Do Airbnb and Vrbo Earn a Travel Rewards Bonus?
This guide explains how Airbnb and Vrbo code and how to earn the most on them.
How vacation rentals code
Airbnb, Vrbo, and other vacation-rental sites are generally coded as travel, so a card that bonuses travel earns its elevated rate when you pay for a stay. For most travel cards, a vacation rental earns just like a hotel booking would, which makes these platforms a solid place to use your travel card.
Where it can vary
Coverage is broad but not universal. Some cards explicitly list home-sharing platforms in their travel definition, while a few narrower travel categories might not, so an unusual card could pay only the base rate. If your card defines travel tightly, confirm that vacation rentals are included before counting on the bonus, the same care you would take with any category coding.
How to earn the most
Pay for Airbnb and Vrbo with your best travel card to earn the travel bonus, and remember you can also redeem points against these bookings, covered in using points for vacation rentals. For extra earning, check whether an issuer or airline shopping portal offers bonus rewards on the platform, which stacks on top of your card rewards.