A Globe is a token that represents one home exchange stay, regardless of its length. The duration is entirely up to the host and guest to agree upon.
Here’s how it works:
Let’s say Peter wants to stay at Anna’s home. Anna’s home is available, and she’s happy to host, but she’s not interested in visiting Peter’s destination in return.
Instead of a direct swap, Peter gives Anna a Globe. Now, Anna holds a Globe, which she can use later to stay at someone else’s home, perhaps Katerina’s.
Let’s say Peter wants to stay at Anna’s home. Anna’s home is available, and she’s happy to host, but she’s not interested in visiting Peter’s destination in return. Peter has an unlocked Globe available, earned from an earlier exchange.
Instead of a direct swap, Peter gives Anna his Globe. Now, Anna holds a Globe, which she can use later to stay at someone else’s home, perhaps Katerina’s.
Globe exchanges work like a chain:
Peter → Anna → Katerina → …
Each Globe is valid for one stay and can be saved or used anytime.
✅ Flexible length
✅ Accumulable — host multiple guests and earn multiple Globes
✅ No expiration
No, Globes are not used for reciprocal exchanges, neither simultaneous nor non-simultaneous.
There are two ways to earn Globes with People Like Us:
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 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), when you renew your Premium membership.
No, neither can be purchased.
Globes are worth a stay. The duration of the stay are worked out between you and your exchange partner.
A Globe is worth one stay. It is not possible to transfer more than one Globe for a stay.
No, both Globes and Plutos are the same for all our members' homes.
No. After assessing the offer and talking to the other member, you should make your own choice about whether or not to accept the exchange.
Yes. If you don't want to use Globes/Plutos, there is an option on your membership profile. If you take this option, you will not see any information about Globes and Plutos. It is not possible to opt out of just one of the token types.
Globes don't expire while ever you maintain a Premium membership.
Yes, absolutely. It doesn't matter which home was used to receive the Globe or Pluto/s; they are attached to your membership and can be used with either home.
While PLU uses Globes to facilitate non-reciprocal exchanges, the website mostly promotes reciprocal exchange, either simultaneous or non-simultaneous.
The numbers of Globes and Plutos in the system are kept in balance to ensure that they are highly valued.
Globes and Plutos can be earned by hosting a member who has one. If the person wanting to stay does not have one, consider instead offering an open-ended non-simultaneous exchange and stay at their place in future.
On the main menu under Exchanging / Globes and Plutos. They're also shown at the bottom of your membership profile.
No, you must be Premium to use Globes and Plutos.
They are transferred immediately when the exchange is finalised so you can use them to propose a new exchange.
A Pluto is just like a Globe—but specifically designed for short stays of 1 to 3 nights. It’s the perfect solution for weekend getaways, quick visits to friends or family, or just a change of scenery. You can earn Plutos by hosting short stays without immediate reciprocity.
Plutos can be accumulated and combined: for example, two Plutos may be used for a stay of up to six nights, if agreed by the host.
Members can swap a locked Globe (awarded upon joining PLU Premium) into one Pluto, providing immediate utility for new members.
Katerina is new to PLU and excited to get started. While planning her big summer trip, she decides to host Daniel for a 2-night weekend stay. Since this isn’t a reciprocal exchange, Katerina gets a Pluto from Daniel.
Later, she uses that Pluto to stay near her son’s university by offering it to Rachel, who lives nearby.
✅ 1–3 night stays
✅ Accumulable — collect more Plutos with each short hosting
✅ Can use more than one for a stay— e.g., 2 Plutos = up to 6 nights, if the host agrees
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 and unlocked their 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.
Yes!
✅ 1 Globe = 3 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.
No, Plutos cannot be combined into Globes, but if you swapped a Globe and made a mistake, contact us in Member Support.
Plutos are worth a short stay. The duration of the stay is between 1-3 days. You can offer multiple Plutos to extend your stay a little longer if you have them.
Plutos don't expire while you maintain a Premium membership.