On December 2nd, HomeExchange is rolling out a major update to the way GuestPoints (GPs) are calculated. If you’re a member, you’ve probably already seen the announcement in your inbox — and judging by the reaction in both the official forum and Reddit, this update is turning into one of the most talked-about changes in recent HomeExchange history.
I read through dozens of member reactions, across multiple languages and platforms, and this article is here to break it all down in a clear, impartial way.
If you’re wondering things like:
…this is the most complete breakdown you’ll find.
According to HomeExchange’s product team, the motivation is “greater consistency and fairness.” The company claims that years of community feedback highlighted three weak points in the old formula:
Members complained that a suburban house 45 minutes away from a major city could be listed at higher value than a central apartment in a globally iconic destination (Berlin, Barcelona, Paris, etc.).
People were gaming location by selecting “city center” even when they lived far from it. Others simply had no way to reflect the real demand for their area.
Now HomeExchange will use zip code data, not self-declaration.
Some hosts were adding fold-out beds, inflatable mattresses, or unrealistic “sleeping arrangements” just to bump up GPs.
The new system places a size-based cap on how many people a home can realistically accommodate.
Homes with:
…will now receive more recognition in the formula.
In short: location + realistic capacity + add-on value.
HomeExchange outlined three pillars of the new system:
Your zip code determines whether you’re in:
Early reactions from urban hosts (especially those in global hotspots) are enthusiastic. One Redditor said:
“My downtown luxury condo has been undervalued forever. Finally some parity.”
But hosts in small tourist towns are worried. One wrote:
“My coastal town is insanely popular two months a year, but tiny the rest of the year. If they value annual tourism numbers, we’re screwed.”
Since HomeExchange doesn’t factor seasonality (they confirmed it on Facebook), this fear isn’t irrational.
The algorithm now limits how many “valid beds” a home can claim. That means:
Some members love this:
“Finally no more listing inflation. Good change.”
Others feel punished:
“My friend’s place is nearly identical to mine but gets double the points — for what?”
This is by FAR the most controversial part.
Homes that accept children or pets receive a GP boost, because these hosts take on added risk and responsibility.
Reactions are mixed:
Pro:
“It makes total sense — kids break stuff, pets add risk, hosts deserve compensation.”
Against:
“I don’t have space or conditions for kids. Why should I be penalized?”
This argument is fueling most of the Reddit fights right now.
Other amenities like bicycles, EV chargers, pools, saunas, accessibility features and eco-options will also factor in more than before.
Here’s the distilled sentiment from dozens of posts, across both platforms:
Central Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, London, and NYC hosts feel finally “seen” by the algorithm.
“My prime-location apartment being valued lower than random suburban houses was ridiculous.”
Beach, lake, ski, and mountain town hosts worry the formula ignores seasonality.
“People come here only in summer — but during those months it’s impossible to find accommodation. Will the algorithm understand that?”
HomeExchange confirmed no seasonality variable, meaning they won’t.
This is the most heated topic.
The new system rewards homes that:
But child-free hosts argue that:
One child-free user wrote:
“Why should I pay a ‘premium’ for not having kids in my home? It’s like a tax on my lifestyle.”
Counterpoints:
“You’re not being taxed — family-friendly homes get a bonus because it’s extra work and extra risk.”
It’s become a philosophical debate about what HomeExchange should incentivize.
Members with large GP balances (4,000–6,000+) are scared that:
One new parent wrote:
“We saved up 5,000 GPs before having a baby. If everything is revalued upward, we lose purchasing power.”
This concern is valid — it essentially mirrors inflation in real economies.
A common complaint:
“We don’t need a new GP system. We need working search, loading images, and message folders.”
Long-term users report that the platform’s technical issues remain a bigger pain point than GP fairness.
Here’s the reality: every algorithm creates winners and losers.
The shift favors general availability and amenity-rich living, which aligns with the most common traveler expectations today.
But yes — some hosts will feel the sting.
HomeExchange explicitly recommends:
Because the new value will be calculated automatically, your listing’s accuracy directly affects your new GP rate.
Opinion: Yes… but not instantly.
Here’s why:
It’s a structural improvement, but the execution will inevitably create friction.
The new GuestPoints formula is the biggest systemic change HomeExchange has made in years. It’s meant to modernize the platform, reduce loopholes, and better reflect real travel demand.
But the community reactions show:
Ultimately, the success of this overhaul will depend on whether the recalculated values actually feel fair.
If you’re a member, expect:
We’ll update this article again once the new values go live.
Travel Expert
Caitlin Boylan is an American travel writer who’s lived abroad since 2011 in Ireland, Vietnam, Australia, Czechia, England, and now Portugal. She writes about long-term living overseas, cultural immersion, and the messy, honest reality of a life built far from home — usually with a glass of wine in hand and a horse somewhere in the background.
