Activate Instant Booking on VRBO from Channel Manager
What is VRBO Instant Booking?
It's a feature available in Avantio's Channel Manager that allows bookings from VRBO to be automatically confirmed. Once activated, these bookings will enter your system directly as confirmed, without the need for manual validation.
Additionally, the system will automatically send a confirmation email to the guest (although this message is not customizable at the moment).
Benefits for your agency
Less management, more bookings. Here are some of the main advantages:
Time-saving: Automatically confirmed bookings reduce manual tasks.
Automation: Automatic emails are sent, and bookings are displayed in a specific panel.
Increased visibility: Your properties will be marked on VRBO with the "Instant Confirmation" icon (a lightning bolt).
Higher conversion: Listings with instant booking generate more trust and bookings.
Better guest experience: Clearer communication, visible rules, and upfront payment.
Where can you see confirmed bookings?
In your home dashboard within the VRMS, you'll see a new section called "Instant Booking", where all confirmed bookings will be listed.
What tasks should you continue doing manually?
Although confirmation is automatic, there are actions that still depend on you:
Payment management: You must handle the payment manually.
Status change: Mark the booking as Paid so it disappears from the "Instant Booking" panel.
Step by step: how to activate instant booking
Access Channel PRO.
Go to the menu Configuration > General Settings.
Check the "Instant Booking" box in the VRBO portal configuration.
Contact VRBO to confirm that the feature has been correctly activated in their system.
Pay attention to the details
The automatic confirmation email includes:
The deposit amount.
The rules and conditions for key collection.
This message cannot be modified currently.
Best practices
Mark bookings as paid as soon as possible to maintain clear control from the panel.
Confirm activation directly with VRBO, as checking the box in Channel PRO alone is not sufficient.
Quick checklist
✔ You have activated "Instant Booking" in Channel PRO
✔ You have contacted VRBO to confirm activation
✔ You are reviewing the "Instant Booking" panel in the dashboard
✔ You are marking bookings as "Paid" after managing them
What now?
Now that you have activated instant booking, your listings stand out more, your tasks are simplified, and your guests receive a better experience. As a next step, ensure you integrate an efficient payment management system to close the cycle professionally.
Additional resources ?? here are some additional resources
Set up payment conditions in Channel PRO
Manage automatic emails in VRMS
Bookings panel in the dashboard
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the automatic confirmation email?
No, currently the template is fixed. It includes useful information such as the deposit and key collection rules.
What happens if I don't mark a booking as "Paid"?
It will continue to appear in the "Instant Booking" panel of the dashboard. Marking it is necessary to keep it clean and updated.
Does instant booking imply automatic payment?
No. The confirmation is automatic, but the payment must be managed manually.
How do I know if instant booking is correctly activated?
Besides checking the box in Channel PRO, you must confirm activation with VRBO. You will see the bookings in the specific section of the dashboard if it is working correctly.
Can all my properties have "Instant Booking"?
Yes, as long as they are correctly configured in VRBO and you have activated the feature in Channel PRO.