Let’s talk about the Premium Trusted Housesitters membership. As experienced house sitters, we’ve always valued the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of Trusted Housesitters. But with several membership options to choose from, does it make sense to go for the top-tier option?
With our travel budget always at the forefront of our minds, Hannah and I initially started with the basic Trusted Housesitters membership. However after a close call during a house sit in Nashville, we realized the importance of upgrading to Premium.
A last-minute cancellation left us staring down the barrel of an expensive month paying for accommodation. Thankfully, the sit went ahead, but it was the nudge we needed to make the jump. Since then, the benefits of Premium Trusted Housesitters membership have proven to be worth every penny.
How Much is a Trusted Housesitters Membership?
Before I get into the benefits here are a few handy things to know. It is free to sign up and start browsing the many listings on Trusted Housesitters but to apply for house sits you need to become a paying member. There are 3 paid membership options – Basic, Standard, and Premium.
Standard is a bit of an anomaly because the price point between this option and Premium is so slight, and the benefits of going for the top-tier package are considerably greater. So, the purpose of this article is to help you decide whether to stick with the more affordable Basic option or go Premium.
Premium vs Basic
For hosts and pet parents, both options include unlimited exchanges but the Basic Membership costs $149/year. Premium membership costs $299/year.
For sitters, it is a little cheaper with Basic costing $129/year and Premium $259/year.
If you plan to both sit and host people a combined membership is also available. Basic is $209/year while Premium is $399. For a full breakdown of all the membership pros and cons please read my previous article – Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters.
Why Upgrade to Trusted Housesitters Premium?
When we made the decision to upgrade, it wasn’t just about avoiding future emergencies. Premium membership comes with a range of perks that enhance your house-sitting experience, whether you’re a homeowner or sitter. These features go beyond the basics to ensure greater security and peace of mind.
Here are some of the top benefits:
Sit Cancelation Plan
The top reason why we quickly upgraded to Premium was the sit cancelation plan. Whether a sitter or a homeowner, you’ll be covered by up to $1500 per confirmed sit if your stay gets interrupted, or a sitter cancels at the last minute.
This is an in-house policy that THS has and isn’t run through a third-party insurance agent so claims are handled directly and personally. Although we have never put in a claim, the peace of mind we get from knowing we are covered if a sit gets canceled is priceless.
Enhanced Listing Visibility
As a sitter, being noticed is key to securing the best opportunities. Premium membership boosts your profile visibility in searches, giving you an edge over others. Similarly, if you’re a homeowner, your listing appears higher in search results, attracting more applications from qualified sitters.
This visibility upgrade saves time and increases your chances of finding the perfect match. For us, it meant faster responses when searching for sits in popular locations, ensuring we could plan our travels more effectively.
Priority Support Access
When things go wrong, having quick access to help can make all the difference. Premium members enjoy priority support, meaning their queries are handled faster. Whether it’s a technical glitch or a more serious issue, you can rest assured that your concerns will be addressed promptly.
During our Nashville scare, we realized how valuable this would be. At the time, we were frantically refreshing the site and emailing support, hoping for a backup plan. With a Premium membership, we know we’d have received immediate assistance.
Insurance Protection
One of the standout Trusted Housesitters Premium perks is the inclusion of insurance coverage. Premium members are covered for accidental property damage and personal liability, providing an added layer of security for both sitters and homeowners.
Additionally, while some home insurance policies don’t allow for third parties to care for your home, Premium membership addresses this by including an additional cover of up to $1 million in home and contents cover.
While we’ve been fortunate enough to avoid any major mishaps, knowing we’re covered in case of an accident offers invaluable peace of mind. For homeowners, this feature can make the decision to welcome a stranger into their home much easier.
Boosted Communication Features
Communication is at the heart of every successful house sit. With a Trusted Houesitter’s Premium Membership, you gain access to unlimited video calls and messaging, making it easier to build trust and clarify expectations. This is a handy feature when communicating with international house sits.
You also get 24/7 phone and video calls with vets wherever you are in the world. As full-time sitters who are always taking care of people’s beloved pets, this is another aspect of the Premium membership that gives us reassurance, comfort, and peace of mind.
Verified Badges for Added Trust
The phrase “trust is everything” couldn’t be more true in house sitting. Premium members receive an additional verified badge, signaling to others that they’ve undergone extra checks. This small icon goes a long way in establishing credibility, particularly for new sitters or homeowners.
For us, having a verified badge has noticeably increased the number of invitations we receive. Homeowners appreciate knowing we’ve taken that extra step, and we’ve seen it make a difference when applying for competitive sits.
Airport Lounge Passes
Beyond the immediate benefits of the membership, a nice perk of going Premium is the two airport lounge passes every year. We occasionally splash out on a lounge, especially if we have a 3-hour or longer stopover in an airport.
Lounges with free drinks, food, WiFi, showers, and sometimes even a gym, are a great way to relax before flying. In my experience, the average cost of a lounge is around $50 pp, so with this one perk alone, upgrading makes financial sense.
Click here to learn more of our money-saving hacks while traveling.
Final Thoughts – Is Premium Worth It?
For us, the decision to upgrade was driven by necessity after our Nashville experience. While we didn’t end up stranded, the prospect of scrambling for last-minute accommodation was enough to convince us.
Since upgrading, we’ve seen firsthand how the benefits of Premium Trusted Housesitters membership enhance the overall experience. As long-term travelers who use house sitting for 95% of our accommodation, it makes sense to have additional cover, and going Premium is a valuable travel investment.
The peace of mind that comes with priority support and insurance coverage alone justifies the cost. Add to that the increased visibility, boosted communication features, and exclusive perks, and it’s clear why Premium membership is worth considering.
New To Trusted Housesitters?
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Owner’s permission has been given to use all photos in this post.