Flipkey For Vacation Rentals?

We have used the TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals platform for booking two apartments, one in Muerren last summer, and one in London:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g188084-d6588573-Chalet_Oberdorf_Murren-Murren_Jungfrau_Region_Bernese_Oberland_Canton_of_Bern.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g186338-d8363557-Stunning_waterside_zone_1_flat_in_historic_wharf_near_Tower_Bridge-London_England.html

Both experiences were great. I had no issues with the booking process or with communication.

These are large apartments (there were six of us both times) so they may not work for you, but I would not hesitate to book with TA Vacation Rentals. I didn't go through FlipKey so cannot comment on that.

Lola, thank you for the information. How did you book directly from Trip Advisor?

On the TripAdvisor Accommodations page for the place you are going, there are choices for lodging: Hotels, Inns/Band B’s, Specialty Lodging and Vacations Rentals. The last is the one I used.

I don't know where you are travelling but a number of countries have excellent local tourist board websites with rental listings - Switzerland, GB, France, Austria and Germany. Some of these rentals are also listed on major sites such as VRBO, and are often cheaper if booked directly with the owner or through the local tourist board website. No deposit required in some cases.

Admittedly, it's a little trickier and more difficult when searching for a rental in a big city. For Rome and the Washington area I used VRBO.

Thanks to both of you. Next winter I'm going to London and Paris. That is the trip I'm focused on now. I've used Airbnb in London and VRBO in Paris a few times. I like the Airbnb model of the landlord not receiving the payment until after arrival and 24 hours at the lodging. The last VRBO apartment I rented in Paris, I sent the landlord a deposit check for $200, which he returned to me upon arrival. At that time I paid cash for the rent. In that situation there wasn't much money at risk, in case I had shown up and the apartment didn't exist or was unacceptable. I've heard more about rental scams, so it makes me a bit nervous.

In fall 2020 I will be traveling through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and eastern France, staying in small towns.

Andrea, is there some reason you don't want to use Air BnB for London again? They do a good job of protecting renters from scams, as long as you keep all communication and payment within the platform. And I have read that they protect renters from homeowners who try to rent out their London property for more than the three months they are allowed under local laws.

With Air BnB I also like to see lots of reviews, very few or no owner cancellations, and preferably Superhost designation.

That London flat I linked above is listed on Air BnB as well as on TripAdvisor.

Lola, the apartment you linked to is lovely. It is bigger than I need for 2 people and not in my preferred area. I did find that the apartment I found that meets my criteria on Flipkey is also on Airbnb. The Airbnb cost (as long as Flipkey doesn't have any hidden costs) is $203 more. The Airbnb listing indicates it has a strict cancellation policy. I've sent a message on Flipkey asking what the cancellation policy is on that site. There are a lot of reviews on both sites. I don't expect to have to cancel, but the end of January is a long way off and one never knows what life will throw their way. This particular apartment is very booked up, almost to when we would be arriving. I do have a 'Plan B' Airbnb apartment in a different, but still good area with flexible cancellation that is also under consideration. I do like using Airbnb, as I feel that there is an extra level of protection for the renter.

Hi Andrea, I wasn't trying to push that apartment, as I know it is larger than you need, and more expensive. I just mentioned it as an example of how many properties are listed on both platforms. You can choose whichever has the better terms and conditions. And check both for reviews!

I usually rent through Homeaway, though I preferred it when it was Homelidays.
No problems at all.
I've had 3 Airbnb apartments, and been pleased.
I rented only once through TripAdvisor, and got the most beautiful apartment I've ever had, in Copenhagen in 2017.
This is over 20 years; and about 18 or so apartments in Italy, Spain, and the UK as well.

Thanks Lola and SJ. I think I'm going to pass on the apartment that was on both Flipkey and Airbnb. It looks like it would be a great place, but there are other places I'm sure are just as good. I've had good luck with all my Airbnb rentals, and I've only had one problem with VRBO/Homeaway, with an apartment in Paris. The place had glowing reviews, but I found very different conditions. When I read a review that was done shortly before I arrived that person had similar problems. The apartment was taken off the rental sites shortly afterward. Otherwise I've been very satisfied with rentals through them. Reading reviews about Flipkey, I wasn't encouraged.