For travelers craving a unique and personal place to stay over the conventional luxuries of a brand-backed hotel, vacation rentals can provide the ultimate experience. Not only can you live like a local, often with more space and amenities than a standard hotel room provides, but you also have the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers on a more personal level (after all, you are staying in their home). And as HomeAway's Senior Vice President for the Americas Jon Gray explained, "You're getting a memory of where you stay versus a memory of where you go." But while choosing to rent a room or crash on someone's couch lends an unconventional element to your trip, renting doesn't necessarily guarantee the same security as a hotel. Though fraud is rare, the vacation rental industry's online platform and anonymous user community makes travelers inherently vulnerable to Internet scammers.
To help you navigate home exchange sites and understand the safeguards put in place by the companies themselves, U.S. News Travel spoke with experts at Couchsurfing, Airbnband HomeAway -- three sites that offer a wide spectrum of accommodation choices in a variety of destinations. Whether you're a first-timer nervous to ditch traditional lodging or an experienced host or guest, these tips will help you avoid scams and make the most of your stay.
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