{"id":126438,"date":"2020-05-21T08:25:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T12:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mp-2702.milesopedia.dev\/news\/presentation-homeexchange\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T11:02:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T15:02:48","slug":"presentation-homeexchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mp-2702.milesopedia.dev\/en\/reviews\/products\/presentation-homeexchange\/","title":{"rendered":"HomeExchange: Home Exchange with Points"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the HomeExchange website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In our group of loyalty program enthusiasts, reward credit cards, and low-cost travel<\/a>, there are at least four members who are fans of points-based home exchanges: Pauline, Suzanne, Am\u00e9lie, and Marion.<\/p>\n\n

Only one site to our knowledge uses this system, which allows us to host people at our home without necessarily going to theirs, because we want to go elsewhere. It is HomeExchange<\/a>, whose headquarters are in France and which has existed since 1992. <\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

Although the first home exchanges took place within a community of American teachers in the 1950s, HomeExchange<\/a> was a pioneer in its own way thanks to its “Guestpoints<\/em>” system.<\/p>\n\n

The company boasts of now having 400,000 homes listed on its site, in more than 180 countries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

The approach is so interesting that by posting a description and photos of your home, your surroundings, your availability calendar, and by becoming a verified member (ID and proof of address such as an electricity bill), you earn enough currency – the “Guestpoints<\/em>” – for a stay elsewhere without anyone coming to your home.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

This allows you to explore the system for the first time and decide whether you will subsequently accept requests from members interested in your offer in order to earn points again to travel.<\/p>\n\n

Add to that a brief presentation of your family, couple, or yourself and you are ready to try the adventure. Recently, however, an annual subscription of $190<\/strong> (or \u20ac130) is required when it comes time to finalize the exchange, even the first one.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

This amount includes:<\/p>\n\n

For guests<\/td>For hosts<\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Cancellation protection<\/strong>: Compensation up to \u20ac700 per week and support in case of cancellation or non-compliance<\/td>\u20ac500 security deposit<\/strong> deposited by the guest to cover potential property damage.<\/td><\/tr>
Compliance guarantee<\/strong>: Proposal of an alternative solution if the accommodation does not match the initial description of the home.<\/td>Property damage<\/strong> covered up to \u00a31,000,000*<\/td><\/tr>
Damage coverage<\/strong>: Protection in case of property damage up to \u00a31,000,000*<\/td>Support in case of theft<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

As well as 24\/7 assistance service<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

This means it is no longer free as before. However, know that you can make as many exchanges as desired per year<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

This is how Marion, a Milesopedia member originally from France but living in Montreal, found for her family of three a large Parisian apartment for nine nights during the Christmas period of 2019. The exchange cost her 1,170 points that she had in her account thanks to those granted free by HomeExchange<\/a> upon registration and the $190 subscription.<\/p>\n\n

Marion was able to invite about twenty guests to her three-year-old daughter’s birthday tea party in the large apartment in the Nation neighborhood, near four Metro lines.<\/p>\n\n

Great deal, $190 for 9 nights in Paris during the holiday season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

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\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

How the HomeExchange site works<\/h2>\n\n

Simultaneous reciprocal exchange<\/h3>\n\n

Here is how simultaneous reciprocal exchange works.<\/p>\n\n

The Gagnons want to go to the Tremblays’ home. <\/strong>The Tremblays are also interested in the Gagnons’ offer, and what luck, we agree on the same dates.<\/p>\n\n

This is a simultaneous reciprocal exchange<\/strong>. And as long as the point values of the homes are roughly equivalent, there may be no exchange of points. <\/p>\n\n

If, however, one is worth much more than the other or if ultimately the nights are more numerous at one of the exchangers, a difference in points could be paid after agreement. The parties decide between themselves. <\/p>\n\n

Non-simultaneous reciprocal exchange<\/h3>\n\n

But what happens when both parties are interested but the dates are not the same?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Since it is possible for each exchanger to leave their home available on the other’s dates, this is a reciprocal but non-simultaneous exchange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Particularly interesting for people who have cottages, for example. Again, if the homes are equivalent in points, no need to exchange them. Everyone keeps their nest egg. <\/p>\n\n

Suzanne’s example<\/h4>\n\n

Suzanne, a Milesopedia member, is a champion of non-simultaneous exchanges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

In three years, she has been hosted more than 80 nights<\/strong> in Paris, Rome, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bogot\u00e1, Medell\u00edn, Santa Marta, Cartagena, and Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n

It must be said, as she told us, that she owns a second home in the Laurentians, which allows her to offer a lot of availability and thus earn many points. She has for her part received French people from the continent and R\u00e9union Island, Americans, Australians, and Italians. <\/p>\n\n

And finally, Quebecers.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

Pauline’s example<\/h4>\n\n

The same is true for Pauline, also a Milesopedia member who has been doing home exchanges for several years.<\/p>\n\n

She offers a free accommodation on the ground floor of her home in Saguenay. She has welcomed with the HomeExchange<\/a> points system French, Martinican, Spanish, and Quebec guests. <\/p>\n\n

She has in turn gone to Italy, Spain, California, and Quebec. Just last summer, about twenty French families asked her to exchange with her<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n

She obviously could not accept all these invitations from French cousins.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

Non-reciprocal exchange<\/h3>\n\n

Finally, the Gagnons want to go to the Tremblays’ home, who have in mind a trip to a different country.<\/p>\n\n

The Smith family’s home appeals to them greatly and they would agree to leave it to them but in 6 months. This is a non-reciprocal exchange<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

The Gagnons therefore pay the Tremblays the points that the stay is worth, then the Tremblays use them in whole or in part to go to the Smiths’ home.<\/p>\n\n

Or simply to put them in the bank.<\/p>\n\n

Example of retired friends<\/h4>\n\n

Owners of a Safari condo RV, I have a retired couple of friends who leave for several weeks a year in North America, leaving their large Montreal home with a view of the Rivi\u00e8re-des-Prairies available.<\/p>\n\n

They are fans of non-reciprocal exchange<\/strong> and have received several French families from the old continent and Guadeloupe without having gone to these destinations.<\/p>\n\n

With their 8,000 points accumulated in two years<\/strong>, they went to Sicily, London, New York, and Quebec.<\/p>\n\n

They are again targeting Europe when restrictions are lifted because they still have several currencies in the bank.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

A world of possibilities<\/h2>\n\n

According to the description of your home (how many bedrooms, amenities), proximity to shops and services, places to visit, HomeExchange<\/a> grants your offer a value in points per night<\/strong> that you can increase or decrease by 30% in case of disagreement.<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

It is surprising to see the variety of offers on the site<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

We think of course of popular places like major capitals or seasides, but there are all kinds.<\/p>\n\n

Do not underestimate the attraction power of your small town even if it is not next to Central Park, but be ready to be courted if you live in Old Montreal!<\/p>\n\n

\"HomeExchange:<\/figure>\n\n

The site recommends it:<\/p>\n