Insight
For Airbnb bookings, Airbnb is the merchant of record, controlling funds and appearing on guest statements. For Vrbo, Booking.com, and direct bookings, the host/property manager is the merchant of record.
Merchant of Record for Vacation Rentals: What It Means and How to Become Your Own
Summary
Understanding the 'merchant of record' (MoR) is crucial for STR hosts. While Airbnb acts as MoR, Vrbo, Booking.com, and direct bookings make you the MoR, granting control over cash flow, refunds, and deposits in exchange for financial responsibility. Reconciling payouts is a key challenge.
Key takeaway