Now that you know how HomeAway works, and have read our review of HomeAway, you’re probably wondering how to actually book a stay with a property owner.
DISCLAIMER
Just a heads-up that some of the services we’re reviewing here have affiliate partnerships with us, so we may earn a commission if you visit one of them and buy something. You can read more about how this works at https://techboomers.com/how-to-support-techboomers.
In this article we’ll explain how to book with HomeAway, assuming you have already signed up for an account.
To Book on HomeAway:
- Visit www.homeaway.com in your web browser.
- Use the search bar to identify your travel needs.
- View the listings and choose one by clicking on it.
- Click on the Request to Book button.
- Enter your personal information and click Continue to Payment.
- Enter your credit card information and click Submit Request.
You now must wait to be approved by the property owner. You will be notified by email if you have been approved, and from there, you can communicate with the property owner at your own discretion.
If you’re looking for a little more detail about how the booking process works, check out our step-by-step guide (with pictures) below:
Step-by-step instructions on how to book with HomAaway
1. Visit the HomeAway website
Open your web browser and go to www.homeaway.com.
2. Sign in to your account
In the top-right corner, click the Log In button. Then click Traveler Login from the drop-down menu.
Click the highlighted boxes and use your keyboard to type in your email address and password. Then click Sign In. You can also click Sign in with Facebook if you would like HomeAway to link to your Facebook account.
You are now signed in, and ready to book a rental property for your vacation.
3. Use the search bar to identify your destination, travel dates, and party size
You will automatically be taken back to the home page. From here, use the search bar to identify your basic travel needs. Click in the first highlighted box and type where you want to go. Then click each calendar box to select your arrival and departure dates. Finally, click the Guests drop-down menu to select your party size. Then click Search.
Remember that when selecting your party size, HomeAway will always give you the option of that number, with a + symbol. This means you will be shown any properties that can facilitate at least that many people. So when looking at the listings, be sure to check what the party size of the property actually is. That way, you can avoid paying a lot of money for something that is intended to be split between 6 people, when you’re only looking for a cozy one-bedroom suite.
4. Filter through the available listings
Once you have begun your search, HomeAway will take you to a page with all of the listings that meet your search criteria. At any time, you can scroll through these results, and click the blue arrow at the bottom to load more. Click on the name of any listing to view it in detail.
At the top of your screen, you can always filter your search results, which will help you narrow down listings from the original search criteria. Scroll to the top of the screen, and click any of the drop-down menus to narrow your search. Choose from Price, Party Size, Number of Bedrooms, Booking Type, and More Filters, which includes over 50 additional options to choose from. At any time, click the Clear Filters button to start the search over.
At the top of your results, you can choose from various sorting options, including Price, Rating, Last Updated, and more; simply click on an option to change the way the results are sorted.
5. Choose a listing and view it in detail
Click on any listing name to view it in detail. Click on any category at the top to view more information, such as the rating and reviews, a map, rates, availability, and amenities. Scroll through available pictures by clicking the arrows beside the image.
Scroll down to see basic information quickly, and read more about the listing description and property manager. If you continue scrolling, you will move through all of the categories that you can quickly jump to from the top. All of the available information about this listing can be found on this page.
6. Request a booking
On the right side of this screen, a white box will follow you as you scroll. This box is what allows you to book when you have found the right property. First, ensure the dates and party size are correct, as HomeAway will automatically fill these in based on your original search. You can also easily review the average price. Then click the orange Request to Book button.
You can also click Send a Message to communicate with the property owner. Use this if you aren’t quite sure you want to book at this point, or you want to learn more about the property.
7. Enter your personal and credit card information
On the next page, you need to fill in some information about yourself, for the benefit of the property owner. Click the highlighted boxes to enter your first and last name, and your phone number. You also have the option of messaging the property owner, which is likely to increase your chances of them accepting you as a guest. Click in the highlighted box under “Message to Manager”, and use your keyboard to type a message.
After you have entered your information, scroll down and review the terms and policies of the rental agreement specific to this property. Click the check box to agree to these terms, and then click Continue to Payment.
On the next page, you must enter your payment information. Click each highlighted box, and enter your credit card number, expiry date, and security code, along with your billing address. At the bottom of the page, click Notify Manager.
8. Wait for a confirmation of your stay
This does not mean you have booked the property, but you have requested to book it from the owner. They have 24 hours to confirm or decline your reservation.
Wait for a response by email to see if you have been accepted by the owner. You can see your upcoming or past reservations by clicking on your name on the HomeAway home page, and then clicking on My Trips from the drop-down menu.
That’s our run-down of how to book a vacation with HomeAway. If you’re not quite sure HomeAway is the right website for you, consider reading our article on the best eight websites like HomeAway to see if there’s something better out there for you.
