Comments on: How to Crush it on Couchsurfing

By: Chi’Chi

Chi’Chi — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:38:08 +0000

In reply to ned.

I feel you Ned. The way they locked the old profiles and won’t allow you to even look at them without paying is disheartening. It was an awesome site back in the day.

AirBnB was the first hammer that hit it. I remember seeing pioneer CSers switch to AirBnB in order to offer up their couch for very little. They still took people out and made friends but with a more streamlined app. (At that time CS didn’t have an app yet)

The change in CS status (switching to for-profit regardless of the excuses or issues with the IRS) and all the other small changes that came along was the other massive hit.

I don’t think it really mattered. 60% of the profiles were people that stopped or never checked their inbox. To be honest that trend in zombie profiles starting occurring well before the changes we are complaining about.

Maybe CS was a special idea for a moment in time and that moment has passed. At least in that formulation of it.

Ned, let me say one last thing…
CS was awesome and I met a lot of friends on there. Don’t hold a grudge because of the changes. Let the profile they took hostage go. That isn’t you. Create your own vision of what you want based on what you miss.

Last fun fact; did you know CS had a camp for many years at Burning Man? This was about a decade ago. They even had this cool art car. Picture a bunch of couches in a mountain like mold rolling around on big wheels. It broke down a lot but you could still crash on it in the middle of the Playa, working order or not. Sofa King James was the camp leader. He made mean margaritas. Good times. Good memories. Go make some new ones and don’t look back. Peace!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 18:36:53 +0000

In reply to Pratik. Mentioning you're traveling as a couple when you submit a request is fine!

By: Pratik

Pratik — Fri, 28 May 2021 19:10:11 +0000

When travelling as a couple do I have to signup as a couple or just mention that we are a couple when placing request with the host?

By: Bart Diks

Bart Diks — Fri, 14 May 2021 11:02:03 +0000

I just found a new one, Couchers.org

By: ned

ned — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 04:20:41 +0000

Couchsurfing (the company) should burn in hell for the way they handled their site and force users (both hosts and travellers) to PAY! to even enter the app, they took ransom all of our profiles and broke their forever free promise while they made money off our backs.
they should never be trusted!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 03:03:05 +0000

There isn’t much support for verification, or any evidence it increases ones chances of been hosted. The sign up process makes you look like you have to verify….you don’t. Don’t forget to cancel verification if you no longer need it – as issues have emerged – https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.couchsurfing.com

By: Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 07:17:26 +0000

Great read. I wonder what couchsurfing will look like in the era of COVID…

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 01:30:00 +0000

Great tips for traveling on a budget. So many people don’t travel because of the high costs but this is a great hack to save money. Thank you.

By: John In Cumbria

John In Cumbria — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:35:28 +0000

Perhaps my idea on couchsurfing is a little dated, I always thought that the initial concept of it was to provide accommodation to budget travellers going to those places where it was difficult to find or just prohibitively expensive. Thus it allowed backpackers and the like travel options to places they ordinarily would not consider. Of course the cultural exchange is another facet to it, as is reciprocating. I have no problem with hosting people for a week or more once I have absorbed a concise, fully compiled profile that grabs my interest, usually with or sometimes without references. Gone are the days when packers claimed to exist on $5 a day so I am comfortable with anyone stopping by for economic reasons, they usually turn out to be fun people.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 23:29:53 +0000

In reply to Heather. I've had several females message me expressing their concerns! We've hosted tons of female travelers whop shared this same fear! Just have to find someone who matches your needs and be open about it!