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Coming in 2026! New tools to decode what drives bookings

Announcing powerful tools and updates that reveal exactly how to boost your property’s performance – so you understand precisely what it takes to level up.


As a holiday rental owner or manager, you know that success in this industry goes beyond just offering a place to stay. Today’s travellers are seeking trustworthy, high-quality experiences and we’re committed to helping you meet and exceed these expectations.

 

We’re thrilled to announce a suite of powerful new tools and updates designed to help you improve quality, gain visibility, increase traveller trust and earn rewards. Let’s dive into how these changes will elevate your hosting experience and drive your success.


Performance Milestones: your path to excellence


Imagine having a clear blueprint to booking success for each of your properties. That’s exactly what our new Performance Milestones provide. This innovative feature gives you a comprehensive view of how your properties are performing and outlines actionable steps to help you reach the next level.



Here’s what you can expect:


Milestone 1: Good

Recognition for providing consistent traveller experiences, increased visibility and eligibility for exclusive listing badges.

 

• 90% acceptance rate

• 1% or less cancellation rate

• 4.0+ review rating

• No review count minimum

Milestone 2: Great

Premier Host status achieved, unlocking benefits such as priority support and visibility in more filtered searches. 

 

• 99% acceptance rate

• 0% cancellation rate

• 4.6+ review rating

• 5 review count minimum

Milestone 3: Excellent

Top-tier recognition, maximum visibility and eligibility for exclusive perks such as a top 1% badge. 

 

• 100% acceptance rate

• 0% cancellation rate

• 5.0 review rating

• 10 review count minimum


Each milestone rewards you for delivering what travellers value most: reliable bookings, great communication and high guest satisfaction. As you progress, you’ll unlock increasing benefits and recognition, creating a virtuous cycle of success.

Clear the path for more bookings, step by step.

Premier Host programme: raising the bar


Based on your valuable feedback, the Premier Host programme is evolving to increase exclusivity and reward truly top-tier performance. From 2026, Premier Host status will be applied at the individual listing level, ensuring that each property stands on its own merits.



Elevated qualifications


To qualify, listings will need to meet the following new criteria: 

  • 5+ bookings or 60 booked nights 

  • 5+ guest reviews

  • 4.6 or higher guest review score

  • 99% or higher accepted booking rate

  • 0% partner-initiated cancellation rate


The benefits of heightened criteria


Our push for higher quality enables more remarkable guest experiences, which translates into clear benefits for you:

 

  1. Increased search visibility potential

  2. More rewards for high-performing listings

  3. More – and repeat – guests

  4. Improved trust among travellers

 

These improvements are designed to work harder for you, helping you attract more bookings and build a thriving holiday rental business.

Celebrating the best of the best

Learn more about how Premier Host updates will recognise and reward each listing’s commitment to excellence.


Enhanced coaching: your personal performance guide


Introducing enhanced coaching – a feature that provides personalised tips and recommendations to help you improve your business. This data-driven guidance offers tangible steps you can take to boost your performance and deliver unforgettable guest experiences.

 

One exciting aspect of enhanced coaching is the new Offer Strength Score. This metric gives you greater transparency into your visibility and sort placement in searches, allowing you to see how you stack up against similar properties and take action to improve.

Outshine the ordinary.

Setting new standards


Over the past year, decisive action has been taken to remove underperforming properties from the platform, elevating the overall quality of the marketplace. This commitment to excellence continues, with ongoing monitoring of the lowest performers. The goal? To ensure that every traveller booking through Vrbo enjoys a consistently trustworthy experience.

 

And maintaining high standards doesn’t just improve traveller confidence – it creates an environment where quality rises to the top, benefiting both guests and dedicated hosts like you.

Elevating quality, amplifying success


Thank you for helping us constantly push the envelope. Your feedback is the rocket fuel for our innovation. These new tools and updates are just the beginning of our ongoing efforts to innovate and improve. Together, we’re not just raising the bar – we’re redefining what’s possible in our industry.



Level up your listings

Review your current listings against the new Premier Host criteria and take action to position yourself ahead of the competition.

Questions? Get in touch.

We have your back, 24/7. Get in touch to ask questions about these updates or to explore how we can further support your business.
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