Troubleshooting: Vrbo price sync issues

When your Vrbo listings use a limited sync connection type, you manage pricing and availability in Guesty. All other actions are performed directly on Vrbo. If you notice your nightly rates on Vrbo don't match the rates you set in Guesty, it's usually due to a sync delay or an incorrect setting. This article helps you identify the cause of the discrepancy and resolve it.

Changes made to rates in Guesty can take up to one hour to sync with Vrbo. All other actions, such as managing payment collection, taxes, and service fees, are performed directly in Vrbo.

Identifying the cause of rate discrepancies

The following scenarios could cause nightly rate discrepancies:

1. Sync delays

Rates in Guesty can take up to one hour to update on Vrbo. If you recently changed your prices, wait one hour to verify the update on Vrbo.

If the rate remains unchanged after one hour, trigger a new sync. To do this, make a minor change to the listing's calendar, such as updating the minimum nights, and then change it back. 

2. Pricing was edited directly on Vrbo

Guesty doesn't override rates that were updated directly on Vrbo for a limited sync listing. To resolve this, update the pricing in Guesty. Guesty will then manage the pricing automatically.

3. A third-party pricing tool is overriding rates

Tools like PriceLabs or Wheelhouse can overwrite Guesty pricing. Confirm which platform is syncing rates to Guesty. If a third-party tool is active, verify the last sync date and ensure it’s configured to send prices to Guesty correctly.

4. Incorrect markup or markdown settings

Markups or markdowns are adjustments set in Guesty to increase or decrease the price synced to Vrbo. Follow the steps below to review your settings.

Step by step:

1. Sign in to your Guesty account.
2. In the top navigation bar, click Channels and select Vrbo.
3. Select the relevant listing.
4. In the left-side menu, select Pricing and policies, and then select Pricing. 
5. Scroll down to "Markup / Markdown" and click Edit.

6.  Review and adjust the Markup / Markdown percentage value as needed and click Save.

   Allow up to one hour for the updated pricing to appear on Vrbo.

Verifying your connection and pricing setup

1. Verify your connection status

If the listing isn't properly connected, Guesty can't sync rates. Follow the instructions below to ensure your listing is connected.

Step by step:

1. Sign in to your Guesty account.
2. In the top navigation bar, click Channels and select Vrbo.
3. Confirm the listing connection status is "Connected".
4. If the listing is not connected, click Publish.

2. Confirm the correct pricing source

Guesty calculates the nightly rate sent to Vrbo using your base price and markup or markdown settings. Follow the instructions below to verify this calculation.

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 listing and select Pricing. 
4. Confirm the correct pricing is applied to your listing's base price and markup or markdown

For example: If your Guesty nightly rate is $100 and your Vrbo markup is 10%, the expected published rate is $110 (rounded).

3. Sync delays

Rates may take up to 24 hours to update across both platforms. If no update occurs after 24 hours, make a small calendar change to trigger a new sync, for example, close and reopen one day.

Advanced troubleshooting

If you still notice discrepancies, contact us with the following information:

• Listing name and ID
• Dates where the rate differs
• Guesty nightly rate (with screenshots)
• Markup or markdown percentage
• Vrbo published rate (with screenshots)
• Your Advertiser ID

If the rate is correct in Guesty but incorrect on Vrbo, contact Vrbo support with your Advertiser ID.

Financials and revenue management

Pricing and markups are managed in Guesty, and payment collection, taxes, and service fees are managed in Vrbo.