The holidays are booked, the train to the South of France would be affordable, but the accommodation is once again blowing the budget? This is precisely where GuestPoints can make the difference. Anyone who wants to use GuestPoints correctly on vacation doesn't need a complicated trick, but rather a clear plan: search flexibly, inquire fairly, and realistically assess your own travel wishes.
We use Apartment swap especially as a family, because it doesn't just save money. An apartment with a kitchen, washing machine, and real children's rooms just feels better after two days of travel than a cramped hotel room. GuestPoints make it possible to stay with other members even if they can't visit us at the same time.
What makes GuestPoints so practical for apartment swaps
In a classic home exchange, two households swap directly with each other: we live in their home, they live in ours. This can be a wonderful arrangement, but it's not always easy to coordinate. For instance, we might want to go to Copenhagen during the summer holidays, while the Copenhagen family would prefer to go to the seaside in the autumn. With GuestPoints, both don't have to happen on the same date.
GuestPoints are HomeExchange's internal currency. For a stay, the host specifies a certain number of points per night. You earn these points by hosting guests yourself, or you receive them as starting credit upon registration. This way, your home not only becomes a place to live, but also a travel budget that you can use for overnight stays in completely different locations.
This initially sounds like a bartering with a math problem. In practice, it's surprisingly uncomplicated. The only crucial thing is that you don't view points as something to hoard for as long as possible. They are there to enable you to travel.
Make the most of your GuestPoints on vacation: First the destination, then the points
The most common mistake happens right at the search stage: people only filter for the fewest possible criteria and end up with accommodations that aren't suitable for their trip at all. The cheapest apartment is of little use if it's an hour outside the city, doesn't have a bed for the youngest child, or if you have to eat out every evening.
That's why we always start with three questions: Where do we want to wake up in the morning? How many nights make sense for us? And what does this accommodation save us besides the nightly price? Especially with children, a central apartment with a kitchen and toys can be worth more than a particularly inexpensive offer far out. If this eliminates car rentals, restaurant visits, and long journeys, you are using your GuestPoints very wisely.
When looking at the points, consider the price per night as well as the total travel value. A week in a family-friendly apartment in an expensive city can quickly replace several thousand euros in hotel costs. In that case, slightly higher points are also fair. For a short stopover or a region with many free attractions, on the other hand, it's worth looking more specifically for low-point options.
Not every travel day has to be worth the same amount.
On longer trips, we sometimes deliberately split up our overnight stays. The first few days we spend in a city apartment, where location and comfort are particularly important. After that, we move on to a quieter area, perhaps to a smaller home with fewer points. This gives us variety and saves points on our account.
This mix is also relaxed for families: first sightseeing and full days, then a few nights with a garden, playground, or hiking trail right outside. Those planning GuestPoints for their vacation don't need to maximize every night. They should spend points where they truly make the vacation easier.
The right time to ask
Popular travel destinations during school holidays are, of course, more sought after. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile not to just focus on the big cities or the first ten search results. Many great accommodations are only released a few months in advance, and other hosts only respond when their own holiday plans are set.
For summer holidays, Christmas, or long weekends, we look as early as possible. Several months of advance planning significantly increase your options. At the same time, it's worth doing a second search four to six weeks before your trip: calendars are often updated then because plans change. This phase can be golden for spontaneous weekends.
A request should be personal, but not like a novel. Briefly write who you are, why the apartment appeals to you, and how you will treat the home. If traveling with children, state the age and number openly. Hosts want to know who is coming, not because families are unwelcome, but because trust is everything in a home exchange.
A sentence like „We would really enjoy your kitchen and the proximity to the park, and would treat your apartment as carefully as our own home“ is much better than a standard message to twenty people. Of course, you can and should send out multiple inquiries. Just do it with a genuine connection to the respective accommodation.
This is how to build up your points account sensibly
Anyone who wants to spend GuestPoints must also collect some at some point. The easiest way is to offer your own home when others want to travel. This doesn't mean you have to constantly leave your apartment to strangers. Even one or two suitable stays per year can make a big difference.
Periods of time when you are traveling yourself are particularly attractive. Your apartment will be empty anyway then. But a guest room, a granny flat, or a free weekend can also be helpful if it fits your daily routine. Only block off dates in your calendar that you feel truly comfortable with. Apartment swapping should create freedom, not generate stress.
An accommodation's score is calculated based on various features, such as location, size, amenities, and number of beds. Don't try to artificially spruce up your home. Good photos in daylight, an honest description, and clear instructions about stairs, pets, or house rules are more effective than grand promises. Those who know what to expect arrive more relaxed and review more fairly.
A tip from experience: When creating your listing, don't just think about tourists. Maybe your apartment is near a trade fair, a university, a ski resort, or a beautiful hiking trail. Places that seem ordinary to locals are also exciting for other travelers. Families, in particular, often aren't looking for picture-perfect scenery, but for a practical home with good connections and space to breathe.
When high scores are worthwhile—and when they're not
It can absolutely make sense to spend more GuestPoints for an apartment in a prime location during peak season. We wouldn't insist on saving at all costs if the alternative were an expensive hotel or if this accommodation would enable a trip that would otherwise have to be canceled.
Caution is more appropriate for offers that only appear particularly attractive at first glance. Check the map, the sleeping arrangements, and the house rules. Are bed linen and cleaning included? Is there a minimum stay? Does the arrival time really fit your plans? A low point value isn't a bargain if you end up spending a lot of time and money on detours.
The same applies to hosts: High ratings alone don't make an apartment more desirable. A well-maintained home, quick communication, and a helpful little welcome note are often more important. When guests feel comfortable with you, they accumulate positive experiences – and with them, the chances of receiving suitable inquiries for your next trip grow.
Four Habits That Save Points and Nerves
A few small routines have helped us use GuestPoints more relaxedly:
- Search with a one or two-day flexible range instead of just strict arrival and departure dates.
- Before making the request, determine the maximum number of points this trip is worth to you.
- Read reviews and house rules thoroughly before falling in love with a property.
- Set up a small buffer of points in case your first option falls through or you want to extend on the go.
This buffer is especially convenient when a trip isn't planned down to the last detail. We like to stay an extra night on the go if a place surprises us. It doesn't always work out, but with a little reserve, a rigid route becomes more of a vacation with room to breathe.
For us, HomeExchange isn't just a cheap place to stay. It changes what types of trips are even realistic: an apartment in a city that we as a family might otherwise only afford for two nights, or a longer stay where you really get to know a place.
When you consciously use your GuestPoints for suitable accommodations, good locations, and trips with real added value, they quickly become more than just a number in your profile. Perhaps the very first inquiry is the beginning of a trip that you've always put off for later.
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On my travel blog Wandernotizen I'll take you along on our family trips around the globe. Between wanderlust and everyday chaos, you'll find honest travel reports, tips, and plenty of material to ignite your wanderlust. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️