By Ryan Drew | Superhost and Vacation Rental Expert | Last Updated April 19, 2026
When you’re searching for a rental on VRBO, you’ll notice some listings have a lightning bolt icon and a “Book Now” button, while others say “Request to Book” instead. These aren’t just cosmetic differences — they work in fundamentally different ways and they affect how quickly your trip gets confirmed, how much flexibility you have, and what happens if something goes wrong. Here’s exactly what each one means from a guest’s perspective.
Browse VRBO and filter for Instant Book listings — confirmed immediately, no waiting for host approval.
Search VRBO Now →The Core Difference
Instant Book means your booking is confirmed the moment you complete checkout. You enter your dates, agree to the house rules, submit payment, and you’re done — the stay is locked in, the calendar updates, and you receive a confirmation immediately. No waiting, no host approval needed.
Request to Book means your booking isn’t confirmed until the host reviews and accepts it. You submit a request along with a message to the host, and then wait up to 24 hours for them to respond. If they accept, you’re booked. If they decline — or don’t respond within 24 hours — the request expires and you’re not charged.
| Factor | Instant Book | Request to Book |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation speed | Immediate | Up to 24 hours |
| Host review required | No | Yes |
| Dates held during review | Immediately blocked | On hold during 24-hour window |
| Payment charged | At booking | Only after host accepts |
| Risk of being declined | None | Yes — host can decline |
| Good for last-minute trips | Yes | Risky — could expire |
| Ability to ask questions first | Less natural — you’re already booked | Built into the request process |
How to Spot Each Type When Searching
VRBO makes it fairly easy to tell the two apart once you know what to look for.
Instant Book listings display a small lightning bolt icon (⚡) on the property card in search results. When you open the listing, the primary button reads “Book now.” These properties are also boosted in VRBO’s search rankings and appear across Expedia Group sites, so you’ll often see them higher in results.
Request to Book listings don’t have the lightning bolt. When you open the listing, the button reads “Request to book” instead of “Book now.” You’ll be prompted to send a message to the host as part of submitting your request.
You can also filter your VRBO search specifically for Instant Book properties. On the search results page, select Filters, then look for the Instant Book toggle. Enabling it shows only listings that confirm immediately. If you want to search a specific area, our guide on how to use VRBO map search covers how to combine filters with a geographic search.
Ryan’s Take: I almost always filter for Instant Book when searching VRBO. Waiting 24 hours to hear back from a host while your preferred dates are just on hold — not confirmed — is frustrating, especially when you’re also trying to coordinate flights or other plans. The only time I’d willingly use Request to Book is for a high-value, longer stay where I genuinely want to exchange a few messages with the host before committing. For anything under a week, Instant Book is the way to go.
What Happens When You Submit a Request to Book
If you decide to book a Request to Book property, here’s the exact sequence of events:
- You enter your travel dates, guest count, and any required information.
- You write a message to the host — this is required and is your chance to introduce yourself, ask questions, or explain your trip.
- You submit the request. Your selected dates go on hold, meaning no one else can book them during the review window.
- The host has up to 24 hours to accept or decline. VRBO notifies them immediately by email and through the app.
- If the host accepts: your payment is processed, the booking is confirmed, and you receive a confirmation email.
- If the host declines or doesn’t respond within 24 hours: the request expires, your dates are released, and you are not charged anything.
It’s worth knowing that hosts who respond quickly convert far more bookings than those who wait — VRBO data shows response time is a significant factor. If a host hasn’t responded in 12 hours and your trip is time-sensitive, it’s reasonable to also search for comparable Instant Book properties as a backup. You can also search VRBO by host if you’ve stayed with someone before and want to book with them again directly.
Does Instant Book Mean the Host Can’t Cancel?
No. Instant Book confirms your booking automatically, but hosts can still cancel after the fact if you’ve violated their house rules — for example, if your party size exceeds what’s listed, or if you plan to bring pets to a no-pets property. VRBO’s policy requires hosts to honor confirmed bookings, and host-initiated cancellations carry real penalties: financial fees, ranking drops, and potential loss of Premier Host status. So while it’s possible, it’s not something responsible hosts do lightly.
If a host does cancel your Instant Book reservation after confirmation, VRBO’s Book with Confidence Guarantee kicks in — they’ll work to rebook you in a comparable property or issue a full refund. Before you commit to any booking, it’s also worth understanding the VRBO cancellation policy for guests so you know exactly where you stand if your own plans change.
Filter VRBO search results for Instant Book properties — confirmed immediately, no waiting, no risk of being declined.
Go to VRBO →When Request to Book Actually Makes Sense for Guests
Despite the advantages of Instant Book, there are genuine situations where Request to Book is the right choice:
- You have specific questions that need answering before you commit. If you’re traveling with a large group and need to confirm sleeping arrangements, or you have a question about accessibility, the Request to Book message is a natural place to get those answered before you pay.
- You’re planning a trip that’s weeks away and not in a rush. If you have plenty of lead time, waiting up to 24 hours for approval isn’t a meaningful inconvenience.
- The property is exceptional and there’s no Instant Book alternative. Sometimes the best-suited property for your trip doesn’t have Instant Book enabled. In that case, submitting a thoughtful request message — explaining your trip and group — is the right move.
Ryan’s Take: When I do send a Request to Book, I keep my message short and specific: who we are, why we’re visiting, how many adults, and one genuine question about the property. A one-sentence “looks great, please confirm” is too thin — hosts want to know who’s staying in their home. A three-paragraph biography is too much. Aim for four to six sentences, be friendly, and mention something specific about the listing to show you actually read it.
Understanding the Fees Either Way
Whether you use Instant Book or Request to Book, the same VRBO fee structure applies. As a guest you’ll see a VRBO service fee added at checkout — typically 6–12% of the booking subtotal — plus any host fees the property owner has set, such as cleaning fees or pet fees. Neither booking type gets a discount on fees. Always review the full price breakdown before submitting either a booking or a request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I message a host before booking on an Instant Book property?
Yes. Even on Instant Book properties, you can send a message to the host directly from the listing page before booking. Look for the “Contact host” option. This lets you ask questions without being committed to the booking.
What happens if a host doesn’t respond to my Request to Book?
If the host doesn’t accept or decline within 24 hours, your request expires automatically. The hold on your dates is released, and you are not charged. You’re free to request a different property or find an Instant Book alternative.
Are Instant Book properties safer than Request to Book?
Not inherently. Both booking types are covered by VRBO’s Book with Confidence Guarantee as long as you pay through VRBO’s platform. The key safety factor is that you stay within VRBO’s payment system — not whether the listing uses Instant Book or Request to Book.
Does Instant Book mean the price is fixed?
Yes. When you complete an Instant Book transaction, the price shown at checkout is the price you pay. The host cannot change the rate after your booking is confirmed.
How do I filter VRBO to only show Instant Book properties?
Go to this page on VRBO, enter your destination and dates, then select Filters on the search results page. Toggle on Instant Book. Your results will update to show only properties available for immediate confirmation. For more search tips, see our guide on how to search VRBO by keyword.
Can I book VRBO same day using Instant Book?
Yes — that’s one of Instant Book’s biggest advantages. If the dates are available and the listing has Instant Book enabled, you can book and get confirmed within minutes. See our full guide on same-day VRBO bookings for tips on finding last-minute availability.
How do I find my booking after it’s confirmed?
Once confirmed — whether through Instant Book or Request to Book — your reservation lives in your VRBO account under Trips. If you need to look up a specific booking, see our guide on how to find a VRBO reservation.
Related Articles
- VRBO Service Fee for Guests: What You Actually Pay — How the fee is calculated and when you get it back
- What Is a Host Fee on VRBO? — What the host fee line at checkout actually means
- VRBO Cancellation Policy Explained for Guests — What each policy tier means before you commit
- How to Search VRBO Without Dates — Use VRBO’s flexible dates feature to browse without locking in
- How to Use VRBO Map Search — Find properties in a specific area using the map view
- Can You Book a VRBO Same Day? — Last-minute availability and how Instant Book helps
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