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Adding VRBO Connection Through rezStream Channels, Powered by Channex

This article explains how to connect a VRBO account to rezStream Channels using Channex, including the required preparation, channel setup, mapping, and activation process.

Before You Begin: Verify the VRBO Account Is Not Connected to Another PMS

You will need:

  • Access to the property's VRBO account
  • Access to the property's rezStream Cloud account
  • The correct currency for the property
  • Knowledge of the property's  VRBO units and rate plans

Check the Existing VRBO Connectivity Settings

Before creating the connection, log into the property's VRBO account and verify that it is not currently connected to another Property Management System (PMS) through an XML/API connection.

If the account was previously connected to another PMS, you will typically see that it is managed by a channel manager.

Important: The property owner or manager must contact VRBO Support and ask to have the account converted back to a standard account without an active channel manager. Before connecting it to rezStream Channels using Channex, confirm that it has been fully disconnected from the previous software to help prevent connection and synchronization issues. 

 

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Remove Existing iCal Connections

Before connecting VRBO to rezStream Channels using Channex, remove any calendar links imported into your VRBO account from your previous property management system.

These links, also called iCal connections, share booked and blocked dates with VRBO. If you previously copied a calendar link from your former PMS into VRBO, this applies to you.

Leaving an old calendar link active may interfere with VRBO availability updates.

To remove imported calendars:

  1. Log into the property's VRBO account.
  2. Click Calendar from the left navigation.
  3. Select Import & Export.
  4. Open Imported Calendars.
  5. Remove any imported calendars.

Note: Every VRBO account may look slightly different, but there should be a Calendar section with an Import & Export option. Any imported calendars should be removed before mapping the units in rezStream Cloud using Channex.

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 Creating the VRBO Channel

  1. In rezStream, navigate to: Integrations → rezStream Channels
  2. Select the Channels tab.
  3. Click Create.

  4. Search for VRBO.
  5. Enter a channel title.

Recommended title format:

Property Name - VRBO

For the Currency you can either select Auto, or you currency of choice.

Enter VRBO Credentials

VRBO is currently the only OTA connected through rezStream Channels using Channex that requires the property’s VRBO login credentials.

Enter the same username and password the property uses to access the VRBO Extranet.

VRBO Partner Login: https://accounts.expediagroup.com/partner/login

Configure the Connection Sync Logic

Min Stay Type:

The recommended setting and default is the Arrival option, meaning based on check-in day.  Where the Through option applies the minimum stay rule to any reservation that includes or crosses that specific date during the stay, regardless of when the guest arrives. 

The recommended Sync Logic setting is:

  • Availability, Price and Restrictions

These settings determine what information rezStream Cloud and Channex send to VRBO.

Selecting Availability Only will only send the availability to the channel and you would need to manage the rates within your VRBO extranet account. 

Payout Type

The recommended setting is:

Total Booking Amount

This option is ultimately the property's preference.

If you choose to select Payout Amount this will include the commission amount that the property receives.  Guest will see the commission amount if this is selected on their Invoice when downloaded. 

Sync days up to: This allows you to select the length of time that your VRBO account will allow reservations.  Within the dropdown section you can select your time frame. 

Authenticate the Connection

  1. Click Authenticate.
  2. VRBO will typically send a verification code to the phone number associated with the account.
  3. Enter the verification code.
  4. Click Test Connection.

If everything is configured correctly, a green Successful Connection message will appear.

Map the Units

After receiving a successful connection:

  1. Click the Mapping tab.
  2. Map each rezStream Unit or Unit Type to the corresponding VRBO listing.

The number displayed next to each VRBO listing represents the Base Capacity.

The Base Capacity should match the value configured under:

Configuration → Rate Plans (Unit Types)

This setting is primarily used if the property charges additional guest fees after a certain occupancy.

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Channel Settings (Optional)

The Channel Settings tab allows you to create pricing adjustments that apply only to VRBO.

You can configure either:

  • A price increase
  • A price decrease

Then specify the desired amount.

These adjustments affect only the VRBO channel and do not change the property's standard rates.

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Save and Activate the Channel

When setup is complete:

  1. Click Save.

Depending on the account, you may see:

  • Save & Activate, or

  • Save

If only Save is available:

  1. Save the channel.

  2. Return to the Channels tab.

  3. Click Actions next to the VRBO channel.

  4. Select Activate.

Once activated, the channel status should display:

Active

Running a Full Sync

A Full Sync manually sends all rates, availability, and restrictions to VRBO.

Although this is typically unnecessary after the initial setup, it can be run at any time.

To perform a Full Sync:

  1. Navigate to the Channels tab.
  2. Click Actions next to the VRBO channel.
  3. Select Full Sync.

Configure the Reservation Source

After activating the channel:

  1. Go to Channel Tenant Settings > Channel Mappings 
  2. Assign the reservation Source for VRBO.

If a VRBO source has not yet been created:

  1. Navigate to: Configuration → Source of Contact and Reason for Stay
  2. Open the Sources tab.
  3. Click Add New Source.
  4. Create a new source named VRBO.
  5. Return to Channel Mappings and assign the newly created source.

Supported Functionality

The VRBO integration currently supports:

  • ARI updates (Availability, Rates, and Restrictions)
  • Downloading reservations
    • New reservations
    • Modified reservations
    • Cancelled reservations
  • Sending rates to VRBO 
  • Sending availability

Supported Currencies

  • USD
  • CAD
  • EUR
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • SGD
  • BRL
  • MXN
  • GBP

VRBO connection does have a delay in downloading reservations, so it may take longer then other channels for the reservations to download. 

Not Currently Supported

The following functionality is not currently supported through the VRBO integration:

  • Messages
  • Images
  • Descriptions

Best Practices

  • Verify that the VRBO account is no longer connected to another PMS before attempting setup.
  • Remove all imported iCal calendars before creating the connection.
  • Verify all unit mappings before activating the channel.
  • Assign a VRBO reservation source so imported reservations are categorized correctly.
  • Run a Full Sync after activation if you need to immediately send updated rates and availability to VRBO.
  • In rezStream Channels, go to Channel Tenant Settings > Settings and confirm that the appropriate users are set up to receive notifications. Changes to the property’s VRBO login credentials, such as a password update, may interrupt the connection. If this happens, your team will receive an email notification with instructions to restore the connection promptly.