How does HomeExchange calculate the GuestPoints value for each home?

Confused about how HomeExchange GuestPoints are calculated? We've got all the answers you're looking for!

GuestPoints offer the ultimate flexibility when you're planning an exchange. They enable you to plan non-reciprocal exchanges with other members, meaning you can stay where you want, when you want. But for anyone who is new to the concept, you might be wondering how HomeExchange calculates how many GuestPoints your home is worth? We're often asked which amenities add value, and why some homes have the same amount of space, but differ in GuestPoints value? They're all great questions, so we've put together a guide to give you an idea of how we calculate GuestPoints, plus a host of other GP-related queries.

What are GuestPoints?

If you’re only just learning about HomeExchange, you may be wondering what GuestPoints are. HomeExchange GuestPoints allow members to experience a different way of exchanging: instead of a reciprocal exchange (when you go to someone's home, and they come to yours), you can use GuestPoints to stay at someone’s home without hosting them at your place. Likewise, if your home has availability and someone asks if they can stay there, but you don’t want to visit their home or region, you can simply allow them to stay at your home in exchange for GuestPoints. And once these GuestPoints have been added to your account, you can use them to treat yourself to another non-reciprocal exchange. And that's just the tip of the iceberg!

Why were HomeExchange GuestPoints created?

GuestPoints were implemented to create a more fluid system of exchanges, and to increase the number of opportunities our members have to travel. Now, a huge proportion of exchanges incorporate GuestPoints in some capacity.

How can I use GuestPoints to stay in a home?

You can use GuestPoints in a variety of ways, such as:

• to facilitate a non-reciprocal exchange (you could stay in someone else's home, without them coming to stay at yours, and vice versa).
• to arrange stays for differing periods of time (if you were staying in a home for 1 week, but your exchange partner was staying in your property for additional nights, they could offer some GuestPoints to make it a fair exchange).
• to exchange homes that are significantly different in terms of size and amenities (if you have a 1-bedroom apartment and you'd like to stay in a 6-bedroom villa with your family, your host could receive some GuestPoints to compensate for the time and effort it takes to prepare a large home for multiple guests).
• to enjoy a hospitality stay (if you want to stay in someone's spare bedroom while they're at home, you can offer GuestPoints in exchange for their hospitality.)

How are HomeExchange GuestPoints calculated?

When creating your listing, your home’s GP value will be calculated automatically depending on:

• your home’s location (its distance from the nearest tourist sites).
• the amenities your home has (such as a swimming pool or garden).
• the number and size of beds you can offer (this is linked to the general size of your home, and how many people you can realistically accommodate).

Once these factors have been taken into consideration, your home's GuestPoints value is calculated by our algorithm, as we believe that this is the fairest way to uphold our company vision: to make travel affordable, safe and flexible for everyone.

Which facilities and amenities lead to a higher GuestPoints value for my home?

Some facilities and amenities are more in-demand than others, so they will lead to a slight increase in your home value. For example, a home with a pool may be given a higher GuestPoints-per-night amount than a home that does not have one. A home with air conditioning (especially during the summer or if it's in a hot location) will benefit from an increase in its GuestPoints value than a property that doesn't have A/C. And a garden will also secure some extra GuestPoints. This is why it's so important to add all your amenities to your home listing!

Why does the location of my home impact on my GP value?

We're committed to making the GuestPoints system fair. Homes that are located close to tourist areas will probably receive more requests that those who are living further from touristy areas. That doesn’t mean that you have to be in a big city to home exchange, it just means that those who who are in a tourist hotspot may receive many requests based on the number of people who travel there every year, so the algorithm will allocate a few extra GP to their home to reflect this.

Does the size of my home affect its GP value?

How many people your home can accommodate will impact on your GuestPoints-per-night value, since it correlates to how many guests can comfortably stay in your home. If you have a home that can host a lot of people, your listing will inevitably attract larger groups and families, so it's only sensible that a bigger home with additional beds is rewarded accordingly. As such, more GuestPoints make up for the extra effort it takes to prepare a home for multiple people, as opposed to just one or two.

Do GuestPoints have a monetary value?

The HomeExchange GuestPoints system has not been designed to maximize profitability or equate to earnings, so it doesn't have any monetary value. Quite simply, it has been created to enable more flexibility when arranging an exchange.

Can I increase or decrease the amount of GuestPoints that my home is worth?

Fun fact: You can adjust the amount of GuestPoints per night that you'd like to receive by 30 GP in either direction. So, if you think the algorithm overvalued your home, you can lower the amount of GuestPoints by 30 to more accurately reflect your valuation of your home - this is a great way to increase the number of requests that you receive. Conversely, if you believe that your home should be worth more GuestPoints than the algorithm calculated (particularly if you're being inundated with exchange requests), you can raise the amount by 30 GP to better reflect its value. You can find a detailed guide on how to change the GP value of your home here.

And don't forget that if you're arranging a reciprocal exchange with a home that has a different GP value to yours (either lower of higher) you and your host can agree to set the GP value at zero, so that no GuestPoints are exchanged.

What if I have more questions about the GuestPoints value of my home?

If you have more questions about GuestPoints, start by taking a look at this page which is dedicated to GuestPoints.

If you have any further worries about the valuation of your home, or if you believe the GuestPoints valuation was miscalculated, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly Member Support Team. We have several different ways you can contact us, whether by email (if you need urgent support), via our contact form, or through our lovely chat ambassadors! If you’d like to read more about GuestPoints and HomeExchange, you can also check out our FAQs and see if we’ve already answered your question!

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of how HomeExchange calculates GuestPoints value for each home, try taking another look at your profile to see if you missed any amenities that could affect its value. With the help of our algorithm, you’ll be able to exchange homes with other members of our community confidently and travel with complete peace of mind.