HomeExchange allows you to finalize two types of exchanges, reciprocal and non-reciprocal:
Reciprocal exchange: I host the person whose home I am staying in. I am both the host and the guest. This exchange can either be simultaneous (where both me and my partner member stay at each other's homes during the same time) or non-simultaneous (where me and my partner member stay in each other's homes during different dates).
Non-reciprocal exchange: The host of the home I am staying in is not interested in coming to my home, so I offer a predetermined amount of GuestPoints per night for his hospitality. I can also accept GuestPoints if I am not interested in staying at my guest’s home.
Each home has a different value of GuestPoints per night. This amount is automatically calculated by the site and depends on a variety of factors. What is the value of my home in GuestPoints ? You can also find information about GuestPoints here: What are GuestPoints?
With both types of exchange, you can also agree to do a "hospitality exchange" and increase even more trust and connection with your exchange partner. Hospitality exchange is when a host member welcomes his exchange partner and they both agree for the host to stay at home (as if a friend was coming to stay :). For more information on hospitality exchanges, you can read our Blog page.
How do I know which type of exchange another member is interested in?
When you click on another member's listing page, you will see different colors on their calendar indicating their availability for that type of exchange. If you are receiving a request from another member, you can see in the exchange details on the right of the message with that member whether they are proposing a reciprocal or non-reciprocal exchange.
How does it work?
When you search for an exchange as a guest and find a home that interests you, you can click the contact button on the page. A pop-up will appear where you can input the type of exchange you would like to propose. You can then discuss with the partner member the details of the exchange such as: the use of GuestPoints or not, dates, number of guests, exchanging of keys, check-in, etc. The exchange will need pre-approved and finalized before the exchange is official.
More information on how to finalize your exchange can be found in these articles:
How do I finalize a reciprocal exchange?
How do I finalize non-reciprocal exchanges?
How do I finalize an exchange from the app?