I’m considering upgrading my membership because I’ve had homeowners cancel at the last minute before. For my next sitting, an overseas friend is joining me, and he’s already bought his ticket after we got confirmed. Because of my past experience with cancellations, I want to make sure we’re covered if the homeowner cancels.
Does anyone have first hand experience with using the plan? Was it easy, or did THS try to avoid paying? How long does it take them to approve the request once you submit a form?
Anything else I need to know about the premium membership?
Hello @Lilywize
I’ve had some experience with the premium plan, having filed four claims from July and August - all due to cancellations or changes caused by homeowners; One claim was for the cancellation of an entire housesit, while the other three were due to date changes (one of them was during the sit).
Two of these claims were dismissed because the $150 fee per claim exceeded the potential payout. I’m still waiting on payment for the remaining claims…
Navigating the claims process involved considerable back-and-forth with support to obtain the correct information and email for the first claim, which felt unprofessional compared to typical insurance processes.
Support is generally quick to suggest cancellations or that you “may be able to make a claim” as a premium member when issues arise. However, this recommendation does not guarantee coverage (as was the case for half of my claims).
Additionally, you are still charged the $150 fee per claim even if you are NOT the partie causing the date changes or cancellations.
It’s also important to note that claims for cancellations with more than 14 days’ notice are not covered. The plan covers accommodation costs up to $150 per night, but only if the accommodation is within 20 miles of the canceled housesit. Travel expenses are NOT covered.
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If your ‘overseas friend’ is not a THS member they won’t be covered at all.
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It was easy as long as you followed the Ts & Cs @Lilywize - the caveats being - maximum of $150 a night; $150 excess to be paid; max of $1500 total for claim; new accom to be within 20 miles of the original sit; accomm only is covered NO flights or transport; definitely nothing on insurance for a “friend” not the THS member; screenshots of all evidence, comms send booking; register the claim within 24 hour of sit cancellation. Sure there are a few more but that a good starter! That said $45 upgrade fee was well with it and the free lounge passes have also been great. #premiumperks
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I’ve made sure any expensive travel arrangements have been refundable as I was worried about cancellations. All mine so far have been expensive ferries but not sure with flights if refundable flights are an option as it’s been a while since I flew. I think you have to accept this might happen and be prepared to make alternative arrangements at your own cost as my opinion is the premium membership offers fairly limited cover.
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I read the rules and conditions of the plan, so I know about everything: the 14 days, the 20 miles, the $150 out of pocket, and the $150 per night limit.
That is okay. The rules are the rules and they are disclosed in advance.
My concern is: if the cancellation meets the conditions, how easy (or hard) it is to get the reimbursement.
Because they repeat SO MANY TIMES in their varbiage that it is “at their discretion” and out of the kindness of their heart, (which stands in contrast to the fact that you are paying a premium for it), that it sounds like their goal is to take your money for the membership and then put in an effort NOT to help cover you in case of a cancellation.
I’m trying to figure out if my gut feeling about it is right.
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We share a profile, what else do we need to do?
Does a couple pay differently than a single on the platform?
Also, if I am covered and they pay for my hotel room I can share my room with whomever I wish, can’t I?
My friend is listed on my profile in the section that asks if I am traveling alone or with someone else.
Are couples supposed to pay separately for a membership for each?
We are romantic partners, not that it is anyone’s business…
Both our names appear on the header of the profile, the HO interviewed both of us, and we are both responsible for the welfare of the pets and house.
Thanks. I think you are missing my point.
If the sitting is cancelled we will stay in a hotel/Airbnb.
The question was “is the premium membership worth it.”
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The premium plan is a paid service and product, governed by the same e-commerce laws, consumer protection regulations, and insurance standards as any other business.
If it were offered out of pure goodwill, it would naturally be free. Like any platform, THS must comply with these legal requirements.
My first claim was approved 25 days ago, and despite being told that the bank process would take up to 10 days, I have yet to receive any reimbursement.
Given that THS is founded and based in the UK and my bank is a UK bank, this delay is concerning.
Therefore, at this point, it is difficult to recommend the premium plan.
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We had the full reimbursement within 14 days @Lilywize - I chased the claim twice. We were given the option of a UK
or Turkish account for the funds. It was straightforward & was this July. Your other three additional questions aren’t addressed to anyone specific so not sure who you are asking? Yes, the two of you are covered as a couple membership. Yes, it’s for one room. Yes, an Airbnb or hotel is okay but something more casual without an “official” receipt isn’t. Hope that helps. #speedyish
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Thank you to anyone who chimed in. What I heard so far confirmed my suspicion that it is probably not with it… they are selling the product, but the terms and conditions make it clear they will not make it easy actually to use this paid product.
I have plenty of experience reading between the lines, and that is what I thought when I read the disclosures.
As for the distance from the sitter’s home, I have a formal address: the house I used to live in with my ex-husband before he became my ex.
Since I don’t have a permanent address, I have to keep this one as my official address.
We get along great, and when I have a night or two between sits, I stay in the guest bedroom so I can spend time with our amazing furbabies. But it is his house now, and I can’t stay there for too long. I am sure it is easy to understand how awkward it could get to be a guest in my former home out of the kindness of my ex’s heart.
I am not complaining; I enjoy the freedom of my current nomadic lifestyle, but even if a local sitting gets canceled, I have to get paid accommodations.
It’s not the distance from the sitter’s home, it’s the distance from the address of the sit that has been cancelled. The hotel or Airbnb you choose must be less than 20 miles from that @Lilywize #weirdruletho
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I realize that. Thanks.
But I am thinking that if the sitting is very close to my legal address, they might say that I can stay in my home, so why should they pay.
However, in my situation my formal address is NOT a place I can stay at.
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@Lilywize If you cant stay in your own home, for whatever reason, it would be the same as if you were in another country and the sit got canceled.
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We are dropping our premium membership. First of all, $1,500 is not that much if our international sit is cancelled, and secondly it does not even cover anything unless the sit is cancelled 14 days or less in advance. For any sit we have to fly to, we would buy our air tickets far more than 14 days in advance, and would likely want to visit the area anyway. So for us, if a sit gets cancelled, we would just suck it up and visit the area anyway as planned, or we would cancel our trip. Most airlines will give you a credit with one year to use it.
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Solo sitter here.
I have premium, I had two referrals that added 4 months. It seems that it extends as premium and extends the time to use lounge passes and to use the insurance.
Correct ?
Also, I used the 2 lounge passes valued at $35 each so this made the difference between standard and premium $20 .
Plus, it happens that I did use the insurance within the year. It fit all the requirements and I had all the info that was needed to qualify. The stipulations are narrow but with only a $20 difference (when using both lounge passes) I find it worth it that I could possibly meet the perimeters for claiming the insurance if a sit gets canceled.
I received the refund in a months time.
Note: the USA lounge pass locations are limited.
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I decided to get the premium membership.
I have a sit starting tomorrow, and a hurricane is possibly heading our way, so I’m concerned that the HOs’ flight might get canceled.
Spending a few nights at a hotel if that happens is much better than paying for accommodations out of pocket or asking my ex-husband to stay at his place for a week…
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@Lilywize we also have the Premium
For peace of mind as we previously have had two sits curtailed.
Just to be aware you pay upfront for alternative accommodation ( which must be within 20 miles of the sit ) and then make a claim for reimbursement which can take some time .
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