How I travelled Europe for six months, almost for free, thanks to points and TrustedHousesitters

2023 was the year two of my friends decided to get married. Great news, except for one tiny detail. The weddings were in Italy and Georgia, halfway across the world.

I had just launched my startup, helping Kiwi and Aussie professionals moving to London meet recruiters Next Stop London, so cash was tight, and the thought of attending two destination weddings seemed like an impossible dream. But being the good friend I am, I started researching the most cost-effective way to make it happen.

The flights were the easy part. Six months earlier, I had signed up for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, which knocked $450 off my one-way flight to London. For the return trip, I cashed in points from the same card to book my flight. I just paid taxes and a little extra for some much-needed legroom.

With flights sorted, my biggest expense was now staring me in the face: accommodation. While venting to my partner during a video call, she mentioned something that would change my life: TrustedHousesitters.

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This article is brought to you in partnership with TrustedHousesitters, a Point Hacks commercial partner. Please make sure to do your own research on any work visa requirements that you may need to participate in TrustedHousesitters.

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Take care of pets, and the owners take care of you

As the name suggests, TrustedHousesitters is a website where ‘House Sitters’ can set up an account and stay at other people’s homes while taking care of their pets.

Though my pet experience was limited to owning a cat named Bing (RIP), I’ve always been fond of dogs. And if a horse ever needed care, I figured I could learn on the job. I’d occasionally babysat friends’ dogs, and I even had a few selfies with them from my old dating profile days. In other words, enough to put together a convincing TrustedHousesitters profile.

Setting up an account is free. To stay at a home and contact homeowners, you’ll need at least the basic membership, which costs AU$109 (minus a 25% saving when you enter promo code PH25). I figured I’d make that back in savings after just one night—and I was right.

Over the next six months, I house-sat across the UK. I stayed in charming cottages in Wiltshire, a three-story house in Hackney, and, most impressively, a mansion in the Cotswolds. This wasn’t just any mansion – it had two private lakes, and I was caring for two corgis that were related to the Queen’s own corgis. I even ended up partying with Bill Murray on one of my sits, but that’s another story.

TrustedHousesitters isn’t just limited to the UK. Upon returning to Australia, I snagged more free accommodation while flat hunting with my wife. And just last week, I heard from a friend who’s house-sitting a cat in Greece – for a month!

Top tips for making the most of TrustedHousesitters

• Leverage your pet experience: Whether it’s dogs, cats, or even horses, highlight any experience you have.
• Get great photos with pets: Homeowners love to see that you’re comfortable and happy around animals.
• Be yourself: People love Aussies (or Kiwis, in my case), so let your personality shine through.
• Get friends to leave you your first three reviews: A little social proof goes a long way.

Here’s why I think upgrading to the Premium membership (with promo code PH25) is worth it:

• Two free lounge passes for those pre-sit airport waits.
• Sit cancellation coverage of up to $2,000 if a homeowner cancels on you.
• A Premium badge that makes your applications stand out.
• Accidental damage: The Home & Contents Plans cover accidental damage in your home.
• Free video calls with vets in case anything goes wrong with the pets.

For a 25% discount, use Point Hacks’ exclusive link, enter promo code PH25, and start your own TrustedHousesitters adventure today!

Photography by Dave Thomas.

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