Globes & Plutos: Everything You Need to Know About Non-Reciprocal Exchanges at People Like Us

Introducing GLOBES and PLUTOS: Home exchange just got even more flexible

At People Like Us, we love a classic reciprocal home exchange—that’s where the magic started! You go to someone’s place, they come to yours, and everyone gets a change of scenery (and maybe a different coffee machine to figure out).

But sometimes, life doesn’t sync up so perfectly. Maybe someone wants to come to your place, but you're not ready to travel yet. Or you find your dream listing, but the host isn’t interested in visiting your town right now. What then?

That’s where Globes and Plutos come in! They're our smart, flexible way to make non-reciprocal exchanges possible while keeping things fair and community-based.

 

So, what’s a Globe?

A Globe is a token representing one home exchange stay, no matter how long. It’s not about nights or miles; it’s about trust and the value of sharing your home with another member.

Let’s break it down:

If you host someone without them hosting you back, they may offer you their Globe.

Later, you can offer that Globe to stay in someone else’s home, even if they don’t want to come to yours.

The length of stay is up to you and the host—whether it’s 4 nights, 2 weeks, or more.

You can accumulate Globes by hosting multiple times, and each Globe is worth one stay, regardless of how long that stay is.

 

💡 Think of it like this: A Globe is your golden ticket to a future adventure.

 

Introducing… Plutos!

Here’s where it gets interesting—and frankly, we think you will love this. Sometimes, you want a quick escape: a weekend by the beach, a city break, a visit to your uni kid. But trading a full Globe for just 2 nights? That’s like watering a small houseplant with a fire hose.

So we created Plutos—the short-stay siblings of Globes.

What makes Plutos special?

A Pluto is valid for a stay of 1 to 3 nights.

Just like Globes, you earn a Pluto from another member when you host without reciprocity—for a short stay.

Plutos can be saved and exchanged for 1–3 night home stays—simple and flexible.

Want to stay longer? Use more than one Pluto! (e.g., 2 Plutos = up to 6 nights, if your host agrees.)

 

🤓 Fun fact: You can exchange 1 Globe for 3 Plutos. Perfect if you prefer to break down your one-stay Globe into 3 weekend adventures.

 

How Do You Get Globes and Plutos?

 

There are two ways to earn Globes:

  1. Host without reciprocity
    When you host another member and they’re not hosting you in return, they can offer you a Globe in exchange for their stay.
  2. Premium Membership Welcome Globe
  • When you become a Premium member, you automatically receive a locked Globe, which will be unlocked in one of two ways:
  • By hosting a fellow member for at least 5 nights within your first year of membership.
  • Automatically on your membership renewal date (after one year), if you choose to renew your Premium membership. 

There are four ways to earn Plutos: 

  1. Host for a short stay (1 to 3 nights)
    If you host someone without reciprocity for a short stay, your guest can offer you a Pluto in return
  2. Renew your membership. Renewing members who have already received a Membership Globe will instead earn a Pluto.
  3. Swap an unlocked Globe for 3 Plutos
  4. Swap your Membership Globe. As a new Premium member, you receive a locked Globe. You can choose to swap that Globe for a Pluto, which will be available to use immediately.

🔁 Can You Swap Between Globes and Plutos?

Yes! Well, sort of.

✅ One Globe = Three Plutos

You can exchange one Globe for three Plutos at any time. This is perfect if you’d like to enjoy three shorter stays instead of one longer one.

Plutos cannot be exchanged for Globes. Since Plutos are designed for short stays, they cannot be upgraded or combined into a Globe.



🏡 Why Does This Matter?

We heard you loud and clear: Sometimes you want to host or travel without things lining up perfectly. Globes and Plutos give you more flexibility, more freedom, and more ways to participate in this incredible community.

Got a free weekend? Host someone and earn a Pluto.

Need a vacation but no one’s coming your way? Use a Globe.

Not ready to travel far? Stack some Plutos and plan local adventures.

It’s all about keeping home exchange easy, flexible, and fair—for People Like Us.

 

💬 Still have questions?

Come chat with us in the People Like Us Facebook group, reach out to our Member Support Team, or just start exploring the map for your next exchange.

Whether it’s a Globe-worthy summer escape or a quick Pluto-powered weekend trip, we’re here to help you make it happen.

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Alexandra

My husband Patrice and myself are experienced home exchangers and we love it. We are dreaming of a time when we will be able to travel the world and home exchange... all year round. We are starting slowly, one exchange at a time
LGBTQ+ Friendly Remote Worker
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