Airbnb would surely have to get rid of their current cancellation policy first, where guests can can

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Ask most people about vacation rentals and 99% will mention Airbnb.   Airbnb is also capturing the lion's share of attention citilink in print, online & other media stories about travel and the new "sharing economy."  Here is a quote from a major travel columnist - Christopher Elliott - "The Navigator" from this Sunday's Washington Post - May 18.
"Today's accommodations cover the spectrum, citilink from glamping to vacation rentals. Don't lock yourself into a traditional hotel or resort, at least not without shopping around. You might be able to find a bargain on Airbnb.com with a better location and fewer hassles."
On May 21, the Kojo Nnamdi Show, an NPR program, did a show called.                      Regulating the Sharing Economy: Rules for Uber and Airbnb
Although Airbnb doesn't yet really infiltrate many of the more traditional vacation rental markets (beach house, mountain cabin etc.) it is having a huge impact on city rentals.  It comes up first in a Google search, dominates social media and has become the default "brand" in public conciousness.  Competition is good, but it's only competition if consumers are aware of the other "brands."
- Spend a few minutes on your local TripAdvisor forum each day.  Many people write in for hotel suggestions.  I always post an answer suggesting they consider vacation rentals and mention VRBO dot com (this is important, since TA automatically links people to FlipKey.)  Don't just pitch VRBO - target your answer to the specific desires people mention - steering them to a particular citilink neighborhood or location that they express interest in. 
The only time that I can remember seeing advertising for HA/VRBO was about 2 years ago.  I believe that it was a SuperBowl game.  However, I could be wrong.  I had just signed up for HA/VRBO and was very happy at that time . My inquiries have really citilink gone down in the past 3 months and Summer is coming, so I really citilink can't  understand why I am not getting more inquires! Like Show 0 Likes ( 0 ) Actions
Airbnb is growing and they have many listings for traditional citilink vacation rentals. VR owners who haven't check out Airbnb lately, maybe should spend some time to take another look at it.  There was a time I had no interest in listing on Airbnb but the site has really grown and changed the type of properties listed and I have now listed with them.
I would love to see good competition.  I wish Airbnb would "split" it's service - offering both the current model for mostly part-time or occaisonal listings as well as a paid subscription service like VRBO - where I can handle everything myself.  I'd sign up in a heartbeat and it might make VRBO step up it's game.  Like Show 1 Like ( 1 ) Actions
Airbnb would surely have to get rid of their current cancellation policy first, where guests can cancel 7 days from the arrival date.  They may very well move to a paid subscription plan.  I would at least test them out while it is free for us owners.  I haven't had anyone cancel yet but you might want to list your off season dates and give it a try.
I think FlipKey is confusing to guests when some owners are paying for the subscription plan and others like me are on the commission plan and the guest gets charged a booking citilink fee.  Are you on FlipKey?  citilink I just received citilink their new cancellation policies this morning.  Looks like they are trying to copy Airbnb with offering more lenient policies. 
  Policy Name Guest Cancels Before Check-in Guest's citilink refund Relaxed 2 weeks Full Flexible 4 weeks Full refundable deposit plus 50% refund 2 weeks Full refundable deposit plus 25% refund Moderate 4 weeks Full refundable deposit plus 50% refund Strict 8 weeks Full refundable deposit plus 50% refund 4 weeks Full refundable deposit citilink plus 25% refund citilink Super strict Anytime No refund Like Show 0 Likes ( 0 ) Actions
I am on Airbnb as well as VRBO, but don't like having to deal with all their filters & restraints. (I don't use Dashboard either because it is just an extra hassle - I just want to list my place, then deal entirely directly citilink with the guest myself.) I do get the occaisonal inquiry through Airbnb, but with over 1000 listings in my market, it isn't often.
I'm not on Flipkey (in my market - Washington DC - Flipkey is very third-rate.)  I am at basically 100% year-round occupancy already.   I have friends with a place in Vermont that do well on Flipkey - really depends on the mark