Kindred

We’re launching something special at Kindred. We’re officially casting two single, charismatic women — one in the US and one in the EU — for a rom-com inspired by our favorite movie, The Holiday. For 12 days, you’ll swap homes, document your experience, and let viewers follow along as you step into a new city, new routines, and maybe even a new connection. We’ll handle the flights and lodging. You handle the storytelling, self-filming, and sense of adventure. If this sounds like you, or someone you know who could use a meaningful change of scenery, you can learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dHwKb6sM

Forbes spotlights Kindred as “travel’s affordable third option” — a powerful recognition of how home swapping is emerging as a real alternative to hotels and short-term rentals. This comes as Kindred releases its 2026 Global Travel Forecast, revealing that 61% of respondents named affordability as their top motivator when planning trips for the year ahead, signaling a clear shift toward a more economical way to see the world. As CEO and Co-founder Justine Palefsky puts it, “Affordability has always mattered, but it’s now the leading driver of travel decisions. People aren’t traveling less — they’re traveling smarter.” She continues: “There’s still work to do in educating consumers on the benefits of home swapping. We’re starting to shift the way people think about travel to unlock destinations and experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach — enabling a richer, more frequent travel lifestyle, without the cost being a barrier.” Co-founder Tasneem Amina adds how the model works, “We’ve built a true exchange model, meaning that one night hosted equals one night you can book, regardless of home size or value. Hosting someone in your real home is an act of real vulnerability and generosity, regardless of your home's size. We wanted to reward that act of vulnerability equally.” Take a read of the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dpnZUhis >

During TechCrunch Disrupt, Cheddar sat down with co-founders Justine Palefsky and Tasneem Amina to talk about the origins of Kindred and the trends shaping how we’ll travel in 2026 and beyond. Check out the interview to learn more!: https://lnkd.in/dnEXVr-F

“Kindred to me is flexibility. It’s compassionate people that truly understand the value of being welcome into someone else’s home.” — Andrew Schleeter, Kindred Member, New York City Every member brings something unique to Kindred — their story, their home, their way of seeing the world. Andrew’s perspective is a reminder that home swapping isn’t just about where you stay, but how you’re welcomed.

Kindred isn’t just a way to travel — it’s a community rooted in trust and belonging. At TechCrunch Disrupt Conference, co-founders Justine Palefsky and Tasneem Amina shared how they're building a movement that’s redefining what community-led growth can look like. Drawing on their own journey building Kindred, they explored how brands can scale with integrity — where values, trust, and connection guide every decision.

Something spooky has arrived in Brooklyn. This week, we are celebrating homes with soul by transforming the exterior of a beloved Kindred home into a festive Kindred Spirits installation. If you find yourself wandering through the neighborhood, keep an eye out for playful details, a few friendly ghosts, and a home that feels like it has stories to tell. Stop by, snap a photo, share the moment, and feel the magic of what home swapping can unlock. The adventure lives right on this block: 59 Felix St Brooklyn, New York Oct 29 - 31st Happy spooky season from Kindred.

Meagan Cignoli, an artist and longtime home swapper, shared how Kindred has unlocked a life of more travel, more creativity, and more time in places that feel like home. Her one bedroom apartment in New York has opened the doors to premium homes in Greece, Mexico, California, and beyond. Kindred exists to make travel more accessible, more human, and more rooted in community. Stories like Meagan’s remind us why this category matters and why the future of travel should feel like home. Read the full feature on Business Insider: https://lnkd.in/djixwN6k

Proud to share this standalone feature in Business Insider where Kindred members Priya and Meagan share how home swapping has completely transformed the way they travel. As Priya shares: “It feels like I’m staying in a friend’s house while they’re away.” Kindred’s co-founder and CEO Justine Palefsky adds: “Home swapping allows the relationship to feel much more like a social contract instead of a financial contract.” From a growing global community to more meaningful stays, we’re proving that travel can be affordable, authentic, and community-driven. Dive in here: https://lnkd.in/dDqn-N7q

Traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely. Kindred co-founder and CEO Justine Palefsky shares her perspective in HuffPost’s new feature, “9 Mistakes Solo Female Travelers Make”. Her advice? Channel your inner Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz in “The Holiday” and home swap to save on accommodations. She continues: "Even without being part of a formal community network, solo female travelers can find connection through activities as simple as becoming a regular at a nearby café, joining a pilates studio or signing up for an art class". A great reminder that connection, not cost, is what makes travel meaningful. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dncbbzZE