Achieving Vrbo Premier Host status should be the top priority of any host looking to make the most of the platform. It boosts your visibility in listings, improves your credibility with users, and raises your booking rates.
But achieving and maintaining Vrbo Premier Host status can be challenging, especially when you’re first starting out. There’s often a learning curve to a new platform, and there’s no shortage of more experienced competitors. Vrbo has over 700,000 active listings as of 2025.
As with most things, getting Vrbo Premier Host status just comes down to nailing a few basics. Our guide explores the program criteria and shows you the best techniques to consistently achieve the status, year after year.
What is Vrbo Premier Host status?
Vrbo Premier Host is a free, invite-only program for hosts that consistently deliver excellent guest experiences. The platform monitors accounts and automatically invites you once you’ve met all the criteria for the quarter.
The reverse is also true: If you fail to meet the eligibility criteria for the year, you will lose your status at the end of the period.
As well as being a way to reward hosts, the Premier Host program highlights the best listings to users. The idea is that potential guests are more likely to make a booking, have a great experience, and continue to use the platform. Basically, it’s a win-win-win situation for all involved.
Key Benefits of becoming a Vrbo Premier Host
Why would you want the extra stress of trying to achieve Vrbo Host Status on top of the day-to-day management of your business? Well, the program offers several advantages that can make your life easier in the long run:
- Increased visibility: Your search position gets higher, making it easier for travelers to find you.
- Search filter: Guests can select the Premier Host filter to remove lower-performing competitors and find your listing.
- More credibility: The Premier Host badge signals to users that you can provide a great experience, meaning they’ll be more likely to book.
- Priority support: You get expedited access to 24/7 support for any issues.
- A wider range of marketing opportunities: Premier Hosts are eligible for Vrbo email campaigns, social media features, and press releases, which are featured to millions of potential guests.
Let’s not forget about the indirect benefits: Kristina Bronitsky, Director of Consumer Marketing for Red Awning, says, “The badge is a trust layer. Guests in the short-term rental space are basically booking sight unseen, so when they see “Premier Host,” it diminishes perceived risk.”
Bronitsky adds, “What I’ve seen is not so much a sudden increase in the rate of inquiries but rather a higher standard for their quality: Inquiries are more likely to convert to bookings, and guests are approaching communication with confidence.”
Detailed requirements for Vrbo Premier Host status
As of January 2026, you must meet new criteria to achieve Premier Host status. Four of the five requirements are more challenging than before.
- An average review rating of 4.6 or higher
- A booking acceptance rate of 99% or higher
- An owner-initiated cancellation rate of 0%
- At least five Vrbo guest reviews
- At least five bookings or 60 booked nights
The updates mean that anyone who achieved Premier Host status in 2025 won’t automatically keep it in 2026.
Here are the upsides: Although meeting stricter standards is more challenging, it makes Premier Host Status more exclusive. You have less competition, and users know your badge is a real mark of excellence.
And you have some time to adjust your approach. Vrbo reviews your progress quarterly, so you have some time to recover if you have a slow start to the year.
Strategies to achieve and maintain Premier Host status on Vrbo
Developing a solid strategy and setting strong foundations is the best way to achieve Premier Host status. Here are some proven tips on what to do:
Avoid host cancellations
“Acceptance rate is the unspoken challenge,” says Bronitsky, “Many operators accidentally turn down reservations due to double-bookings or calendars not matching up.” But you can’t afford to have a single rejection when the Premier Host criteria for host-initiated cancellation limit is set to 0%.
Bronitsky says, “The fix isn’t usually in customer service — it’s in technology. Automated syncing across channels and having a strict policy on instant booking helps a bit with the steadiness.”
Automate syncing as she suggests by investing in a channel manager like Hostfully. This software shares your calendar and booking data across all your listing platforms, including Vrbo.
Don’t forget that Vrbo also gives you certain circumstances in which you can request a cancellation. If you have a justified reason, such as a natural disaster or extenuating circumstances, you may be eligible for a waiver.
Keep your listing accurate and up-to-date
When listing your property, it’s only natural to want to present it in the best light. But misleading guests can backfire as they’re more likely to cancel or leave bad reviews when they feel misled.
Bronitsky says, “The best hosts are radically transparent. If a property is next to a busy street, call it “steps from nightlife” instead of glossing over the noise factor. If Wi Fi is spotty in rural regions, let us know. Informed guests are more forgiving than surprised ones.”
The same applies to updates. If something changes about your vacation rental or the surrounding area, change your property listing as soon as possible. Guests are unlikely to be forgiving if it affects their stay.
Ensure your property meets premium standards
Getting consistently positive reviews is essential for achieving Premier Host status. Get started by addressing one of the most common reasons for low scores: cleanliness.
Guarantee your property is always ready for guests by automating task management. Using Hostfully’s features, you can assign checklists, monitor progress, and keep a running tally of supplies. If there’s ever an issue, you can communicate with staff via the app and have a chance to respond before anyone arrives at the property.
Smooth check-in processes are just as important to great traveler experiences. Being kept waiting on the doorstop can make tired guests feel frustrated and give them a bad first impression of your vacation rental business. Smart locks fix this issue by letting you send each booking party unique codes they can use to enter the rental property whenever they like.
Hostfully integrates with these devices, so you can generate and share codes automatically. You don’t have to go to the trouble of constantly resetting the software to ensure properties remain secure.
Communicate effectively throughout the guest’s stay
Maintaining communication with guests leaves them feeling valued and well-cared for. But ensuring you’re available at every hour is impossible.
The best way to remain responsive is by automating guest communication. Use specialist software like Hostfully to schedule messages at select points and tell everyone what they need to know. For example, you might send:
- A booking confirmation
- Details about the check-in process
- A welcome message
- A mid-stay check-up
- A thank you at the end of the trip
- A reminder to leave a review
Creating a digital guidebook can also help guests make the most of your property without the back and forth of messages. Use a solution like Hostfully to create a custom guidebook with directions around the area, instructions for the rental, and local recommendations. You can send it as a text message, so it’s easy for guests to open and refer to.
Encourage guests to leave reviews
If you’re sure guests had a great stay, nudge them to leave you a review. Many forget to do this simple task after travelling back home after their vacation.
Property management platforms (PMPs) like Hostfully enable you to automate follow-up messages. Our platform lets you write custom templates and schedule reminders for strategic points after the reservation ends. Using our triggers and fields, you can automatically fill in guest details for a more personal feel.
Common pitfalls with the Vrbo Premier Host program and how to avoid them
While the Vrbo Premier Host program can be highly rewarding, it comes with its own challenges. Here are some of the obstacles you should be aware of:
- Getting enough online bookings on Vrbo: If most of your bookings come from other platforms like Airbnb, you may struggle to meet your quota for Vrbo within the quarter. Check whether you may affect your standing on other listing sites before you pursue Premier Host status more aggressively.
- Slow periods: Getting at least 5 bookings (or 60 nights’ worth of reservations) may be hard if you start at a slow time of year. Consider when you’re signing up to understand what’s realistic.
- Underpricing nights: One common tactic to get enough booking requests is to lower your rates. While effective, you risk making your business unprofitable. Use dynamic pricing tools to set rates that help you remain competitive without affecting your income.
- Compromising quality for quantity: Don’t focus on getting reservations at all costs and letting the guest experience suffer. Bronitsky says, “Premier Host status is about maintaining service. The goal is to accumulate enough bookings for positive reviews. Tactics can range from tweaking minimum stays, offering slight last-minute discounts, or marketing the property for a slightly different audience.”
How Hostfully can help you become a Vrbo Premier Host
Vrbo’s Premier Host program rewards hosts who deliver consistently excellent guest experiences. But reaching and maintaining that level of performance takes time. Between managing reviews, preventing cancellations, and keeping listings current, every detail matters.
With a clear plan and the right technology, you can stay ahead of Vrbo’s evolving criteria and continue to earn that recognition quarter after quarter.
Yes, we’re talking about Hostfully PMS.
- Sync calendars across all channels to prevent double bookings
- Automate guest communication with pre-scheduled, personalized messages
- Create digital guidebooks for smooth check-ins and better guest experiences
- Track cleaning and maintenance tasks to maintain high standards
- Generate and send smart lock access codes automatically
- Collect reviews with automated follow-ups to boost your rating
- Centralize all reservations and performance data in one dashboard
With Hostfully, you can focus less on manual upkeep and more on delivering the kind of guest experience that earns trust, loyalty, and that coveted Premier Host badge.
Frequently asked questions about Vrbo’s premier host status
How often is Premier Host status reviewed?
Vrbo assesses Premier Host status every quarter. If your property meets the requirements during a review, your listing is automatically awarded or renewed with the Premier Host badge.
Can new properties under a Premier Host automatically get the badge?
No, new properties do not automatically inherit Premier Host status. As of 2026, each new listing must independently meet Vrbo’s criteria, including review count, booking volume, and guest satisfaction metrics, before earning the badge.
What happens if I lose my Premier Host status?
If you lose Premier Host status, you can regain it in the next quarterly review cycle. Focus on maintaining strong reviews, preventing cancellations, and keeping booking acceptance rates high to restore your Premier Host status.
Is Premier Host status worth the effort?
Yes, Premier Host status increases your visibility, credibility, and access to exclusive Vrbo benefits. The badge signals quality to travelers, which can lead to higher search placement, stronger overall performance, and improved booking confidence.
Does Vrbo Premier Host status guarantee more bookings?
No, Premier Host status does not guarantee more bookings, but it does significantly improve your chances. Better rankings, more marketing opportunities, and the badge make your property more noticeable and attractive to users.
