John Newell

Never had a problem using VRBO until this year. After booking a home I was sent an email stating that my reservation was not complete until I sent in a photo of my driver's license or passport. This new policy was never stated prior to paying with my credit card. I sent an email claiming that this would be a security issue for me. Identity theft is real and I did not want to become another victim. They already had my address, credit card number and telephone number and now they want a copy of my passport or driver's license? I decided to cancel the reservation rather than put myself and my family at a security risk. After cancelling the reservation, they sent me an email indicating that the owner had cancelled the reservation. An absolute lie. I wonder how many hosts lose business because of this VRBO policy? From now on I will use other rental agencies that are more honest and up front about their policies.

Roy Hughes did a great job researching the product I needed. He was very patient in answering my questions using the online web site.
Thank You ROY

In reference to Booking number: BR29048789

This is the rental agreement from the owner:
15 x $282.14 = $4232.14 Rental fee for 15 nights.
$380.89 Taxes
$150. Cleaning
($131.36) Trip Advisor Booking fee paid by the owner
$4631.57 Total payout

However the fees as shown on the Trip Adviser/FlipKey web page are:
$4867.55 Base Rate
$150 Cleaning Fee
$380.89 Tax
$5398.44 Total

The difference between the two totals is:
$5398.44-4631.57= $766.87
I requested a refund of the overpayment of $766.87.

When I called Trip Advisor/Flipkey I was told that the $766.87 was a "booking fee". I responded that there was no "booking fee" listed on their web page. In fact their Base rate ($4867.55) does not even specify what the daily charges are for this rental. It is deceiving to have a Base rate charge that does not specify what the individual charges are.

In addition the owner has informed me that the Trip Adviser web page: "has the wrong information and it is from an old rental agreement that she asked them to erase so it won't be confusing."
Trip Advisor failed to erase this old rental page as the owner requested. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has similar complaints from owners.
The bottom line is that Trip Advisor should credit me with a refund for $766.87 prior to my arrival date of December 15, 2021.
Booking number: BR29048789