Travelling can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of creativity and effort, it’s possible to get free accommodation while on vacation.
A new study by Luxury Escapes covering over 4,000 respondents highlighted Australians’ desire to get back out there and travel after years of pandemic restrictions. A check of preferred destinations within Australia had Queensland bagging the podium, followed by the Whitsundays and the Sunshine Coast. For international destinations: Indonesia, Thailand, and New Zealand comprised the top three.
When asked about reasons for booking their vacations, many respondents said they wanted to go experience new things, such as other cultures. Sixty per cent claimed they were willing to invest more on experiences during their holiday.
For seniors who want to carefully manage accommodation budgets by allotting some to experiences, it may be a viable option. Here are some tips to help you get free accommodation while travelling and save money on your next trip.
House Sitting
There are many homeowners who are looking for someone to look after their house while they are away. This can be a great opportunity for travellers to get free accommodation in exchange for taking care of someone’s home and possibly their pets.
Websites like TrustedHousesitters and HouseCarers can connect you with homeowners in need of a house sitter.
It’s important to note that while some house sitting may result in free accommodation, it may require additional effort. For example, taking care of someone’s pets or garden may require working a few hours a day.
Home Exchange
Home exchange is when two homeowners agree to swap homes for a period of time. Websites like HomeExchange can help you find potential home exchange partners.
House Swapping
Similar to home exchange, house swapping involves trading homes with another traveller. But instead of staying in each other’s homes at the same time, you stay in each other’s homes at different times.
With Love Home Swap, you have the opportunity to select your dream home and location from a vast collection of charming character homes in more than 100 countries.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a popular website that connects travellers with locals who are willing to offer a free place to stay. Engaging in this activity offers an excellent opportunity to meet new people and immerse yourself in the local culture. Although, it’s logical to take safety precautions and only stay with verified hosts who have strongly positive reviews.
Volunteer
There are many organisations that offer free accommodation to volunteers. This can be a great way to give back to the community while saving money on accommodation.
Volunteer World and Go Overseas can help you find volunteer opportunities around the world.
Hospitality Clubs
Hospitality clubs like Servas and BeWelcome offer free accommodation to travellers. Members of these clubs can stay with local hosts for free and can also offer their own homes to other travellers. This activity offers a wonderful chance to encounter new people and fully immerse yourself in the local culture.
Camping
Camping is a great way to save money on accommodation while enjoying the great outdoors. There are many campsites and national parks around the world that offer free or low-cost camping options.
Camp in My Garden and Hipcamp can help you find campsites in your destination.
Use Rewards Points
Many credit card companies offer rewards points that can be redeemed for free hotel stays or flights. If you use a credit card regularly, you can accumulate enough rewards points to get free accommodation or even flights. It’s important to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions of the rewards programme.
Work Exchange
Many hostels and farms offer work exchange programmes where travellers can work a few hours a day in exchange for free accommodation. This can be a great way to save money, meet new people and learn about local culture.
Workaway and HelpX can connect you with potential work exchange opportunities.
The ASAG Reverse Mortgage
With travelling, finding ways to save money on accommodation can make a big difference in the overall cost of a trip.
For seniors who own their own home, an equity release facility can be a good option for financing travel expenses. The ASAG Reverse Mortgage allows seniors to access the equity in their home and use it to pay for travel and holiday expenses, including accommodation.
As the world starts to recover from its recent challenges, take this chance to embark on a significant journey. To get started, contact the ASAG team at 1300 002 724 or send an email to info@asagfirstcom.au.
You can also make use of our assessment tool provided below to know how much equity you have in your home.