Vrbo Premier Host Program: Benefits & How to Qualify

Key Takeaways:

• Vrbo's Premier Host program rewards hosts who offer exceptional guest experiences with a badge on their listing, greater listing visibility, and priority support.
• Achieving Premier Host status leads to higher average daily rates (ADRs) and revenue per available room (RevPAR).
• Focusing on positive guest reviews, optimizing pricing strategies, utilizing instant booking, and enhancing property listings are key to getting and keeping the Premier Host badge.

Succeeding as a short-term rental host means setting your rental apart from competitors. One way to stand out on Vrbo is to become a Premier Host (Premier Partner).

As a Premier Host on Vrbo, you're not just offering a place to stay—you're providing an exceptional experience that guests will remember for years to come. This article is your guide to understanding the Vrbo Premier Host program (formerly known as the Vrbo Premier Partner program). We bring you up to date on everything from eligibility criteria to the exclusive benefits that come with Premier Host status.

What Does It Mean to Be a Premier Host on Vrbo?

Similar to Airbnb’s Super Host program, Vrbo Premier Host is a free, invite-only program that recognizes vacation rental hosts who consistently deliver great guest experiences. You’ll be added to the program as soon as you meet the eligibility requirements.

When you become a Premier Host on Vrbo, you’re demonstrating your commitment to excellence in hospitality. Premier Hosts consistently provide outstanding guest experiences, exceed expectations, and uphold the highest standards of quality and service.

As a Premier Host, you'll stand out in the crowded vacation rental market, attracting discerning travelers who value reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail. Your Premier Host status instills confidence in prospective guests and sets you apart from the competition.

Vrbo Premier Host Program Requirements and Eligibility

Premier host requirements are in place to ensure that property owners are consistently delivering exceptional guest experiences and upholding the highest standards of hospitality.

To qualify, Vrbo hosts are expected to:

• Maintain a high level of guest satisfaction
• Achieve a minimum number of bookings
• Maintain a low cancellation rate
• Be responsive to guest inquiries and booking requests 
• Adhere to Vrbo's community guidelines and policies and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and local laws

Benefits Available to Vrbo Premier Hosts

When you become a Vrbo Premier Host, you gain access to exclusive benefits and privileges that can take your vacation rental business to new heights. These benefits not only enhance your listing's visibility and credibility, but also contribute to guest satisfaction and lead to increased bookings.

Vrbo Premier Host Badge

The Vrbo Premier Host Badge distinguishes your listing from the rest. With this badge displayed on your property listing, guests will know you are a trusted, reputable host. The badge acts as a powerful endorsement for property owners. It tells guests that the vacation rental property owner consistently meets high standards of hospitality as well as Vrbo's rigorous standards of quality and service.

Boost Program

Vrbo's Boost program helps Premier Hosts reach a larger audience of travelers and secure more bookings. 

By participating in the Boost program, your listing receives prioritized placement, which increases its visibility to prospective guests and maximizes booking potential.

Premier Host Filter

The Premier Host filter lets guests refine search results to only view listings hosted by Premier Hosts. This allows guests to book with confidence, knowing that they are selecting from among the best properties available. 

Priority Support for Premier Hosts

As a Premier Host, you receive dedicated, expedited support from Vrbo's customer service team. Whether it's resolving technical issues, addressing guest inquiries, or providing guidance on best practices, Premier Hosts can rely on Vrbo's priority support team to deliver prompt and effective solutions.

Improved Performance

Most impactfully of all, Vrbo Premier Hosts see higher average ADRs and RevPARs compared to non-Premier Hosts. ADR is your average daily rate, or how much guests pay per day on average. RevPAR is essentially your true revenue. It takes into account both ADR and occupancy and it’s calculated by dividing your annual revenue by your nights available.

AirDNA analyzed 553,000 active Vrbo listings with at least three reviews in January 2024 to determine whether Premier Host status improves STR performance. Premier Hosts operated 57% of the total listings analyzed. Although occupancy rates were stable between Premier Host and non-Premier vacation rentals, ADR, RevPAR, and average review scores were higher across the board for Premier Hosts.

From January 2023 - January 2024, the average review score for Premier Host listings was 4.82 while non-premier host listings had an average review score of 4.68. Average ADR for Premier Host listings over that same period was $395 while average ADR for non-Premier Hosts was $367 — a 7.6% increase for Premier Hosts. 

Charging higher ADRs also means higher RevPARs for Premier Hosts. RevPARs for Premier Host listings are 8% higher than non-Premier Host listings.

Premier Host Performance Varies By Type of Host

Our data shows big differences in the percentage of individual operators with Premier Host status versus Premier status among Vrbo professional property managers. Among individual operators, listings with and without this coveted distinction is 50/50. Among listings managed by professional property managers, though, 67% have Premier Host status.

AirDNA also found that professional property managers with Premier Host status tend to outperform individual vacation rental owners in terms of revenue. However, they fail to provide the same level of service, communication, and value that individual operators deliver. 

Professional property managers with Premier Host status see 10.6% higher ADRs and 13.6% higher RevPARs than Premier Host individual operators. On the flip side, they also have a significantly lower average review score—4.73—compared to Premier Host individual operators, who have an average 4.9 review score.

This is likely why larger operators have a harder time achieving Airbnb Superhost status. On that platform, hosts must maintain an average overall review score of 4.8. Currently, only 38% of professionally managed active properties have Superhost status. This is in contrast to 62% of properties managed by individual operators. 

How to Track Your Progress

If you’re hoping to join the Premier Host program, there are a few ways to track your progress towards achieving this status.

One valuable tool for monitoring progress is the Premier Host scorecard, which provides an overview of your performance across key metrics such as booking acceptance rate, guest reviews, and average review rating. By regularly revisiting the Premier Host scorecard, you can identify areas for improvement and proactively enhance your property in the right ways to get Premier status.

Vrbo also provides host level indicators to offer insights into your current standing within the Premier Host program. Indicators can include the number of bookings, average nightly rate, and overall guest satisfaction. These help you gauge your progress and adjust your strategy to meet Premier Host requirements.

Vrbo’s Quarterly Assessments

Vrbo's quarterly assessments play a crucial role in evaluating Premier Host performance and determining standing within the program. These assessments allow Vrbo to weigh hosts' performance against program requirements and eligibility criteria, considering factors such as booking acceptance rate, guest reviews, and overall guest satisfaction.

The results of these quarterly assessments may directly impact a host’s eligibility for Premier Host status. Property owners who consistently meet or exceed program requirements may maintain their Premier Host status, while vacation rental owners who fall short may be at risk of losing it.

Tips for Achieving and Maintaining Vrbo Premier Host Status

Aspiring and current Premier Hosts alike can implement actionable strategies to achieve and maintain their Premier Host status. 

Let’s talk about some insider tips and best practices to help you succeed:

Strive for Positive Reviews

Positive guest reviews are crucial to achieving and maintaining Premier Host status on Vrbo. 

Encourage positive guest reviews by providing exceptional hospitality and ensuring a seamless guest experience. Respond promptly to guest feedback and address any concerns or issues as they arise to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Optimize Your Pricing Strategies

Effective pricing strategies help property managers attract more guests and increase your booking rate, both of which are essential to achieving Premier Host status on Vrbo. 

Analyze market trends and competitor pricing to set the best rates for your vacation rental property. Consider offering discounts or promotions during the offseason to attract more bookings and maximize your occupancy rate.

Use Instant Booking

Instant booking streamlines the booking process for guests and improves your chances of achieving Premier Host status on Vrbo. When instant booking is enabled, guests can book your property right away without waiting for approval, leading to more booking opportunities and higher conversion rates. Ensure that your calendar is up-to-date and that your property is ready for guests to make instant bookings.

Spruce Up Your Listing

A stunning property listing can help make a better impression with your prospective guests. Optimize your property listing by including high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and virtual tours. Provide clear explanations about the kind of service guests can expect throughout their stay through pre-booking messages and a welcome basket. Actively participating in Vrbo's host community can also help you stay informed about program updates and best practices.