How Vacay Direct™ works
From listing to check-in — nine steps.
Owners post unused weeks, renters connect directly, and you pick the payment path that fits the booking. We never touch your rental money.
Owner posts their vacation week
Pay a flat $21.99 to list a deeded week, points-based stay, or floating week. Listing stays live for 9 months — or until the week is rented.
Vacay Direct verifies the reservation
We confirm the listing matches a real, owner-held reservation at the resort. Verified listings get a badge so renters can spot legitimate inventory.
Renter finds a listing they like
Renter signs in and unlocks the owner's contact info (email, optional phone). A daily reveal limit keeps the platform free of scraping and spam.
Owner and renter agree on price and payment structure
Negotiate directly by email or phone. Pick a path: 100% direct (cheapest), hybrid 15% deposit + 85% escrow (balanced), or 100% Trustap escrow (full protection, short-lead bookings only).
Renter pays the deposit, owner acknowledges
Renter sends the agreed deposit by Venmo, Zelle, check, or ACH. Owner confirms receipt via a one-click email link — that step locks in the agreed total on the booking record.
Owner updates the reservation
Owner contacts the resort and updates the guest name on the reservation to the renter's check-in details. Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, etc. all support this for member-held weeks.
Owner sends the updated confirmation
Owner forwards the updated reservation confirmation to the renter — and to Vacay Direct, which keeps a record on file.
Balance is paid per the agreement
Direct deals: renter sends the balance straight to the owner. Hybrid or full-escrow: renter pays the balance into Trustap, where it's held until check-in.
Final release
Direct deals are complete on payment. Escrow funds release to the owner 2–3 days after the renter checks in (or earlier if both sides confirm handover).