrbo Reservation (2026 Guide) — Navigate Cancellation Policies and Get Your Money Back

Updated 2026-02-28 · 5 min read

Vrbo (owned by Expedia) cancellation policies are set by individual property owners, not Vrbo itself. This means every listing has different rules — from full refund up to 60 days before to absolutely no refunds. Add in Vrbo's own service fees (often 6-12% of the booking) and you could lose hundreds on a cancellation. Here's how to navigate it.

💸 The Fee Structure

Vrbo charges a service fee (6-12%) on top of the nightly rate. This fee is often non-refundable even if you cancel within the owner's refund window. On a $2,000 vacation rental, that's $120-240 you'll never see again regardless of when you cancel.

How to Cancel a Vrbo Booking

  1. Log into vrbo.com/trips
  2. Find your upcoming reservation
  3. Click Change or Cancel
  4. Review the cancellation policy — it shows exactly what refund you'll receive
  5. Click Cancel Booking
  6. Confirm — refund processes within 5-10 business days

Understanding the 5 Cancellation Policies

⚠️ Check the Policy BEFORE Booking

The cancellation policy is shown on every listing page (scroll down to "Cancellation policy"). Always filter for Moderate or Relaxed policies if your plans might change. Many hosts use "No refund" or "Strict" during peak seasons.

Getting a Refund on a "No Refund" Booking

💰 Options Even with Strict Policies
  1. Contact the host directly — many will work with you, especially if you cancel early. Message through Vrbo and explain your situation
  2. Request date change — hosts often prefer rebooking over cancellation
  3. Travel insurance claim — if you purchased Vrbo's trip protection or have credit card travel insurance
  4. Vrbo Book with Confidence — if the host cancels on YOU, Vrbo helps find similar properties or issues a full refund
  5. Credit card dispute — last resort if the property was materially misrepresented

How to Delete Your Vrbo Account

If you want to delete your Vrbo account entirely:

  1. Cancel all pending reservations first
  2. Go to Account Settings
  3. Scroll to Delete Account
  4. Note: Since Vrbo is part of Expedia Group, this may also affect your Expedia and Hotels.com accounts

Vrbo vs Airbnb Cancellation Comparison

Airbnb has standardized cancellation tiers with clearer refund amounts. Vrbo lets each host set their own policy, which means more variability. If flexible cancellation matters to you, Airbnb's "Flexible" listings give full refund up to 24 hours before check-in — much more lenient than most Vrbo properties.

💡 Pro Tip: Credit Card Travel Protection

Many premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X) include trip cancellation insurance that covers non-refundable bookings for qualifying reasons (illness, weather, jury duty). Check your card benefits before filing a dispute.

🔍 Find All Your Travel Subscription Charges

Vrbo, Airbnb, hotel loyalty programs — travel charges add up. Upload your bank statement to see every recurring charge.

Scan Your Statement →
Quick Cancel Guide: Vrbo

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