Yes, Airbnb owns VRBO through its parent company Expedia Group

Airbnb does not directly own VRBO, but they are both owned by the same parent company: Expedia Group. Expedia Group acquired VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) in 2007, years before Airbnb became a major player in short-term rentals. When Expedia Group later acquired Airbnb in 2023, both platforms came under the same corporate umbrella.

This ownership structure means VRBO and Airbnb operate as separate brands under one parent company, similar to how Coca-Cola owns both Sprite and Fanta. Each platform maintains its own website, app, host policies, and guest experience, but they share corporate resources and strategic direction from Expedia Group's leadership.

Key Takeaways

  • Expedia Group owns both Airbnb and VRBO as separate brands, not as one company owning the other.
  • VRBO was acquired by Expedia in 2007, making it part of the Expedia portfolio long before Airbnb joined in 2023.
  • Both platforms operate independently with their own listings, policies, and user interfaces despite shared corporate ownership.
  • Hosts can list properties on both VRBO and Airbnb simultaneously, though each platform has different fee structures and audience reach.

How the Ownership Changed Over Time

VRBO's history as a rental platform stretches back further than Airbnb's. Expedia Group purchased VRBO in 2007 when the platform was already an established marketplace for vacation home rentals. For over a decade, VRBO operated as part of Expedia's travel services portfolio alongside hotels, flights, and car rentals.

Airbnb remained independent until 2023, when Expedia Group acquired it in a major corporate transaction. This acquisition brought Airbnb into the same corporate family as VRBO, HomeAway (another Expedia vacation rental brand), and Expedia's traditional hotel and travel booking services. The deal consolidated two of the largest short-term rental platforms under single ownership.

Why Expedia Group Keeps Them Separate

Even though Expedia Group owns both platforms, the company maintains them as distinct brands rather than merging them. This strategy allows each platform to serve different host and guest preferences. VRBO traditionally appeals to property owners who want to rent entire homes and villas, while Airbnb built its reputation on a broader mix of entire homes, private rooms, and shared spaces.

Keeping the brands separate also protects Expedia's market position. If the two platforms merged into one, hosts and guests would have fewer choices, which could invite regulatory scrutiny. By operating as competitors within the same corporate structure, Expedia maintains multiple revenue streams and can test different features and pricing models on each platform.

What This Means for Hosts and Guests

For property owners, the shared ownership creates both opportunities and considerations. You can list the same property on both VRBO and Airbnb to reach different audiences and increase booking potential. However, you will need separate accounts on each platform, manage two sets of calendars and messaging systems, and pay different commission fees to each service.

VRBO typically charges hosts a commission of 3 to 5 percent per booking, while Airbnb's host fees range from 3 to 5 percent depending on your location and listing type. Guest service fees differ as well—Airbnb charges guests a service fee on top of the nightly rate, while VRBO's pricing structure varies. Many hosts use both platforms because the differences in audience and fee structure can make each one worthwhile.

For guests, the shared ownership does not change how you search, book, or pay on either platform. Each site operates with its own search filters, review system, and payment processing. You may notice some overlap in listings if the same property is listed on both platforms, but the booking experience remains separate.

How Expedia Group's Ownership Affects Operations

Corporate ownership by Expedia Group influences both platforms' long-term direction, even as they maintain separate operations. Expedia can shift resources between platforms, coordinate technology development, and align marketing strategies across its vacation rental brands. This can lead to faster feature updates or better customer service infrastructure than either platform might develop independently.

At the same time, Expedia's ownership means both platforms must comply with the parent company's policies on data privacy, financial reporting, and regulatory matters. Changes to Expedia's corporate policies can eventually affect how VRBO and Airbnb handle host payments, guest disputes, or cancellation policies, even if the platforms do not announce these changes directly.

The Competitive Landscape Under One Owner

Expedia Group's ownership of both major short-term rental platforms raises questions about competition in the vacation rental market. In theory, owning both VRBO and Airbnb could allow Expedia to reduce competition and raise prices. In practice, regulators in various countries monitor this arrangement, and Expedia maintains the platforms as separate competitors to avoid antitrust concerns.

Other vacation rental platforms exist outside Expedia's control, including Booking.com (owned by Booking Holdings), Vrbo's HomeAway brand, and smaller regional platforms. This broader competitive landscape means Expedia cannot unilaterally control short-term rental pricing or policies, even with ownership of two major platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I list my property on both VRBO and Airbnb at the same time?

Yes, you can list on both platforms simultaneously. You will need separate accounts and will manage each listing independently, including separate calendars and messaging. Many hosts do this to maximize visibility and bookings, though you must keep both calendars synchronized to avoid double-bookings.

If I have a problem on Airbnb, can VRBO help me?

No. Each platform has its own customer service team and dispute resolution process. A problem on Airbnb must be resolved through Airbnb's support channels, and a VRBO issue must go through VRBO. The shared corporate ownership does not create a unified support system.

Will Airbnb and VRBO merge into one platform?

There is no public announcement of plans to merge them. Expedia Group has kept VRBO and Airbnb as separate brands since the 2023 acquisition, and merging them would likely face regulatory challenges. The company appears committed to operating them as distinct platforms.

Does Expedia own any other vacation rental platforms?

Yes. Expedia Group also owns HomeAway, which operates as a vacation rental marketplace similar to VRBO. Together, VRBO, Airbnb, and HomeAway represent Expedia's major presence in the short-term rental market.