As we move toward a new year, VRBO continues to connect property owners and high-quality travelers. This further drives demand while enhancing the overall guest experience. To maximize your property’s visibility, VRBO provides key strategies for 2025 to leverage emerging trends and increase bookings.
1. Optimize for Guest Filters: Vital for Search Visibility
VRBO guests typically use 5-7 filters when searching for vacation rental properties. Therefore, it is essential to optimize listings to ensure they appear within applicable searches. Two of the most influential filters to focus on include:
Premier Host Status
Listings with Premier Host Status have a competitive edge given they are most likely to show-up in filtered searches. The Premier Host program on VRBO highlights top properties and gives owners a significant boost in visibility. More on this below!
Free Cancellations
While this is a filter used frequently by guests worldwide, in the U.S. and Mexico it ranks among the top used by travelers. Be sure to double-check your policies as partial refunds or cancellation fees will exclude listings from the Free Cancellation filter. For this filter, the cancellation policies must include a period offering a 100% refund.
2. Highlight Key Amenities: What Travelers Want in 2025
The new Compare feature on VRBO allows guests to evaluate properties side-by-side. This makes it easier to compare amenities, rates, and cancellation policies. It is noteworthy that along with hot tubs, fireplaces, and patios with spectacular views, popular new amenities such as EV charging stations and heated pools are becoming major draws for travelers.
Highlight Amenities
If your property offers new amenities in particular, such as EV charging stations and heated pools, be sure to update your Streamline settings to further maximize your property’s visibility.
Family and/or Pet-Friendly Features
Family and multi-generational travel is a top priority for VRBO. Make sure to select child-friendly options on your property profile in Streamline, as applicable. Similarly, pet-friendly vacation rentals continue to increase in popularity. This is particularly true for drive-to destinations. Ensure pet-friendly options are selected, as applicable.
3. Earn and Maintain Premier Host Status
As highlighted earlier, listings with Premier Host Status on VRBO have a competitive edge, therefore maximizing your property’s visibility. Recent updates to VRBO’s criteria for Premier Host eligibility make achieving this status even more exclusive and impactful.
Benefits of Premier Host status
- Enhanced Search Ranking: Premier Hosts enjoy better visibility, helping them capture more bookings.
- Premier Host Badge: This clearly identifiable badge on your listings offers guests an immediate signal of quality and commitment.
How to qualify for Premier Host status
To qualify for VRBO’s Premier Host status, you’ll need to meet the following standards:
- Five or more bookings or 60 booked nights
- A minimum of three guest reviews
- An average review score of 4.4 or higher
- A cancellation rate of 1% or lower
4. Be Proactive, not Reactive: Stay ahead of market trends
VRBO points to three key aspects of traveler trends for 2025 to keep in mind: pricing transparency, flexibility & communication, as well as professionalism & loyalty. In today’s dynamic travel landscape, being aware of these trends while taking a proactive approach is key to maximizing your property’s visibility. Keep these tips in mind:
Adjust Calendars and Pricing Regularly
With shorter booking lead times and stay durations, it is essential to set competitive pricing. Moreover, be sure to update your calendar in line with market demand.
Optimize Listings
Ensure all amenities are listed, particularly new ones, and consider adding essential keywords to your headlines and descriptions: spacious patio, wifi, heated pool, pet-friendly, EV charging station, etc.
Pet-Friendly Possibilities
According to recent trends, pets are the “new kids” in vacation travel. With more guests wanting to bring their furry family along, allowing pets can broaden your property’s appeal. This is particularly key for drive-to destinations. Be sure to specify this feature as applicable.
5. Partnering with VRBO: Quarterly Reviews and Continuous Support
To ensure you’re set up for success, schedule regular check-ins with the VRBO team. These quarterly meetings help you stay aligned with the latest trends, assess your competitive position, and make any needed adjustments. By focusing on these strategies and staying connected, you can capture more demand and grow your success on VRBO in 2025 while maximizing your property’s visibility. Ready to elevate your Vrbo experience? Contact our VRBO account manager for Casago if you have any questions, and let’s maximize your listing’s potential!
