Cancellations have been discussed on the forum recently. There is always a lot of advice about having a plan B.
Here are some of things that I do. Maybe other members could add a few practical suggestions too.
I only sit within Europe where budget airlines are plentiful. When booking flights I only book the flight and wait until the last minute to add on a bag. So if I end up not flying it’s not such a big loss, often the bag costs more than the flight.
If booking buses or trains it is often possible to pay extra to get tickets with a cancellation option so depending on the price I consider this.
In the event that I am already going to be in the country I book accommodation with free cancellation to have as a standby. Obviously you need to be sure to remember to cancel it in time. Booking accommodation ahead of time means you can usually get a better price than if you are panicking and looking for somewhere at the last minute. If you book several places for short periods of time then, if you manage to pick up another sit after a couple of days, you can cancel the subsequent bookings. Hope that makes sense.
@anon55123711, great question. THS does not publish statistics on sit cancellations (e.g. number, pet parent vs housesitter, etc). Two Pet Parents have cancelled our international confirmed sits on the start date, after we were in country.
Our backup plan suggestions
If you housesit a lot then the premium membership, that includes Sit Cancellation Insurance, is probably good value for money
Carefully read and understand the key policy terms of THS Sit Cancellation Insurance. There are quirks that may impact expectations and execution.
A backup plan may focus on the nature of alternative accommodation. Are you likely to be eligible for THS insurance? Or require private alternative?
Recognize that THS Sit Cancellation Insurance applies very differently dependent on geography of sit location. If there are lots of alternative sits within 20 miles (say US, UK) then THS insurance is void. If you are sitting in Europe then the probability of local alternative sits is much less (so THS insurance likely eligible).
Recognize that THS insurance only applies if sit cancelled within 14 days of start date. Before that, there is zero coverage. If this is important, mark such dates on a calendar.
Recognize that THS insurance requires alternative accommodation to be within 20 miles of sit location. So if you’ve confirmed a sit that requires an international flight then THS insurance requires alternative accommodation to be near sit location rather than near your home or origin location.
Recognize that stuff happens. We try hard not to over-optimize housesitting. It offers us a whole lot of adventure and pleasure. But sometimes it does not work.
Nr. 2, 5W, is an organisation where the members get to know each other via communicating ahead of visiting each other. Visit each other, not getting housing - but friendships. I know members there, and it is a big frustration that they get new members that think they can call «cold» to get a bed.
This is not saying it couldn’t be a good idea to join for THS female travellers. The ethos of getting to know women in other countries and possibly visit in the future could well be a great parallell to THS travelling.
Couchsurfing is sort of the same. You are supposed to engage with the host, get to know each other, talk… I saw it mentioned here (member currently not active, I think, so won’t link), as couchsurfing guests didn’t understand the ethos.
I’m a 5Wmember here in Brighton and would be willing to help a member caught locally in an emergency…and yes generally speaking people text me they’re planning to be in the City and we meet up for lunch or spend the day together or I offer a free guided tour. It’s flexible. Some THS members are also 5W members and when sitting in a new location will contact me via 5W to meet up.
So if I’ve carefully screened and picked a sit, the insurance says I have to take any sit within 20 miles regardless of my sit criteria, dates, animals, responsibilities, public transport etc etc. Currently sitting in the UK and although there are lots of sits available there are lots I wouldn’t apply for. Not sure the insurance would be worth it.
I don’t think the insurance is worth it and in 102 sits have only been cancelled twice. The first time because the dog unexpectedly died 2 weeks before the sit was due to start. On that occasion I got a replacement sit. The second time was the start of covid. I was in Australia so flew home before getting locked down in Brisbane.
I think it is important to have an emergency fund. Save up some money to a time where you are in distress. On a separate account, that is not to be touched until you are in need. Unless your financial situation is so that you could well back out and get a hotel.
I have said it in other topics. I feel that the lack of choices make sitters put themselves in vulnerable situations. You are more likely to ignore red flags, more likely to try to please and resign from the role of «equal partner», take abuse and endure too long. So my number 1 tip would be to «know your worth». Don’t sell yourself short. Be aware when you choose what to apply for and when to pull out. Be aware if you know you want to be nice (which is good) and practice being clear in what your criterias are, what you look for, when you pull out.
It seems bad sits have been slippery slopes and afterwards, there could have been signs, but you wanted so much to make the other party happy that you forgot yourself. A «good match» means that you too get a good experience.
@Smiley, fair enough. While we’d hoot for joy if THS enhanced the terms of its sit cancellation policy then we perceive it as worthwhile. Suspect this may depend on whether someone housesits occasionally or full-time, or whether someone housesits in geographies with abundant alternative housesits.
Our successful THS Sit Cancellation Insurance claim last year in the Schengen zone resulted in receipt of approximately US$1,000.
Irrespective of money, perhaps due to us housesitting extensively in Schengen zone, we now find that the THS Sit Cancellation Insurance gives us limited peace of mind. It has considerable limitations but better than nothing.
I’ve been a member for a few years and have met with some really nice ladies. I always look to see if there are any members near where I am pet sitting.
Just this past week I met with 4 members in Belgium.
We upgraded to Premium for the Sit Cancellation Plan after experiencing a sit that was curtailed due to the hosts becoming seriously ill and having to be medi- vacced home . So understandably the sit was cut short . On that occasion we decided to return to our home which was a 3.5 hour drive away .
Since we had several more sits confirmed we felt that upgrading to Premium to have some cover in place for last minute cancellations would be worthwhile for us . We also ensure that we have enough credit available on credit card in order to pay for alternative accommodation upfront if required.
A year later we encountered a similar situation where a 22 day sit abruptly ended on day 5 . This time we made a claim with THS for local alternative accommodation for 10 nights (£ ) which was approved and paid in 14 days. During that period we applied and confirmed another sit in the area which covered the remaining days of the original sit .
More detail on our experience of making a claim is here :
The third occasion that a sit was curtailed by the host arriving back early , we went to stay with friends who we had been planning to visit after the trip , we just went earlier .
Even with the Sit Cancellation Plan you need to be resourceful/ comfortable with a last minute change of plans and with finding and pay upfront for alternative accommodation yourself and mindful that $150 is deducted from the amount you can reclaim.
HO here. We had to cancel a sit this spring when a health emergency caused us to cancel a trip. (Luckily it was resolved, but still we had to cancel a 4 week trip!) We paid the sitter for his expenses: mileage to/from his home about 200 miles away and a night in a hotel. We felt it was only fair.
