I love the whole concept of HE and have enjoyed a couple of very positive exchanges. However I’ve received more guests than have used my points (my secondary home is the one I offer on the platform and therefore do not use as reciprocal). Each time I have tried to use my points I struggle so much to find anywhere and become so disillusioned I just give up.
This time though has left me completely frustrated with the whole thing. I started to look for an exchange in January for the Easter break and kept my search wide with various locations and home types. I received so many No’s or just got totally ignored. I still have no trip planned for me and my boys and Easter is next week. Many of the homes I tried and either received a No for or got ignored are still displaying as available. I am so confused. I have excellent reviews so it can’t be a question of trust.
I am sitting here with almost 5000 points, with various families having enjoyed my home. However I cannot enjoy anywhere with my family.
Now I will probably have to pay for accommodation somewhere if I want to take a break this Easter. And I’ll also need to pay another years membership in order to keep those points as my HE membership ends next month.
You don’t loose your gp if you don’t renew now. You can just make a break and renew later.
Regarding the calendar, to remind it’s just an indication. If you ask on this forum or on the facebook groups and you are open, it’s very probable you get some nice offers, even on the last minute.
I would suggest adding a link to your profile here, in case someone reading this message is interested in earning GuestPoints and offers you their home.
I also wanted to mention that there’s a thread on the forum where people offer their homes for GuestPoints. You can check if any of the listings there match what you’re looking for:
Welcome on the forum Jlou73 and sorry GPs system does not work for you.
I always offer a simultaneous or non simultaneous or GPs exchange to members i contact.
When i receive a request, i am not interested in GPs but i might be interested in a reciprocical exchange.
Additionnaly, you can contact listings which have the GPs exchange only and read carefully the minimum number of days set up.
The problem is the Easter Break is a short term exchange and many members may think it is a lot of work or prefer to rent.
As it is my second home the reciprocal exchange does not work for me unfortunately. I just wanted to use the spaces in my rental calendar for HE GP guests and in turn use those Gaps to visit other places in the world. Sadly that’s not quite working out. As a parent of a young child I am tied to the school holidays which makes it even more tricky.
Why a second home would not work for reciprocical exchanges?
Guest come to your second home and you go to the (first or second) home.
Moreover, second homes allow to do non simultaneous exchanges.
The secret on HE is to be adaptable.
For example , i went to a place last summer and the host come to my place this summer 1 year later.
If members prefer GPs, they immediatly let you know.
I’m so sorry to hear your frustration… I on the other hand have the opposite issue I use my points as quickly as I get them there are several reasons I think for my success not all controllable 1 is that we are retired there are only 2 of us and we are pretty flexible. I usually start planning my holiday year 6 months in advance and depending on the location for example NYNY I sent 50 requests and often send 10 to 15 as standard. I don’t send requests to anyone with a low response rate only excellent or good at a push. Happy to give any tips but don’t give up it does take time but the rewards are amazing
Hi Jlou73, is your holiday soon? If not, do you have to book flights for a holiday? Why not look for a holiday closer to your own home? There are many, many beautiful places to find within a day’s drive/public transport. At least that’s what I always find. And there are always many members that would like points, too. Don’t give up! Be as flexible as you can and you may end up at a location that will surprise you.
And when you’re a member for longer, it will get easier to get swaps/stays.
I can identify with many of these comments. I too have many thousands of points that I am unable to use it seems. Each time I search out a destination and put out several requests where calendars are open to guest points, I either receive no response, a response saying sorry that date isn’t available (when the calendar clearly shows that it is available.) or please contact us again nearer the time. None of these is really acceptable. Especially if you are planning to fly internationally, you need to book flights well in advance not wait for a last-minute option.
One of the responses suggested sending out 50 inquiries to go to New York.!That is fine for a big city, but we often travel to small places where there may be three accommodation providers on Home Exchange. If none of these responds to you, then you cannot use your guest points.
I have a suggestion that might encourage Hosts to be more diligent about keeping their calendars up-to-date. It seems that winter destinations like Mexico keep their calendars closed for the whole winter when it is high season and they are hoping for paying guests through other platforms, and summer destinations like Europe may keep their calendars open for the opposite season. What about obliging Hosts to keep at least one month available during their high season.
I too am despondent and had hoped more many more trips I am retired and there are just two of us.
I can understand it is surprising to read « dates are not available » when the calendar is opened for GPs only.
This is why i write « As your calendar is opened, i try my luck ».
And i always offer a simultaneous or non simultaneous or GP exchange.
Personally i rarely accept GPs but i may be interested in a reciprocical exchange.
The opposite impolite behaviour exists.
Today i had 2 requests in emergency because of a cancellation so they said.
They needed a place for … today!
I asked for more information and … they never replied!
Needless to say, if those people get in touch with me again, I’ll turn them down straight away.
I am really sorry it isn’t working out for you! Strangely, after two years where it went well, we are currently experiencing the opposite problem: We have availability for GuestPoints but nobody seems to want to come to us (apart from for just two or three days, and then it is barely worth the effort of preparing). So if you ever want to come to southern Germany in late May or mid August, let me know.
there are several reasons I think for my success not all controllable 1 is that we are retired there are only 2 of us and we are pretty flexible. I usually start planning my holiday year 6 months in advance and depending on the location for example NYNY I sent 50 requests and often send 10 to 15 as standard. I don’t send requests to anyone with a low response rate only excellent or good at a push. Happy to give any tips but don’t give up it does take time but the rewards are amazing
