Why does nobody talk about checking travel trade leads?

I learned this the hard way after a swap gone bad. Someone offered a great apartment exchange for my vacation. I agreed without seeing recent photos. The place was nothing like described, with broken appliances and noise issues. I had to cut my trip short because it was unlivable. Now I always ask for video tours and references. Don't let a good deal blind you to basic checks.

3 comments

3 Comments

henry_flores6d ago

My friend's Mexico City swap went sideways because of outdated pictures. She ended up in a construction zone with no hot water for a week. Your point about video tours is spot on, it's the only way to trust these deals now.

river9293d ago

Your video tours point hits home since a friend's "studio" swap was literally a hallway.

paulwilliams6d ago

Totally get the video tour thing. I got burned on a Barcelona swap where the "cozy studio" was basically a closet. Now I make hosts do a live video walkthrough, and I always ask them to point the phone out the window at the street view. It's awkward but it saves you.