A woman has saved thousands of pounds on luxurious holidays by inviting strangers into her home. Holidaymakers are often on the lookout for innovative ways to slash the cost of a getaway, whether that is booking flights at an ungodly hour, travelling out of peak season, or simply opting for a staycation rather than jetting abroad. For others, they have taken a completely different approach, inviting strangers into their home to help book that bucket list destination for a fraction of the price.
The Strategy Behind the Savings
Asia Kitaichik, 33, who lives in the UK but hails from Milan, Italy, opens up her one-bedroom flat in London with her husband to fellow travellers looking for a place to stay. In return, she gets to save serious cash when jetting off abroad. Over just over a year and a total of 20 nights away, the director of Yes We Can Agency has soaked up the rays in Mexico on two separate occasions, including one stay at a lavish three-story abode with a private rooftop and infinity pool, and explored the beautiful landscapes of Switzerland, all for £944.
The cost of the four holidays at just £944, plus flights, has helped Asia save almost £2,000. The average cost of a week's trip to Mexico can set holidaymakers back between £800 and £2,000 per person, while Switzerland is widely considered one of the most expensive countries in the world. Instead, Asia was able to spend four nights in the picturesque village of Appenzell in Switzerland for just £220, with a welcoming saving of around £536. The globe trotter was also able to stay six nights in La Paz, Mexico, for £282, with a saving of £501, four nights in Tulum, Mexico, for £210, offering a saving of £392, and an additional six nights in Mexico City for just £232, helping to save £551.
How the Home Exchange Platform Works
Asia has been able to save almost £2,000 on these four luxurious holidays through the home exchange website Kindred. The platform allows like-minded travellers to swap homes, enabling them to stay at different destinations across the world for a fraction of the price. By hosting people in her home for 57 nights, Asia has been able to secure points that are then exchanged for her own trips abroad, and she simply has to pay a service fee and cleaning fee for each stay.
Asia told the Mirror: "You host one night in your home, you get one credit. So you get one credit, you spend one credit." With the credit system in place, this can allow upgrades, with Asia swapping her one-bedroom flat in London's Notting Hill for some rather swanky abodes during a trip abroad. "In exchange for my flat, it allowed me to have a whole house in Switzerland for four days. Especially because in Switzerland, a stay could cost from around 200 Swiss Francs (around £188) and more, per night - so I got an upgrade," Asia explained. "And I didn't just get a home, I got a two-floor house with parking and a garden. When I arrived, there were some local biscuits from the bakery and a warm, welcoming note - it was incredible."
Authentic Travel Experience
Asia highlighted the difference between Airbnb and Kindred: "Generally, this is not just something out for rent, this is somebody's real home. This is where they live, so they come with personal touches. It feels a lot more authentic than just renting something out, and you get to speak to them on the phone - it's really nice." Aside from affordable travel, Kindred also allows members to chat over the phone or video before agreeing to a house swap or hosting. Additionally, those who use the platform and open up their home to guests can benefit from a cleaning service, with a dedicated team cleaning the home before and after a stay.
"I usually come home to a cleaner home than the one I left behind, which honestly feels really good when you've come back from your trip, and you've arrived at around 1am, or flown for 12 hours. I arrive home, and it feels so clean and shiny," Asia said. There is also support from Kindred throughout a home stay, whether that is for the traveller or host, which only adds to that reassurance.
Future Travel Plans
Asia added: "On Kindred, you can find apartments for all sorts of needs, from travelling with four people, with your parents, children or add additional guests. The longer you stay, the more it makes sense as the cleaning fees remain the same despite the duration. You can maximise your empty home!" Asia has plenty of plans for future trips through Kindred, including travelling around Italy, exploring more of Switzerland, and more bucket-list long-haul destinations across the globe.
Important Considerations for House Swapping
If you do fancy giving house swapping a go, it is important to check the rules of the country you are visiting first. House swapping on a standard tourist visa can be a legal grey area or completely prohibited. In strict immigration law, unpaid reciprocal accommodation is generally fine, but if services are exchanged (like pet care) or if there is a commercial transaction, it can be classified as illegal unpaid work.
