How to Score a Free Stay on Your Next Trip

Have you ever seen the Holiday? Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz play two women, both recently jilted by their significant others, and they do a house swap. Believe it or not, it’s real. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll meet the love of your life during a house swap, it works just as it does in the film: there are websites where you can go, peruse various houses that are up for swapping, and put yours up as well. When you find someone who wants to stay at your home and you want to stay at theirs, you book your airfare and set off.

With pet sitting, you’re basically bartering - you stay at a pet owner's home, taking care of their pet while they are away. You’ll likely also need to do basic housekeeping (watering plants, taking in the mail).

House swaps are typically done via home swapping websites that connect people who want to trade homes. There are two types of swapping: simultaneous and non-simultaneous. Simultaneous swapping is like The Holiday - while you are at someone’s house, they are staying at yours. Non-simultaneous means you don’t swap homes at the same time. Non-simultaneous swaps are done using a points system: you let someone stay in your home while you’re away to earn points, which you can spend to stay in another member’s home at a later date.

Once you find a potential exchange, you’ll discuss details with the other member: travel dates, any car exchange, whether pets or plants need care, and house rules. It's important to make sure you check your destination country's visa requirements to ensure housesitting is permitted under a tourist visa. Most platforms have an internal messaging system and encourage signing a formal home exchange agreement through the site when you both agree to the swap. After confirming, you simply show up and enjoy a home away from home!

HomeExchange

HomeExchange is one of the largest and most established home exchange communities, boasting thousands of listings across the globe. It operates on a membership model ($235 per year for unlimited swaps) and includes a points system for non-simultaneous exchanges.

HomeLink

HomeLink offers non-simultaneous exchanges, although simultaneous ones are the most popular option used on the platform.

People Like Us

People Like Us operates similarly to HomeExchange, with a $159 yearly fee that provides unlimited exchanges and utilizes a points system for non-simultaneous exchanges.

Kindred

Kindred is a newer platform that operates a little differently than the others. There is no yearly fee; it’s a credit-based, members-only model where members earn credits by hosting their own homes and redeem those credits by staying at other members' homes. You also have to pay cleaning and service fees for each stay.

Pet sitting (or housesitting) is also done through trusted sites, where you create a profile highlighting your expertise as a pet/housesitter, and you can also browse profiles of people looking for a pet sitter. Like a house swap, you will exchange communication with your potential match, go over responsibilities, sign contracts, and then head to the location when it’s time.

TrustedHousesitters

Trusted House Sitters is a global, well-known site that allows you to create a profile for yourself and browse profiles of people looking for house sitters worldwide. Subscriptions start at $149 per year. Premium subscriptions offer video interviews, instant alerts, cancelation plans, and more.

MindMyHouse

MindMyHouse works similarly, but costs just $29 per year for potential sitters.

Nomador

Nomador focuses on European housesitting, with plans starting at 34 euros for three months, so you can test the waters and see if it's for you.

Whether going the house swap or pet sitting route, an eye-catching profile is key. Write a detailed home listing. Highlight your home’s features, local attractions, and what you’re looking for in an exchange. Upload clear, inviting photos of every room and perhaps the neighborhood. Verify your identity through the site if possible, and consider getting references from past exchanges or neighbors. A complete profile with personal info (who you are, your profession, why you love traveling) also builds trust.

For pet sitting, emphasize your experience and love for animals. Include photos of you with pets you’ve cared for (or your own, if you have them). List any relevant skills (administering medicine, handling large dogs, etc.) and mention if you have a flexible schedule or can work remotely (a plus for longer sits). Complete all verifications – many platforms require ID checks or even a background check for sitters. If you’re new, consider asking a friend or former employer to serve as a character reference. Alternatively, you could do a couple of short local sits to get reviews on your page.

While the vast majority of house swaps and pet-sitting arrangements go well (thanks to trust systems in place), it’s wise to stay vigilant and use common sense. Here are some safety tips and ways to ensure a reliable match:

• Use Established, Reviewed Platforms - do not use craigslist or facebook to find exchange programs.
  
• Check Profiles Thoroughly - do not make arrangements with anyone that has no reviews, or is not verified.
  
• Never Pay Outside of Membership Fees: If anyone asks you for a deposit, wire transfer, or payment for utilities outside the agreed terms, be very wary.
  
• Communicate on the Platform: Just as you do not accept outside payments, refrain from communicating off the platform. Scammers often try to move to email/WhatsApp immediately – resist that. Once you’ve vetted each other and perhaps had a video chat, it’s fine to exchange direct contact info for ease.
  
• Ask Questions and Get Specifics: A reliable exchange partner or pet owner will not mind you asking detailed questions – in fact, they’ll appreciate that you’re responsible. If someone is evasive or refuses to video chat, that’s a bad sign. Ask specific questions about the security system, neighborhood, and house.
  
• Use Platform Guarantees or Insurance if Available: Some home exchange platforms offer guarantees – for instance, HomeExchange provides some protection if your exchange is canceled last-minute or if there’s property damage.
  
• Be Cautious of Off-Platform Lures: A common scam in the pet-sitting world is someone contacting you outside the official site, claiming they found your profile and have a perfect sit for you, but wanting you to communicate by personal email. Similarly, in home exchange, someone might propose a swap via social media out of the blue. Ask them to contact you through the website if this happens. If they refuse, chances are it’s a scam.
  
• Trust Your Instincts: Finally, listen to your gut. If during initial conversations something doesn’t feel right – maybe the person is overly pushy, or the listing details don’t add up then back out.