Key Takeaways
- Vrbo vacation rentals will be bookable inside Uber’s app later in 2026 through Expedia’s B2B distribution network.
- Properties enrolled in Vrbo’s Expanded Distribution program gain exposure automatically with no additional operator action required.
- The partnership places Vrbo inventory in front of Uber’s 100 million annual airport riders without traditional OTA search intent.
Travelers will soon be given the option to book Vrbo vacation rentals inside the Uber app.
The partnership, made via Vrbo’s parent company, the Expedia Group, will put rental listings in front of Uber’s massive user base — which includes more than 100 million people who use the app for rides annually — without requiring operators to lift a finger,
Vrbo’s Expanded Distribution program automatically enrolls qualifying properties into partner channels, with no additional action required from operators whose listings already meet eligibility thresholds.
The entire booking flow will take place inside Uber, with no redirect to an external platform, it was announced at Uber’s annual GO–GET product event in New York last month.
“Travel should feel effortless, and this partnership gets us one step closer to offering a seamless traveler experience,” said Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin said in a press release.
“By connecting our two-sided marketplace with Uber, we’re bringing Uber rides directly into the Expedia app and Expedia Group’s lodging inventory into the Uber app through our Rapid API technology. Together, we’re helping travelers spend less time planning and more time enjoying the journey,” Gorin added.
How Expedia’s distribution strategy differs from Airbnb’s approach
The move puts Expedia on a collision course with Airbnb’s strategy, which focuses on pulling services like rideshare into its own ecosystem.
According to a Rental Scale-Up analysis, Expedia pushes Vrbo listings into platforms where users already spend significant time — a ride, a food order, a banking session.
Expedia’s B2B infrastructure already distributes Vrbo supply through Revolut, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.
Related: Expedia Reports Strong Q1 Growth as B2B Travel Business Surges
The partnership planned to launch with more than 700,000 hotel properties first, with Vrbo rentals added later this year.
It’s important to note that the deal runs both ways. Uber rides will also appear inside the Expedia app.
Operators already enrolled in Vrbo’s Expanded Distribution will see their properties surfaced to Uber users at no additional cost, turning rideshare sessions into potential booking opportunities.
