Kindred Home Swap Referral Link: 5 Nights Free w/ No Obligation to Host!

From credit card points to great deals, I’m always looking for ways to make travel cheaper, but this is the best deal I’ve seen in very long time!

Kindred is a new home swap website that allows for indirect “swaps” where you earn free nights for each night you allow another member to stay in your home. It would be worth checking out for those who already home swap, but they’re offering a limited time deal for new sign ups:

Use my invitation link to get 5 nights free & expedited approval!

When you sign up and your home is approved (more on that in a minute), you’ll receive 5 nights free to use for any home on the platform, with NO obligation to host others in your home. That’s a crazy good value, especially if you choose a pricey destination like Paris.

This is an offer that requires a tiny bit of work on your part, but it’s very worth it! I had quite a few questions when I first came across the deal, so I’m answering them all below, FAQ style:

Do I need to list my home on Kindred to get my 5 nights free?

No, you don’t need to list your home on the site.

Kindred will ask you to submit 4-6 photos of your home to check if it’s suitable for the site, but no information about your home will be listed unless you choose to move forward with hosting. However, you’ll receive your 5 free nights immediately after your home receives preliminary approval.

Kindred says they want users to get a chance to experience the service before they host. They’re counting on you wanting more! But if you just use your 5 nights and stop there, that’s totally fine.

I don’t have a luxury house. Will my home be approved?

We live in a pretty typical, bland suburban apartment in a non-touristy area. I did take some care to de-clutter and make my photos look appealing, but our apartment was approved within 24 hours of submission. For the time being, I think Kindred is trying to onboard as many homes as possible. There’s no harm in giving it a try and submitting your home–the worst they can do is say no!

How does Kindred home swap work?

Kindred operates on a credit system. For each night you host someone in your house, you’ll receive a credit good for one night at any other house on the platform. Users can list dates that their homes will be available, or simply mark their home as open to inquiries. Regardless, you always have final approval of who stays in your home and when.

Kindred provides hosts with towels, sheets, (and a lockbox if you’d like), so that guests aren’t using your linens. They also coordinate cleaning before and after the stay. That way, guests arrive to a clean home, and you come back home to a clean home as well.

Does Kindred charge a membership fee?

It seems like Kindred used to charge a membership fee, but they’ve since moved to a service fee model. You’ll pay a small service and cleaning fee for each stay you book. Fees vary according to length of stay, and I think you get the best value from Kindred if you choose a home in a pricier destination–where vacation rentals would normally be much more expensive than the amount you’re paying fees.

Can you use Kindred if you rent?

Kindred allows renters to list their homes on the site, so long as it’s your primary residence.

In terms of landlord permissions, generally speaking, yes, you can use Kindred if you’re a renter. You should check the details of your lease to be sure, but Kindred is a home swap–more like having friends, or even a house sitter stay in your apartment–not a vacation rental service that landlords often explicitly ban. You’re not earning any money from the stay, and unlike many vacation rentals, you’re unlikely to have a constant, noticeable stream of guests.