FAQS

Q: What is a Holiday Exchange?
A: Holiday Exchange is a mutual exchange of holiday homes, caravans, or boats, usually at the same time, for an agreed period. The main benefit of a Holiday Exchange is that both parties can experience various holiday locations for a fraction of the price of a package holiday. The exchanges can be local, national, or international and your chosen accommodation may be similar in size and type or totally different. The holiday exchange experience is designed to allow people to sample alternative holidays. E.g. somebody with a villa in the Caribbean may exchange holidays with somebody who owns a river boat in France.

The entire Holiday Exchange concept is built on trust and we encourage Holiday Exchange Club members to build relationships with each other in order to gain the most from Holiday Exchanges.


Q: Can anyone take part in a Holiday Exchange?
A: Anybody with some form of holiday accommodation can register with Holiday Exchange Club. If you own a Caravan please check site rules to ensure that other members can have the use of your caravan.


Q: Why can't I contact members without joining myself - and why do I have to pay a membership fee to join?
A: Holiday Exchange Club members want to be contacted by others who, by paying a small subscription fee and including their own exchange offers on the site, demonstrate a genuine interest in arranging exchanges. It is also reassuring to be able to view all exchange listings in full on the website before responding to offers.


Q: How can I search the Holiday Exchange Club database?
A: Simply access the main search page where you will be able to perform simple or more detailed searches dependant on your individual requirements.


Q: How many exchange opportunities are available?
A: When you perform a search the number of properties in each particular location will be shown. If you wish see the total number of listings then do not select any search criteria.


Q: How do I arrange a holiday exchange?
A: We have made arranging a holiday exchange as easy as possible. Simply search the listings for places of particular interest or respond to your email notifications. This will then allow you to contact your fellow Holiday Exchange Club member. Please feel free to contact more than one member before making your final decision. This will allow you to build relationships with other members whose properties, although you may not use them this time, you may use next year or in the future. However, please do remember that if you contact more than one member with a view to arranging an exchange you will need to notify all members that you do not exchange with that you have decided to exchange with another member on this occasion.


Q: Can I only arrange 1 exchange per membership year?
A: No. You may arrange as many exchanges as you like in any given time period.


Q: How can I tell how recently listings have been posted?
A: When you perform a search you will see the date which the property has been listed on. If there are any expiry dates for particular listings then these will also be shown. Whenever a new property is posted all Holiday Exchange Club members receive notification emails if the property listed is in a destination that they have expressed an interest in on their initial registration form.


Q: I have a family member who requires disabled access and we as a family would prefer accommodation belonging to a non-smoker. How do I find this?
A: You can perform a detailed search where you specify certain criteria, which is important to you and your party. The results shown will only include those properties with the relevant criteria that you desire.


Q: I do not live in the United Kingdom but see that your membership fees are in pounds sterling. Will the payment be deducted from my credit card in my own currency?
A: YES. Your Credit Card provider will apply their own conversion rate and charge you in your 'home' currency.


Q: Do you have a secure site for credit card payments?
A: YES. Our payment system is provided by PROTX.com and is totally secure.


Q: I would still prefer not to pay by credit card on the Internet. Is there another way I can pay?
A: Certainly. Either contact us by phone or email and we will send you a copy of the Holiday Exchange Club membership form to fill in. Simply return it to us with details of how you wish to pay and we will take care of the rest.


Q: Can I add photos to my listing?
A: Yes. Adding photos is an easy way to make your property more appealing to potential exchange partners. Follow the simple instructions below to upload digital images to accompany your property description:


1. Transfer your images from your digital camera to the desired location on your P.C.
2. Login in to the Holiday Exchange Club members’ area and select upload photos.
3. Follow the instructions to upload one photo at a time and then continue browsing the site as desired.


Q: I would like to exchange for longer than 2-3 weeks. Is this possible?
A: Whilst the majority of Holiday Exchange Club members will be looking to exchange accommodation for a 2-3 week period there are some who will be looking for longer (and shorter) exchanges. Members will have stated how long they wish to exchange for on their property details.


Q: I do not own a mansion in Barbados. Will any Holiday Exchange Club members wish to exchange with me?
A: Most Holiday Exchange Club members just want to experience a different sort of holiday. As long as your holiday accommodation is clean, and in a good state of repair then you should have no problems organising exchanges. Both parties will have the opportunities to exchange photos before the exchange takes place so realistically each party should have a very clear picture of the accommodation that they are going to be staying in well before they actually arrive at the destination. It does not matter if one property is worth much less or much more than the other. All that matters is that both parties have been honest, truthful, and know exactly what to expect when they arrive at their holiday destination.


Q: What about bills and expenses (such as water, electricity etc)?
A: This is completely at the discretion of both parties involved in the exchange, although, obviously both must agree. It will be significantly easier if both parties agree to pay their own bills as usual to avoid complications. It is highly unlikely that either party will run up bills high enough to make a significant difference to the usual utility bills.


Q: Is it safe to leave my holiday accommodation with people I do not know?
A: This is a perfectly natural thought and one which all Holiday Exchange Club members will experience at some point. However, during the time period which it takes to arrange your exchange you will have developed a relationship with your fellow member and exchanged details, pictures, emails, and ideas. Therefore by the time the actual exchange date arrives both parties should feel comfortable with each other and a sense of trust will have developed.


Q: What if I have any problems whilst on a Holiday Exchange?
A: Subject to both parties agreeing before the exchange takes place you could note each other’s mobile phone numbers enabling you to directly contact the owner of the property should the need arise. Alternatively you could call the Holiday Exchange Club and we will endeavour to help you in any way that we can.


Q: How can I be sure of having a successful exchange?
A: We cannot 100% guarantee that you will have a perfect Holiday Exchange experience. However, if you build up a degree of trust with the person you are exchanging with, if you are totally honest, if you both ensure that you are absolutely clear about the place which you are visiting, and by asking as many questions as necessary then you will dramatically improve your chances of having a great Holiday Exchange experience.


Q: What about damage to my home or property?
A: If your holiday home or the property within is damaged in any way then the person(s) who have caused the damage are liable to either replace the item or reimburse you fully for its replacement.


Q: What if my exchange partner cancels at the last minute?
A: If your exchange partner cancels the arrangement at the last minute then we would expect that they will still let you have the use of their Holiday home as agreed even though they will not be making use of yours at the same time, especially if you have already purchased airline tickets and booked time off work. Last minute cancellations tend to be for very serious matters such as family deaths or illnesses. In these circumstances we would ask that the Holiday Exchange Club members apply common sense and remember that both parties do not have to exchange properties at the same time, so perhaps the person who has had to cancel can make use of your holiday accommodation at a later date.


Q: I receive many enquiries, do I need to respond to all?
A: We do ask Holiday Exchange Club Members to reply in some way to all enquiries even if you cannot accept an offer of exchange at that time. This allows other members to continue with their exchange preparations.


Q: Any more questions?
A: If you have any more questions then please contact the Holiday Exchange Club at enquiries@holidayexchangeclub.com