2023 was the year when I decided to be a more cost-efficient traveler, utilizing all available resources, points, and exchanges to make my trips more affordable but with the same level of comfort.
Then one day, I saw advertising for KINDRED and was instantly intrigued. Just like HomeExchange, Kindred is a member-only home swap network where you can stay at other members’ homes by either booking with points you have in your balance or swapping homes with them—meaning they stay at our place while you’re staying at theirs. Unlike HomeExchange, where anyone can become a member, KINDRED makes it more exclusive, with another member’s referral needed in order to be approved on the platform. This makes the platform more exclusive, selective, and more sophisticated, with special access to some of the breathtaking homes featured on the Kindred network.
So, of course, I had to give it a shot and took my first KINDRED trip to Miami in August this year. (Link to the Miami article here.) In November, I took another trip to NYC, where I booked a 12-day stay in another member’s apartment in the heart of Chelsea for $41 a day— the entire trip cost $250 cleaning fee and $250 service fee that Kindred charges. The cleaning fee is broken into two fees, one before you arrive and one after you leave. The service fee can be waived if you purchase the Kindred passport, which is a yearly membership for $600 a year. This will really pay off if you’re planning to take at least 3 Kindred trips a year; then your costs would drop to only the cleaning fee.
Both apartments, in Miami and New York, were immaculately clean, had fantastic sheets, towels, and linens, and a Kindred toiletry bag specifically dedicated and sent prior to each guest’s arrival.
It is a completely different feeling than staying in an Airbnb or hotel room where there isn’t usually any personalized and cozy homely feeling, with a full kitchen, supplies, and house warmth.
Of course, this type of travel isn’t for everyone. Some of us (me most of the time) love to stay in hotels with full specific amenities, daily housekeeping, and 24/7 room service. But for others who are avid and frequent travelers, you should definitely give Kindred a shot while it’s still in its growth years and see if this type of travel works for you. Contact me via email for a referral code.
