List Property on Expedia—a Guide for Hosts

For a long time, Expedia has been perceived as a marketplace for hotels, flights, and car rentals, but it has evolved, and now it also works as a platform for listing vacation rental properties. Since Expedia is a leading online travel agency with a global reach, it can be a good platform to list your STR property to increase visibility and secure more bookings.

In this blog post, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to list your property on Expedia, discuss the benefits of including this booking site in your channel distribution strategy, and share some tips on how to make the most of your listing.

Why List Property on Expedia

If you own a vacation rental property, listing it on multiple platforms is an effective strategy that can help you diversify your audience, boost your occupancy rate, and increase your revenue. This way, you’ll be able to build a sustainable STR business.

Managing listings on multiple sites won’t be a problem if you streamline your operations using vacation rental software like Hospitable. As a vacation channel manager, Hospitable has native integrations with major booking platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, Google Travel, Agoda, and Booking.com.

Expedia is one of the world’s biggest online travel agencies, and it operates globally. It provides travelers with a full-service platform where they can search and book accommodations, flights, cruises, vacation packages, activities, and rental cars all in one place.

So, listing your property on this OTA platform will allow you to reach potential guests from around the world interested in staying at your vacation rental. You’ll be able to target different types of guests, for example, last-minute bookers and those who book earlier. You’ll also be able to reach international travelers and travelers who tend to purchase package vacations, which means they book longer stays and cancel less often.

Expedia is a member of Expedia Group, which owns and operates an extensive portfolio of well-known travel brands. Its flagship brands are Expedia (the full-service travel brand), Hotels.com (focused lodging marketer), and Vrbo (the whole homes vacation rental brand). In addition to the primary US market, these three brands also have localized websites worldwide.

One of the benefits of Expedia is that when you add a listing on one channel, it gets listed on multiple major channels and international channels in major global markets. So, if you list your property on Expedia, it will be shown across an array of targeted websites, and you’ll be able to reach millions of vacationers planning their next holiday.

Moreover, Expedia invests heavily in marketing and advertising to promote its platform and drive traffic to its websites to increase the visibility of the listed properties. It also provides various tools and services to help property owners manage bookings.

How to List Your Property on Expedia

Expedia has two separate platforms for travelers and property owners. You can list your property on Expedia if you visit Expedia Partner Central. This platform allows property owners to manage their listings, update their availability and prices, and access different tools and resources that can help them optimize their performance.

On Expedia Partner Central, you will need to choose what you would like to list: lodging or private residence. If you select the Private Residence option, you’ll be redirected to the Vrbo website to complete the process.

It will take a few minutes to create an account to list your vacation rental on Vrbo. You just need to follow the on-screen prompts to enter your basic property details (the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and the address) to see its earning potential, as well as your contact details and the password to sign up.

Then, you need to set up your listing by filling out a detailed form to describe your property, the amenities you offer, and your policies. You’ll need to include

• Property type
• Listing headline and description
• Maximum occupancy (the number of people your property accommodates)
• Details about rooms, layout, bed size, etc.
• A list of available amenities—from Wi-Fi to swimming pool
• Rates by season and length of stay
• Photos of rooms, common spaces, and amenities
• A list of fees, deposits, and policies (cancellations, refunds, and any restrictions)
• The dates you’re available to welcome guests

According to Expedia, the information you enter will be saved automatically, so if you don’t have all the answers, it’s easy to come back and add the necessary details. It’s important to remember that Vrbo is part of the Expedia Group. So, if you enable Instant Booking on your Vrbo listing, your property will also appear in searches on Expedia.com and some other sites owned by Expedia Group. You won’t need to create any new accounts.

Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com are major players in the vacation rental markets, so you’ll get most of your bookings from your listings on these platforms and your direct booking website. However, listing your property on Expedia effectively extends your reach to more prospective guests.

Hospitable can help you manage bookings on Expedia and many other niche channels with iCal imports. This functionality allows you to seamlessly sync calendars across various booking platforms and avoid double bookings.

Watch the video to learn how iCal imports work.

You can find more guidance in our help article.

How to Make the Most of Your Listing

Listing your vacation rental on Expedia Group websites will increase your property exposure, allowing you to reach different types of travelers, but it doesn’t guarantee bookings. You will need to put in some work to rank higher search results and attract potential guests.

Add high-quality photos

Photos are the first thing potential guests pay attention to when they review the listings in search results. So, it makes sense to invest in professional photography to ensure that your listing photos are perfect and put your property in the best possible light. Include photos of every room in your home and outdoor area, highlighting unique features and amenities your rental space offers.

Encourage guest reviews

Reviews and ratings are critical on OTAs, and your score will largely define your reputation and success on any booking platform. Excellent reviews can significantly impact travelers’ decision to book your vacation rental and improve your listing’s ranking in search results. So, do your best to ensure your guests are happy with their stay and encourage them to leave you a review.

Reply to good or bad reviews to show that you appreciate your guests’ feedback. Consider negative reviews a chance to improve and grow, and use your reply to show that you take your STR business seriously.

Think beyond basic amenities

Guests expect basic amenities like toiletries, microwave, or Wi-Fi, but thinking beyond these amenities can help set your listing apart. Consider offering unique extras like a welcome basket to make your guests feel special and enhance their experience. You can also offer your guests additional services for a fee. Early check-ins, late checkouts, mid-stay cleaning, and kid-friendly amenities are some examples of guest services that can help enhance your guests’ stay while increasing your revenue.