Vrbo is teaming up with WeatherPromise, allowing guests to receive compensation in the event of inclement weather.
U.S. travelers will now see the option to add WeatherPromise to “select reservations” through Expedia Group-owned Vrbo. When added, WeatherPromise tracks the destination's weather during the trip, and in the event rain exceeds a preset threshold, travelers automatically receive a refund without having to file a claim.
The company said its model differs from traditional travel insurance as travelers can still go on the trip and receive compensation if the weather meets certain criteria.
“At Vrbo, our booking experiences are designed to help travelers find the perfect stay for their trip and give them the confidence to book. Now, we’re taking that commitment a step further,” said Larry Plawsky, general manager for Vrbo.
“We can’t control the weather, but with WeatherPromise, guests can get a full payout for their vacation when the forecast doesn’t go as planned.”
According to WeatherPromise, the “rainfall threshold” is determined based on analyses of historic rainfall trends for specific destinations and dates. The definition of a rainy day is unique to each booking and destination, based on the number of hours of rain above a certain intensity.
Madeline List, manager of research and special projects at Phocuswright, said the Vrbo-WeatherPromise partnership reflects a known area of concern for operators who deal with guest frustration amid inclement weather.
“This ancillary could offer guests more flexibility around their vacations without pressuring hosts to handle complicated requests for refunds or postponements when the weather is unfavorable. It could also help act as a differentiator for Vrbo, which has long been overshadowed by Airbnb in terms of consumer awareness in the STR category,” List told PhocusWire.
“Of course, the final test of any ancillary will be the actual attachment rates. The need is there, but the pricing and promise have to be appealing enough to guests to encourage them to book with insurance.”
WeatherPromise also announced a separate promotion with Jamaica Tourism and JetBlue to offer a weather-guarantee promo. Starting March 1, all Jamaica packages will include free WeatherPromise rain coverage. The promo will run for three months. WeatherPromise first announced its partnership with JetBlue in February 2025.
Last month, the startup raised $12.8 million in a Series A round led by Maveron. WeatherPromise said the capital would be used for product development, scaling its platform and expanding strategic partnerships.