Quality Pays: New Expedia Group Research Finds Travelers Will Spend More on Vacation Rentals They Trust

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Expedia Group’s new ‘Built to Stay’ Report reveals the quality standards and trust signals that matter most to travellers

• 86% of travellers would pay more for a vacation rental with a higher-quality listing, rising to 92% among Gen Z
• 81% would pay more for a property with strong trust signals: verified, recent, and detailed reviews top the list

Today, Expedia Group, parent company to Stayz released the Built to Stay Report: The Keys to Winning Travel Trust in Vacation Rentals. The global study examines what gives vacation rental travellers the confidence to book, offering a practical host playbook on the quality standards and trust signals that ultimately seal the stay.

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Powered by The Harris Poll, the study surveyed more than 1,700 travellers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia who have stayed in a vacation rental within the last year.

As traveller expectations continue to rise, research shows quality is not synonymous with luxury. Instead, findings suggest travellers place greater value on the consistent delivery of the fundamentals. In an increasingly competitive market, mastering the basics can be more important to travellers than offering additional amenities or elaborate in-home experiences.

“We’re intentional about shaping how our platform delivers on quality and trust, but it’s ultimately travellers who define what matters most,” says Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Expedia Group. “With more supply on the market than ever before, differentiation is critical. This research gives partners specific actions on how to deliver quality, drive confidence, and build a better stay.”

Quality commands a premium

Eighty-six percent noted they would pay more for a vacation rental with a higher-quality listing, with that figure climbing to 92% among Gen Z.

Respondents made it overwhelmingly clear that quality is not synonymous with luxury. The strongest quality signals for the property itself are exceptional cleanliness (78%), reliable core amenities including appliances, WiFi, and air-conditioning (78%), and comfortable beds and quality linens (77%), while a host who responds quickly when something goes wrong (79%) and clear, detailed check-in instructions (75%) top the operational list.

Responsiveness specifically carries high expectations, with 56% of those surveyed expecting hosts to respond in an hour or less if something goes wrong during their stay. The report also explicitly examined cleanliness with clear markers led by fresh sheets and towels (74%), no unpleasant odors (67%), and spotless bathroom surfaces (66%).

Trust is the new currency

Quality may catch a traveller’s eye, but proof and third-party validation give them confidence to book. Eighty-one percent of respondents noted they would pay more for a vacation rental with stronger trust signals, rising to 88% among Gen Z.

Reviews sat in the center of the trust equation. Two in three travellers say verified reviews (68%) and overall review score (66%) are very or extremely important. And star ratings aren’t the only signal that ranks supreme with recency of reviews (64%) and detailed written reviews (62%) being very or extremely important.

Pricing can make or break the booking

When travellers narrow their shortlist, the decision gets practical. Price becomes a major factor. The biggest deal breakers are a total price not shown clearly upfront (66%), high or unclear cleaning fees (59%), additional fees for using amenities (49%), and a lack of clear photos of important rooms (48%).

Promotions can also tip the decision the other way. 91% of those surveyed noted they are influenced by promotions or available discounts when booking a vacation rental. These help travellers choose between similar properties (45%), can prompt guests to upgrade to a more expensive property (39%) or extend their stay (38%).

The full Built to StayReport, including guidance on how partners can put the findings into practice on Stayz, is available here.

Methodology

The research was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Expedia Group among 1,758 adults in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia who stayed in a vacation rental in the past 12 months. The survey was fielded April 22-24, 2026.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) is the global travel marketplace with one purpose: to help travellers explore the world, one journey at a time. Expedia Group™ connects travellers, partners, and advertisers through its trusted brands, leading technology, and rich first-party data, delivering predictive, personalised experiences that shape the future of travel.

Expedia Group’s ecosystem includes three flagship consumer brands – Expedia®, Hotels.com®, and Stayz® – the largest B2B travel business, and a premier advertising network. Guided by an experienced and passionate global team, Expedia Group helps millions of travellers in more than 70 countries explore the world with confidence and ease.

© 2026 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia Group and the Expedia Group logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2029030-50.

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