Why You Should Use HomeExchange.com to Save Money While Traveling
Have you ever wanted to be Cameron Diaz in the The Holiday and whisk yourself away to a cottage in the English countryside? Join HomeExchange.com to do just that!
View from a bridge in Strasbourg, France
HomeExchange.com is a revolutionary yet long-established concept in online travel. Click here to read about the company’s origins and growth. The site allows you to swap homes with other travelers and save money on accommodations – no more expensive hotel bills! I have experience using Home Exchange and helping other people get the most out of their travels so…let’s get started!
I understand what it’s like to plan a trip and look for ways to save money on accommodations because let’s face it: they’re often the most expensive part of the trip and usually (okay maybe not always, but usually!) when you’re traveling, your goal is to spend your days exploring, not lounging in bed! So I'm here to help you get the most out of your travels so that you can have extra travel money to spend on food, excursions, and other activities. Let’s learn about how HomeExchange.com allows you to live like a local for free!
So what are you waiting for? Join me in exploring all that HomeExchange.com has to offer!
What is HomeExchange.com?
HomeExchange.com is a website that connects people who are interested in either swapping homes simultaneously or using Home Exchange’s Guest Points program to stay in someone else's home for free while on vacation.
Overall, HomeExchange.com is a great option for travelers looking to save money and have unique experiences. They have more than 100,000 homes listed in 133 countries. Not only is it more affordable than hotels, but the ability to actually stay in homes around the world gives users an immersive experience that they can't get from other travel services. With so many homes around the world, from city apartments to mountain retreats, you're sure to find something that suits your style and budget.
HomeExchange.com’s Features
Reciprocal Home Swap
This is when two parties agree to exchange homes either simultaneously or on different dates. This allows you to use HomeExchange.com if you don’t have guest points or if you want to have a true exchange. Oftentimes, this type of exchange results in friendship as you are often making a cross-cultural exchange and communicating with one another while enjoying your host’s home and neighborhood. I have yet to do a reciprocal home exchange but will definitely jump on the opportunity when it arises, and really feel like Cameron Diaz!
Guest Point Exchanges
I have been a member for three years but only started using my guest points this summer and am so bummed that I didn’t start earlier. I’ve done five guest point exchanges (in my home and other people’s homes) and will be staying in a chalet for a week in Switzerland this coming winter. In short, Guest Points are amazing.
When you sign up and complete various parts of your profile, you earn points before you even start exchanging. Over the three years of my membership, I earned over 2,000 points without hosting or exchanging my home. HomeExchange.com allows you to charge a certain number of points based on your home’s features and location per night. No money is exchanged except for an occasional cleaning fee (although all of my stays have allowed me to clean in lieu of a fee).
So in short, when you host a party, they give you points which you can then use to stay in another member’s home for your next vacation!
Pros of HomeExchange.com
Beach near our Home Exchange on Prince Edward Island at sunset
Connect with people around the world! I’m about to host a guest who owns the yurt that my family and I stayed in in Prince Edward Island this summer. She is going to stay in my second bedroom in a few weeks and I’ve already used the guest points she gave me to book my Switzerland trip this winter. Not only do I get another free lodging vacation but I have made a new friend!
Did I mention, you get to stay in homes around the world and live like a local…for free? You are not renting an Airbnb or VRBO; you are living in their homes and are often a part of the neighborhood before you know it! The free part of HomeExchange.com is the draw but the authentic experience almost makes you feel like it’s too good to be true.
The site is very easy to navigate. If you’ve used Airbnb or another travel site, you’ll find HomeExchange’s platform to be very easy to use. You can message home owners and make the exchange through the website with a few clicks. HomeExchange does not like people communicating off their site so they provide seamless communication on their platform. And the app is great, too!
Cons of HomeExchange.com
HomeExchange.com does have a membership fee of $220 that includes an unlimited number of exchanges, 500 GP bonus for your first year, member support at your fingertips, assistance in case of cancellation or non-compliance, and property damage coverage. This is a bit of an investment but when I think of how much money I’ve saved this year by using HomeExchange, I consider it an investment that pays for itself after the first few nights of a vacation.
My Experience with HomeExchange.com
Canals of Strasbourg, France minutes from our Home Exchange apartment
I first used it this summer to stay in two homes in Prince Edward Island. The first was a lovely house in the middle of the island and the other was a yurt on the quiet eastern side of the island. Both exchanges were easy, communication with the homeowners was seamless, and we were beyond happy to stay for free in two cozy homes.
The second stay was with my sister this summer in an apartment in Strasbourg, France. The homeowner met my sister in the apartment before she headed for Morocco and we settled into a four night stay right in the heart of the city. It was perfect for our needs and the host was able to chat via the app for the few questions we had.
Just recently, I hosted a couple from Quebec who were in Vermont leaf peeping for a weekend. They used guest points while I stayed with my partner and it was an easy exchange. They found the key easily, had no questions except to ask for restaurant recommendations, and left my house spotless. I honestly couldn’t believe they were except that they had stripped the bed without me even asking them to do so.
This coming week, I’ll be hosting my new friend from Prince Edward Island who will stay with me for a week while she enjoys fall in Vermont. We’ve been in communication via the app for a few months to arrange the guest point exchange and I look forward to her stay.
And on the horizon – my partner and I are staying in a chalet in Switzerland this February using guest points. We’re teachers by day and Switzerland would be entirely out of our budget without HomeExchange.com. It is truly making my skiing in the Alps dreams come true!
Who is HomeExchange.com for?
Home Exchange is for folks who enjoy connecting with people and experiencing how they live their everyday lives. It is important to understand that you’ll be staying in people’s homes which might be a little cluttered, will probably be filled with personal photos and mementos, and have quirks. But the payback is that you do not need to clean your house from top to bottom before hosting a member in your own home. Just as you know that you’ll be staying in someone’s home, as opposed to their rental property, your Home Exchange guests are equally interested in an authentic experience.
FAQs About HomeExchange.com
When I tell people about Home Exchange, the number one question I am asked is if it’s safe. I will say that just like Airbnb, you rate your hosts and are rated when you host and you can be sponsored by a Home Exchange member to up your trustworthiness. Additionally, Home Exchange does its best to verify members and make sure that everyone on the platform is who they say they are. I also believe that the membership fee keeps the community honest and active.
Final Thoughts: Is HomeExchange.com Worth It?
Overall, HomeExchange.com is a great platform for budget travelers looking to experience the world without breaking the bank. While the membership fee may be initially off-putting, it's worth it considering all of the features and benefits it brings in exchange for peace of mind.
Ultimately, HomeExchange.com is an excellent option if you're looking for an authentic travel experience at an affordable price. So why not take a chance and sign up for an account today? You won't know what amazing places you could visit until you try!
Disclaimer: Thanks for stopping by and reading this review! If you want to join HomeExchange.com (I promise, it’s worth it!) then please use our affiliate link available throughout this post. It allows us to keep sharing our content for free!
