THIRDHOME vs HomeExchange Collection: Pricing and Fees Compared
One club charges as you travel, the other once a year. We break down THIRDHOME's dues and exchange fees against a flat Collection membership.
If you own a second home or an exquisite primary residence, there are two well-known ways to trade it for stays in homes of a similar standard. Comparing THIRDHOME vs HomeExchange Collection starts with a simple question: what will a year of travel actually cost? The two clubs charge in very different ways. THIRDHOME combines annual dues with a fee every time you book. HomeExchange Collection charges one annual membership fee, whatever the number of exchanges.
This guide sets out each platform's fees as published in November 2026, models what a typical year costs, and explains the differences beyond price. THIRDHOME figures come from its own pricing page, FAQ and membership terms. Fees can change, so check them before you join either club.
Curious about Collection? Discover HomeExchange Collection membership and pricing.
In this article
- THIRDHOME vs HomeExchange Collection at a glance
- How THIRDHOME pricing works
- How HomeExchange Collection pricing works
- What a year of travel costs on each platform
- Beyond price: how the two models differ
- Which club fits the way you travel?
- Frequently asked questions
THIRDHOME vs HomeExchange Collection at a glance
The biggest difference is when you pay. THIRDHOME charges each time you travel. Collection members pay once a year and can organize unlimited exchanges.
THIRDHOME | HomeExchange Collection | |
|---|---|---|
Annual cost | $295 annual dues, starting the year after you enroll | $1,500 per year |
Fee per stay | $495 to $1,995, based on the Keys a stay requires | None: unlimited exchanges for the year |
Last-minute stays | Keyless bookings for the exchange fee plus $100 | Same membership, no added charge |
How exchanges work | Deposit weeks in your home to earn Keys, then spend them | Reciprocal exchanges or GuestPoints |
Who can join | Second homes valued at $500,000 or more | Homes assessed on 200+ factors, including design, amenities and location. Minimum value $1,500,000 |
Host damage protection | Up to $5 million per stay, through Truvi | Up to $3,000,000 |
All amounts in USD. THIRDHOME figures as published on its website in November 2026. Conditions apply to both clubs' protections.
How THIRDHOME pricing works
THIRDHOME is a members-only club for owners of second homes and luxury residence-club time. Its costs come in two parts: annual dues and a fee per stay.
THIRDHOME annual dues
All THIRDHOME members pay annual dues of $295. Its FAQ says there is no upfront membership fee. The dues apply from the January after you enroll, so your first calendar year carries no dues.
The dues are payable each January. If they are unpaid, the account moves to a limited status and you cannot book stays until they are paid.
THIRDHOME exchange fees
Each time you reserve a stay, you pay THIRDHOME an exchange fee. The fee depends on how many Keys, THIRDHOME's travel credits, the stay requires.
- A one-Key stay costs $495.
- Each additional Key adds $100. A three-Key stay costs $695.
- Stays of 16 Keys or more cost the maximum fee of $1,995.
One exchange covers a 3-, 4- or 7-night stay. A two-week stay therefore means two exchange fees and two sets of Keys.
Keyless bookings
THIRDHOME also offers last-minute stays that require no Keys. Its How It Works page describes these as stays starting within 60 days, available once you have added two weeks of your own home. Keyless stays cost the standard exchange fee plus $100, which puts them between $595 and $2,095.
Other charges to plan for
The exchange fee is not always the only cost of a THIRDHOME stay. Its terms make guests responsible for any amenity or resort fees shown on a property's listing. Some resort-based listings, for example, show daily housekeeping, gratuities and temporary resort memberships.
A few other charges are worth knowing:
- Guest changes: a $100 fee applies when someone other than you stays in the home, under the conditions in THIRDHOME's terms.
- Cancellations: guests generally do not get their exchange fee or Keys back. If the week is booked again by another member, THIRDHOME credits the Keys and half the fee.
- Annual deposit requirement: members must add at least one Key-earning week each year to keep full booking access.
How HomeExchange Collection pricing works
HomeExchange Collection membership costs $1,500 per year. It includes one full year of unlimited exchanges, with no hidden fees or restrictions.
One membership for the whole year
There is no fee per exchange. Whether you organize one exchange or five, the cost of your membership stays the same. That makes your travel budget simple to plan, even when you book homes in the world's most coveted destinations.
If you do not organize an exchange in your first year, your second year is free. Conditions apply. New members can also cancel for a full refund within 14 days, as long as no exchange has been finalized.
What your membership includes
Your membership gives you access to a community of 10,000+ exquisite homes, plus the 600,000+ homes on HomeExchange Classic. It also includes:
- Personalized support: a 24/7 phone line and Expert Exchange Assistance to help you find and organize exchanges.
- Protection: up to $3,000,000 in property damage protection, and a Cancellation and Non-Conformity Guarantee of up to $500 per night. See the guarantees and their conditions.
- Starter GuestPoints: new members receive 1,050 GuestPoints to help organize their first exchange.
- Privacy and presentation: customizable privacy settings and professional photo enhancement for your listing.
What you may still discuss with your host
HomeExchange Collection does not charge per exchange, but two practical details are worth knowing. Many hosts ask for a cleaning fee so you don't need to do a full clean before you leave. This is agreed between members before the exchange is pre-approved.
Members also authorize a $2,500 damage deposit. It is not debited automatically. A host can request part or all of it within 10 days of the exchange, and you are notified and asked to agree before any charge.
What a year of travel costs on each platform
On THIRDHOME, your annual cost rises with every stay you book. On HomeExchange Collection, it stays at $1,500 however often you travel. The table below shows a typical year from year two onward, when THIRDHOME's dues apply.
Stays per year | THIRDHOME (dues + exchange fees) | HomeExchange Collection |
|---|---|---|
1 | $790 to $2,290 | $1,500 |
2 | $1,285 to $4,285 | $1,500 |
3 | $1,780 to $6,280 | $1,500 |
THIRDHOME ranges use its lowest ($495) and highest ($1,995) exchange fees plus $295 annual dues. They exclude Keyless surcharges and any resort or amenity fees. Amounts in USD.
The pattern is clear. If you travel once a year in a lower-Key home, THIRDHOME can cost less. From two stays a year, or with higher-value homes, a flat Collection membership is often the lower and more predictable cost.
In your first THIRDHOME year, there are no dues. A single stay then costs only its exchange fee, from $495 to $1,995.
Beyond price: how the two models differ
Price is only part of the comparison. The way each club organizes exchanges shapes how you travel and how you share your home.
Keys versus reciprocal and GuestPoint exchanges
THIRDHOME is not a direct swap. You deposit weeks in your home to earn Keys, then spend them to book other members' homes. A home earns 1 to 5 Keys per week, with double Keys in peak weeks and triple in super-peak weeks. Earned Keys expire after 24 months.
HomeExchange Collection offers two ways to exchange. In a reciprocal exchange, you and another member stay in each other's homes. With GuestPoints, you host or stay at different times. Around 70% of Collection exchanges use GuestPoints, and most members are open to both.
Who can join
THIRDHOME is designed for second homes and residence-club time, with a minimum home value of $500,000. HomeExchange Collection has a refined selection process with a minimum home value of $1,500,000. Each home is assessed on more than 200 factors, including photos, home value, design, amenities and location and must be approved eligible to join.
Protections and guarantees
Both clubs protect hosts. THIRDHOME offers up to $5 million per stay for damage a guest does not repay, through its partner Truvi. HomeExchange Collection offers up to $3,000,000 in property damage protection.
The bigger difference is for guests. HomeExchange Collection's Cancellation and Non-Conformity Guarantee covers alternative accommodation, up to $500 per night depending on group size, if a host cancels or a home is not as described. THIRDHOME's terms make hosts responsible for refunding a guest when they fail to honor a booking.
Which club fits the way you travel?
The right choice depends on how often you travel and how you prefer to exchange.
- THIRDHOME may suit you if you own a second home, plan one stay a year and like a credit system tied to the weeks you deposit.
- HomeExchange Collection may suit you if you travel several times a year, want one predictable annual cost, and value personalized support and guest guarantees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does THIRDHOME cost per year?
THIRDHOME charges $295 in annual dues, starting the year after you enroll. You also pay an exchange fee of $495 to $1,995 for each stay, based on the Keys it requires.
Does HomeExchange Collection charge a fee per exchange?
No. HomeExchange Collection membership costs $1,500 per year and includes unlimited exchanges for the year, with no hidden fees or restrictions.
Is THIRDHOME a direct home swap?
No. THIRDHOME members deposit weeks in their own home to earn Keys, then use those Keys to book other members' homes. HomeExchange Collection offers both reciprocal exchanges and GuestPoint exchanges.
The bottom line
When you compare THIRDHOME vs HomeExchange Collection on pricing, the question is how you like to pay. THIRDHOME keeps the entry cost low and charges as you travel. HomeExchange Collection asks for one annual fee, then leaves you free to organize as many exchanges as your calendar allows.
Ready to explore? Discover HomeExchange Collection, or book a call with our team to learn more about the community.
