homeaway

HomeAway: Your Perfect Vacation Rental Awaits!

HomeAway is an online marketplace offering vacation rentals that make you feel at home even when you're miles away. It features an expansive selection of rental properties, including beach houses, cabins, and condos, across the globe. With HomeAway, you can rent a whole house for half the price of a hotel, and experience a cozy, personalized stay in your dream destination. Discover the freedom of travelling with comfort and space, all at your own pace.

Brand HomeAway
Type of Service Vacation Rental Marketplace
Founded 2005
Headquarters Austin, Texas, United States
Area Served Worldwide
Parent Expedia Group (since 2015)
Website www.homeaway.com
Number of Listings 2 Million+ (as of 2019)
Key People Brian Sharples (Co-Founder), Carl Shepherd (Co-Founder)
Operating Languages 23
Operating Currencies 35
Number of Employees 2,000+ (as of 2018)
Business Model Commission based
Platform Web, Android, iOS
Services Online accommodation bookings, property listings
Competitors Airbnb, Booking.com, Tripadvisor
Subsidiaries VRBO, VacationRentals.com, Abritel, FeWo-direkt
Trust and Safety Measures Secure Payment, Property Damage Protection, Liability Insurance
Target Audience Travelers, Property Owners, Property Managers
Availability More than 190 countries
Customer Support 24/7
Cancellation Policy Varies (set by property owner)
How HomeAway Learned the Real Impact of Display MediaHow to List Your Property on HomeAway – the Complete Guide : Wheelhouse BlogVrbo | Book your vacation rentals: beach houses, cabins, condos & moreTrivago Looks to HomeAway Vacation Rentals to Regain Some MojoExpedia Buys HomeAway for $3.9 Billion

    Wide Range of Options

    HomeAway offers a vast selection of rental properties, from apartments and condos to houses and villas. Whether you're traveling solo or as part of a large group, you're likely to find a property that fits your needs perfectly. Read more

    Quality Assurance

    All listed properties on HomeAway go through a strict vetting process. This ensures that you always get a place that's clean, safe, and as described in the listing. You can trust the quality of the accommodations you book on HomeAway. Read more

    User-Friendly Platform

    The HomeAway platform is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for you to browse, search, and book properties. Its advanced search filters allow you to narrow down your options based on your specific needs, such as location, price range, property type, and more. Read more

    Secure Payments

    HomeAway uses a secure payment system that protects your financial information. You can book with confidence knowing that your transactions are safe. Read more homeaway

    HomeAway App

    With the HomeAway mobile app, you can search and book properties on the go, manage your reservations, and communicate with property owners. It's a handy tool for hassle-free travel planning. Read more

    24/7 Customer Support

    HomeAway offers round-the-clock customer support, providing you with assistance whenever you need it. Whether it's a question about a property or a concern about your booking, its dedicated customer service team is there to help. Read more

    Traveler Reviews

    HomeAway features real reviews from past travelers, giving you honest insights about the properties. These reviews can help guide your decision and ensure that you choose the right accommodation for your trip. Read more

    Property Owner Interaction

    HomeAway allows you to communicate directly with property owners. This can be particularly useful for getting more details about a property, negotiating prices, or addressing any special needs or requests you may have. Read more homeaway

    Flexible Cancellation Policies

    Many properties on HomeAway offer flexible cancellation policies, providing you with peace of mind when planning your trip. Always check the cancellation policy of a property before booking. Read more

    HomeAway Rewards Program

    With its rewards program, HomeAway allows you to earn points for every booking you make. These points can be redeemed for future stays, giving you even more value for your money. Read more

    Facts

    1. The Beginning of HomeAway: HomeAway was born in 2005 out of a simple idea: to revolutionize the holiday rental industry by making it easy for homeowners to rent their properties and for travelers to find and book these unique accommodations. The idea turned into a successful global brand, which now operates in over 190 countries.
    2. An Impressive Portfolio: HomeAway has an impressive portfolio of more than 2 million unique places to stay, from cozy cabins in the mountains to luxurious villas on tropical islands. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, you can find the perfect accommodation on HomeAway.
    3. Acquisition by Expedia: In 2015, Expedia, one of the world's leading travel companies, recognized the potential of HomeAway and acquired it for a whopping $3.9 billion. The acquisition has allowed HomeAway to expand its services and reach more travelers around the world.
    4. Innovative Technology: HomeAway uses innovative technology to connect homeowners and travelers. The platform's user-friendly website and mobile app enable homeowners to list their properties easily and travelers to search and book their ideal vacation rentals conveniently.
    5. Secure Payments: HomeAway ensures secure payments by using trusted payment processors. The platform also offers a Book with Confidence Guarantee that offers comprehensive payment protection, 24/7 customer service, and rebooking assistance for travelers.
    6. HomeAway's Impact on Local Economies: HomeAway not only helps homeowners earn extra income, but it also contributes to local economies. When travelers book vacation rentals, they often spend money on local goods and services, which boosts local economies.
    7. The Environmental Aspect: By promoting the use of existing properties for vacation rentals, HomeAway indirectly contributes to environmental sustainability. Unlike hotels, which often require new construction and large amounts of resources, vacation rentals make efficient use of existing homes.
    8. HomeAway's Community: HomeAway has built a vibrant community of homeowners and travelers. The platform encourages users to leave reviews and ratings, which helps maintain a high standard of quality and transparency.
    9. The VRBO Connection: HomeAway owns several other vacation rental brands, including VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). This allows HomeAway to offer an even wider range of accommodations to travelers.
    10. HomeAway's Future: With its innovative approach to vacation rentals, secure payment system, and global reach, HomeAway is set to continue its growth in the coming years. The brand's commitment to creating the best travel experiences shows that the future of vacation rentals is bright with HomeAway.

    Vocabulary

    HomeAway – An online marketplace for vacation rentals.

    Vacation Rentals – Properties rented out to travelers for short-term stays.

    Property Listings – Individual entries of properties available for rent.

    Booking – The process of reserving a rental property for a certain period.

    Host – The owner of the property listed on HomeAway.

    Guest – The individual or group that books and stays in the property.

    Review System – A feature allowing guests and hosts to rate and review each other.

    Cancellation Policy – The terms that dictate if and how a booking can be cancelled.

    Cleaning Fee – An additional charge for the cleaning of the property after the guest's stay.

    Security Deposit – A refundable amount paid to cover any potential damages to the property.

    Availability Calendar – A feature showing the dates the property is available for booking.

    Instant Booking – A feature allowing guests to book properties immediately without host approval.

    Superhost – A status awarded to hosts who provide exceptional service consistently.

    Nightly Rate – The cost per night to rent a property.

    Check-In / Check-Out – The times a guest can arrive and must depart from the property.

    Property Description – Detailed information about the property including amenities, location, and rules.

    Search Filters – Tools to narrow down property listings based on criteria like location, price, and amenities.

    Guest Capacity – The maximum number of guests a property can accommodate.

    Booking Confirmation – A document or message confirming the details of a guest's booking.

    Payment Methods – The various ways guests can pay for their bookings.

    Customer Support – Assistance provided by HomeAway to hosts and guests.

    Host Guarantee – A program providing protection to hosts for damages caused by guests.

    Location Ratings – A rating system for the location of the property.

    Service Fee – An additional fee charged by HomeAway for its services.

    Long-Term Rentals – Properties available for rent for longer periods, usually a month or more.

    Property Images – Photos provided by the host to showcase the property.

    Guest Communications – The exchange of messages between the host and guest.

    Traveler Account – A user account for guests to manage their bookings on HomeAway.

    Property Manager – A professional hired by the host to manage their rental property.

    Reservation Request – A formal request sent by the guest to the host to book the property.

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