Hi All,

I see some great inputs, ideas in the forums here so I thought I would ask for your suggestions. We'll be traveling later this year to Paris / Rome, northern Italy and then Switzerland. We've already booked the following apartments on VRBO in Paris for 5 nights:
http://www.vrbo.com/276072
and then in Rome for 5 nights:
http://www.vrbo.com/257250

The latter apartment has asked for 1 night deposit via CC and then cash in Euros on arrival for the 4 remaining nights. The former (in Paris) has accepted CC for deposit and will also accept payment via CC upon arrival. However they have a statement in the agreement something to the effect that full payment 30 days before arrival will guarantee the booking.

I'm certainly not a believer in full payment (even via CC) 30 days before arrival and I wonder about the cash in Rome. Any comments, ideas, suggestions?

Thanks,
John

Paying cash in full upon arrival is a typical request for apartment rentals in Italy.

Hi ellenem, yes the cash on arrival seems just fine although I guess we need to maybe bring the Euros with us or go to the ATMs several times to get enough.

We've rented apartments in Paris twice now - both times we had to make full payment at least 30 days before arrival.
No problems either time, and would happily do this again. At least I can feel confident that my reservation is secure! Di

You are lucky - I've <b>usually</b> had to be paid up in full 60 days before arriving. The times I was allowed to pay the balance in cash upon arrival actually seemed like more trouble (coming up w/ 700E on your first day in Europe CAN be a challenge).

Most places, not just Italy, ask for full payment at least 30 days before arrival, it's normal.

Very normal, it's sometims a problem with folks who want to rent vacation apts but with terms like a hotel, as most want payment in full in advance.

I don't understand what is to wonder about cash payment on arrival. What else do you expect, small landlords aren't set up to take credit cards.

Hi Christina,

As I mentioned, the Rome apartment already took a credit card, so in fact they are set up to take a card. I'm ok with giving them cash but would prefer the protections offered by using the CC as well as the ease.

We have been renting apartments for years and usually pay the full amount 30 days before arrival. This is not unusual as the owners also are trying to protect themselves as they don't really know who you are any more than you know who they are. Sometimes when we repeat a rental we will pay in euros when we arrive over a couple of days since we can only draw a certain amount from the ATM. You are aware that this apartment is in the 15th arrondisement not in the 7th as it is represented on VRBO. The owner/propertymanager's own website states that it is in the 15th. Hope this helps.

Mrs. Laidback

We rented an appartment in rome fro vrbo and they asked for a deposit a few months prior to our stay and full payment in cash upon arrival.