Company Contrast: AirBnB & VRBO

Each week 2ndVote takes a look at popular companies that either score well or score poorly  and then try to provide alternatives that either better align with the 2ndVote values or should be avoided to the best of your ability. This series is called The Company Contrast, and the company we will be focusing on this week is AirBnB (1.00) and VRBO (owned by Expedia – 1.97).

With the end of another school year fast approaching and COVID on its steady downward spiral, everyone is starting to prepare for summer vacation. Finding a place to stay has become a modern trend as hotels are no longer the only options available for those looking to get away. Among the top sites for lodging are AirBNB and VRBO – both offering options from tiny homes to full homes available for short term stays. But how do they stack up when comparing them with our set of standards?

AirBnB has progressively become more and more of an opinionated company with it’s increased support for organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative, the Human Rights Campaign, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)  and Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). For 2022, they scored a 100 on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and who’s surprised with their continued liberal activism on Religious Liberty, Marriage, and Immigration. In a public statement made on their website, AirBNB also supports abortions and “the reproductive rights of women”.

But is VRBO any better? Owned by Expedia, they also scored a 100 on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. They exhibit strong support for the LGBTQ liberal agenda as well as support for the DREAM act, DACA and sanctuary cities with a donation of $1.3 million to the International Rescue Committee. It’s difficult to say which option is better, but we recommend choosing a hotel chain such as Best Western (3.00) or Omni Hotels (3.00) which can provide you with a great stay, without sacrificing your values.