5 min article

Travel policy

Individual sellers, travel providers and licensed travel agents can list travel services or vacation packages following our guidelines.

Many travel services, including flights and hotel, spa, and resort stays, can be listed on eBay. The type of travel service a seller can list depends on whether they're a travel provider, a licensed travel agent or an individual who's listing their own lodging.

What is the policy?

​The following travel items can't be listed on eBay:

  • Choices of lodging locations, airlines, cruise line or cruise points of departure or destination
  • Third party travel certificates and documents not issued directly by a provider of travel, but by travel wholesalers, consolidators or other intermediary travel sellers. These certificates generally offer the holder free or low-cost travel services with a choice of destination, hotel, resort, cruise line or airline
  • Travel club memberships
  • Resale of travel-related incentives such as awards, coupons, upgrades, etc. that are subject to cancellation by the travel provider if resold

The types of travel-related items you can list depend on whether you are an actual travel provider, a licensed travel agent, or an individual seller listing your own lodging. Each type of seller has certain rules and regulations that need to be followed when listing an item.

Seller requirements – Individual sellers

Individual sellers can rent out their own lodging, such as a timeshare, condo, apartment or home.  

  • Sellers must list in the correct category: Travel > Lodging
  • Upon request, sellers may be required to provide documentation with proof of their ownership rights. Accepted documents to prove ownership rights are::
    • Deed
    • Maintenance fee statement
    • Utility bill
    • Contract
    • Reservation

Choices of any of the following are not allowed:

  • Lodging locations
  • Airlines
  • Cruise lines or cruise points of departure or destination
  • Choice travel certificates
    • Note: These are documents not issued directly by a provider of travel, but by travel wholesalers, consolidators, or other middleman travel sellers. These certificates generally offer the holder free or low-cost travel services with a choice of destination, hotel, resort, cruise line, or airline
  • Travel club memberships, including service, cards, or identification numbers that give the holder the right to free or discounted travel or some other travel-related benefit
  • Resale of travel-related incentives such as awards, coupons, upgrades, etc. that are subject to cancellation by the travel provider if resold

Seller requirements – Travel provider or travel agent

Travel providers and licensed travel agents must follow these guidelines:

  • Include the eBay Travel disclaimer in your listing description. You must copy and paste it from this page. It must be word for word
  • Lodging rentals, such as homes, apartments, condos, and timeshare weeks are allowed
  • Airfare, cruises and vacation packages are only allowed in the following circumstances:
    • Your business must be authorized to issue air or cruise tickets or vacation packages
    • In your listing, your business must also display all travel licensing credentials by name and number 
    • A choice of travel dates are allowed, but the specific destination, location of the hotel, spa, or resort or cruise line and cruise must be clearly identified in your listing
  • Upon request, sellers may be asked to provide travel licensing and accreditation
  • Travel agents who sell or arrange air or sea travel can list these travel-related items only if they are:
    • Appropriately travel credentialed
    • Lawfully allowed to do business in all states and territories in the US, as well as all provinces and territories in Canada
    • Booking the travel for the buyer or winning bidder
    • Following all of our travel guidelines

Sellers must clearly state the types and amounts of any special fees associated with the travel listing in the item description. These fees must be included in the item price.

  • Taxes paid to government or other regulatory agencies don't have to be included in the item price, but sellers need to clearly state the amounts in the item description. Listings must clearly and accurately state additional fees
Third-party affiliates and outside (home-based) agents are prohibited from listing travel items on eBay.

Additional requirements

eBay Travel disclaimer

Sellers are required to copy and paste the following disclaimer word for word in all travel listings:

"By listing this auction I verify that I am the actual travel agent or travel provider and not a third party affiliate. The travel/accommodations in this auction will be booked directly through me and not an outside agency. I also verify that, other than the government taxes and related government fees stated within the listing description itself, there will be absolutely no additional fees, charges or after auction purchases associated with booking the travel within this listing."

This text must be the same size as the other text in the item description.

Charity and fundraising

Charitable fundraising is a highly regulated area subject to numerous provincial and federal laws. eBay allows sellers to list items and collect proceeds on behalf of a charity. Sellers can do this through eBay for Charity - opens in new window or tab, the eBay program dedicated to charity listings on our site. The charity item can be listed without using this program as long as the listing meets our specific guidelines for charity and fundraising.

Many travel-related businesses-such as airlines, cruises, hotels, and resorts-donate their services to organizations as part of fundraising efforts. Charitable organizations may list travel services on eBay only if those services will be provided directly by the business that has donated the listed service.

Before listing a donated travel-related item, the organization must:

Timeshare deeded properties or credits/points (not for rent)

  • Need to be listed in Real Estate >Timeshares for Sale category only
  • The title of the listing must state the exact location and name of resort

Since most timeshares are points or credit systems that allow for trading to different locations and resorts, you'll need to choose which location or resort you want to advertise and limit your listing description to that specific timeshare.

  • In the item specifics, you must state the exact location and resort
  • You can't state 'multiple destinations' or 'varies' in the description

The description must advertise the specific resort. You can't mention the trading of points, and you can't mention affiliations that can be had with other timeshare companies. You must advertise the timeshare you're listing.

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

Why does eBay have this policy?

eBay is always looking for ways to improve the buying and selling experience. As part of this effort, we want to make sure travel-related items or services are listed properly on our site without violating our policies or federal regulations.

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