Frequent Questions
You can ask us anything. Use the search box above to find the question you need answers. Just click on the question and the answer will appear. Click again and it disappears. Or you can click on the "Show all" bar below to display all answers.
Q: Is there a deadline for checkout times?
A:
Yes - cleaning rooms, condos, homes and resorts is a big job. It can take hours to make a place spic and span. Housekeepers need to start immediately upon departure. Staying late disrupts the cleaning schedule. Sorry.
Q: When is the latest Vacation Rental insurance can be purchased?
A:
This insurance can be purchased up until the final trip payment is made or 30 days prior to arrival, whichever comes first.
Q: So what are Vacation Rentals?
A:
That's an easy one. Any lodging unit that has a full kitchen & bath, is fully outfitted with linens and towels and usually detached bedrooms is a Vacation Rental Home. These may be apartments, cabins, condos, chalets, houses or villas. In some countries they are called Holiday-lets, Holiday homes, Holiday Villas or Gites (France.)
Q: Are housekeeper tips mandatory in Vacation Rentals?
A:
Tips for housekeepers at lodging accommodations of all kinds have become the sign of considerate Guests and just plain good manners. Due to their square footage and amenities, housekeeping at Vacation Rentals is back-breaking work. Considerate Guests will leave a tip of five to ten percent of the total rent. Far less than at a restaurant, but housekeepers work far harder.
Q: How & when are deep cleans done?
A:
Whether a unit receives daily cleaning or out cleans, it is necessary once or twice a year (Depending on occupancy) to perform a deep clean of the property. This includes tasks which are too time consuming to complete between Guests such as opening all light fixtures to be dusted, cleaning oven and range filters, washing walls, removing everything from cupboards to wash them thoroughly - and much more. Guests demand "Hospitality" level cleaning which is actually a higher standard than most of us maintain daily in our primary homes. Owners too appreciate visiting their second homes to find them in great condition and nicely clean.
Q: Why must I book a full week at some times of the year?
A:
During the busy seasons, it can become disruptive to have lots of guests coming and going every few days, so we do require you to book long stays at some times of the year. Plus Guests seem to enjoy staying longer and settling in.
Q: When I book for a week, do I have to arrive on a certain day?
A:
To make sure we can thoroughly clean and prepare a property for arrival, we do ask that weekly bookings arrive on a certain day of the week. Usually it’s a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Q: Are vacation rentals timeshares?
A:
No. Properties in our network are primarily owned by private parties and families. We do not sell timeshares or promote timeshare presentations. No mandatory sales pitches.
Q: How do I purchase a Travel Insurance Plan?
A:
You can purchase a Vacation Rental Insurance plan directly through your vacation rental company.
Q: I've lost my logon or password. What do I do?
A:
No problem. Just go to the Login Page of our website. Look for the "Forgot your Password" link. Or you can call us during business hours.
Q: Will a Vacation Rental Insurance plan refund my booking fees?
A:
Yes. You can insure any service fees charged up front and invoiced by your reservation company. The costs will be reimbursed if your trip is canceled for a covered reason.