One in three Americans who will take a summer vacation haven't started planning yet

HomeAway hacks offered for the millions who want to travel but haven’t booked

AUSTIN, Texas - May 22, 2018 – As summer approaches, a new study reveals that more than a third (36 percent) of Americans who intend to take a summer vacation haven’t even started planning yet. HomeAway® commissioned the survey of 1,004 adults, which showed a split between planners and procrastinators. About one in three Americans (35 percent) who plan to travel are booked and ready to go, and 29 percent have started planning but haven’t booked.

“The research shows there are millions of people out there who want to get away but haven’t figured out where or when. Let’s get going!” said Melanie Fish, family travel expert at HomeAway. “Americans are doing a better job of using their vacation time than in the past but have a way to go in taking advantage of summer when school is out and the beach is calling. Fortunately, since there are more than two million places to stay on HomeAway.com, there is still availability even in the most popular beach destinations.”

HomeAway — the website where you can find beach houses, cabins, condos and even treehouses to rent — offers hacks for travelers who need help getting started:

For last-minute planners, filter the available properties on HomeAway.com to see only places offering instant confirmation. The experience is more like booking a hotel, with no wait for an owner to approve the request. HomeAway hack: Narrow your search even more by scrolling to properties that have the premier partner badge on them. That means the owner has a track record of providing quick, good customer service.

For planners on the move, use the HomeAway app to browse while waiting in the carpool line or for a conference call to start. HomeAway hack: Keep track of the properties you like by “hearting” them, and text or email links immediately to fellow travelers for quick decision making.

For those who waited too long to snag a spot in a super popular area, expand the search. If the house right on the beach is no longer available, move the map to see the closest available places. HomeAway hack: The HomeAway app lets you draw a circle with your finger on a map and will create a list of available properties in that area.

For first-time renters, make sure to book through a reputable site, whether it’s HomeAway.com or VRBO.com. Paying through the site activates protections and gives access to 24/7 customer service. HomeAway hack: If renters have a complaint about the vacation home when they arrive, they should contact the property manager immediately. If the owner or property manager doesn’t fix the problem, renters should call HomeAway customer service before spending any time in the house.

About the Study Findings are from an Ipsos poll conducted May 11 – 14, 2018, on behalf of HomeAway. For the survey, 1,004 adults ages 18 and older from the U.S. were interviewed online, in English. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of ±3.5 percentage points for all respondents surveyed.

In May 2019, the name of Expedia Group’s alternative accommodations business changed from HomeAway to Vrbo.

About HomeAway HomeAway, based in Austin, Texas, is a leading online marketplace for the vacation rental industry with sites representing more than two million unique places to stay in 190 countries, and is a part of the Expedia Group family of brands. For more information about HomeAway, please visit www.homeaway.com.