Troubleshooting: Vrbo calendar sync issues

Sync issues can lead to double bookings, incorrect availability, or missing reservations. Calendar syncs between Vrbo and Guesty usually take up to one hour, but can take up to three hours during peak seasons or system maintenance. If a calendar sync issue extends beyond three hours, follow the troubleshooting steps below to resolve the issue.

Calendar sync issues between Vrbo and Guesty

New Vrbo reservations, cancellations, or calendar availability updates that aren't syncing between platforms, or error messages when refreshing a connection, often indicate a disconnected Vrbo account. Follow the steps below to review the connection status and reconnect a disconnected account.

Step by step:

1. Sign in to your Guesty account.
2. In the top navigation bar, click Channels and select Vrbo.

3. Locate the relevant account and review the connection under the "status" column.

   If you see an "Action required" status, restart the Vrbo integration. Ensure you complete the required authentication process.

Resolve double bookings between Vrbo and other channels

Dates booked on multiple channels, calendar conflicts, or availability that doesn't update on other booking channels suggest incorrect calendar links. Follow the steps below to verify that the iCal links match between Guesty and Vrbo.

Step by step:

1. Sign in to your Guesty account.
2. In the top navigation bar, click Listings.
3. Click the relevant listing.
4. In the left-side menu, click Calendar. 
5. Select Calendar sync (iCal) from the dropdown menu.

6. Next to "Import external calendars", click Edit.

   The "External iCalendar link" is the external iCal link imported in Guesty. This link must align with the exported iCal link in Vrbo. If these do not align, remove the connection, generate a new URL and restart the iCal sync process. The syncing status must be "Active".

Refer to our iCal events troubleshooting guide for additional troubleshooting tips.

Manage blocked dates and availability issues

Incorrect availability in the Guesty calendar, unexplained calendar blocks, or booking window restrictions can often be resolved by updating stay requirements. Follow the steps below to remove unnecessary restrictions.

Step by step:

1. Remove unnecessary manual blocks and preparation time blocks.
2. Adjust your listing's booking window to "no restrictions".
3. Update your minimum stay requirements so that they are consistent across platforms. Keep in mind that Vrbo has an 18-month maximum window.

Address Vrbo calendar conflicts

The Vrbo calendar may display a conflict warning after a reservation is made. This occurs because Guesty imports and exports the listing’s iCal from Vrbo as a safeguard against double bookings. This warning doesn't affect reservations and you can safely ignore it.

If these issues persist, contact us with the following information:

• The relevant reservation IDs
• A list of your specific syncing issues
• Screenshots of the issues when possible

Avoid delays in reservation syncing

If you experience delays in reservations syncing from Vrbo to Guesty, add an iCal link to the Guesty listing. This will increase the frequency in syncing between platforms and avoid double bookings.

Step by step:

1. Sign in to your Guesty account.
2. In the top navigation bar, click Listings.
3. Select the relevant listing.
4. Click Calendar and select Calendar sync (iCal) from the dropdown menu.
5. Click Create a new iCal.
6. Under "Name", enter a name for the sync, for example, "Vrbo iCal".

7. Under "External iCal link", enter your Vrbo iCal link.

   If you don't know your Vrbo iCal link, click Where can I find the link? and follow the prompts:

   1. Click Open Vrbo calendar. 
   2. You'll be redirected to a new tab for Vrbo. Click Import and export.
   3. Under "Export calendar":
      1. Uncheck the Include tentative bookings box.
      2. Click Copy URL.
8. Return to Guesty. and paste the URL in the relevant input field.
9. Toggle on Sync calendar.
10. Toggle on Adjust imported dates.
    • Leave "Adjust imported start date" as the default setting.
    • Set "Adjust imported end date" to 1 day before imported end date.
11. Click Save.