Couchsurfing Reviews 

824
•
TrustScore 1 out of 5

1.2

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 69 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. People find the updated website and mobile application cluttered, difficult to navigate, and lacking essential filtering tools needed to find hosts. Reviewers noted that the platform has shifted away from its original purpose, now resembling a dating service rather than a genuine travel community. Some reviewers were not happy with unexpected charges and sudden blocks on their account access. Consumers mentioned that previously purchased lifetime memberships were disregarded after the recent platform updates and redesigns. Users are being forced into paid subscriptions just to log in and view their personal data or messages.

What people talk about most

Website

Consumers find website disappointment overwhelming due to a disastrous redesign that made the platform... See more

User experience

Clients share negative opinions on user experience, highlighting that recent updates have made the platform... See more

Payment

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of payment, frequently reporting frustration with unexpected charges and... See more

Subscription

Customers consistently note negative experiences with subscription, expressing widespread frustration over... See more

Application

People report negative experiences with application, expressing widespread dissatisfaction over recent... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What happened to the couchsurfing we used to know? I tried to log in because I wanted to see my old trips and reviews... instead was forced through an onboarding I couldn't skip, made to pay at the en... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I can confirm the sneaky verification charges which seems like a sc7m. At no point through the 'vetification' the amount charges is clearly stated. Luckily I paid through Payal and recovered the cha... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My account was suddenly blocked without any explanation or warning, even though I had paid for one year's verification. Very few active users remain. The platform feels completely dead compared to w... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The new website (May 2026 redesign) is a disaster. Basic features that defined the platform like setting your hosting availability to 'Not Accepting Guests' are buried. The UI is like a dating ap... See more


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1.2

Bad

TrustScore 1 out of 5

824 reviews

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1.2

All reviews

(824)

86 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Charging fee without notice

Charging fee without notice or authorization. I newly register an account linking with my facebook. Then, at the account setting screen, they suggest to verify my account (including payment, phone and id card). After provide information for verification, I was charged VND 1.4 million without advance notice. They my account was suddently deactive without reason.
This is crime.

5 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Tricked and ripped off, by the site itself

I could not use the site without paying $2.99. It's not much and I've had positive experiences in the past so I payed it. Then I noticed my account is not verified and there is an option to verify by credit card. I thought it was just checking if the credit card is valid but they charged me $60 with no warning. I contacted customer service and they say the amount is displayed on the screen. If it is, it certainly isn't displayed prominently. The cost should be displayed right next to the button. It truly is underhanded to trick people into paying. And then they say they have a policy not to refund any financial contributions, and they thank me for my "contribution." That was not a contribution, it was theft. They also have a patronizing blog post about the payments which starts off asking readers to take a deep breath. Don't dismiss our anger at being tricked and ripped off. No wonder most hosts have such a low response rate, they have to pay monthly just to read the messages. For Pete's sake couchsurfing take a hint and get an ad banner.

1 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Couchsurfing is the worst thing you can…

Couchsurfing is the worst thing you can use for travelling!! I had 2 hosts and both tried to hit on me and thought just because I stay with them I have to have sex with them and lying about sleeping arrangement! This is not acceptable!!! As a solo female traveller I haven't felt so unsafe! Never use it again! Also the support team is just a piece of...! I highly don't recommend!!

24 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Verification scam

Verification scam - they will charge you for verification even though they don't mention they will. It's a complete scam and they won't refund it they hide behind their terms of use. I've gone back and forth with them a bit now and currently disputing the charge with my bank as a scam. Someone should do a class action against these rats.

15 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

it is always a gamble

it is always a gamble, have had bad experiences, and one or two that were okay and inevitably as a sole female there is this weird male assumption that you ar , available for free sex. so Just be mindful. also paid the member fee which is not very much I know and was never given the access by them so will never use them again.

13 June 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Scammers..

Scammers... I clicked just to verify my account as so many app required and they charged me without any advice 56 euros! I am reclaiming it and hope they refunds my money and reverse the operation.
If not I am denuncing them for scam!

2 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

BEWARE OF VERIFICATION

BEWARE OF VERIFICATION - DO NOT click on verification..... you will be charged 60 bucks although there is NO warning whatsover of being charged anything . I don't know how they get away with doing that. You will have to dispute the charge with your bank Couchsurfing won't refund you

25 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

beware of scam site couchsurfing

I registered at couchsurfing and the site recommended me to verify. I thought it was something like amazon card check. I saw 1,670UAH charge just before confirming, thinking it was 1,67UAH which would some 2 cents.

As soon as I saw, my card was charged more than 40USD, I was shocked. I opened a dispute at bank and the site. But the site rejected it. It should have been called membership. I couldn't see this coming as it seemed like a big site. I deleted my account immediately. If I wanted a lifetime membership, whay would I open a dispute immediately?

couchsurfing is a total scam site run by online criminals.

I should have checked out here before even registering at this scam site :((

28 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Deactivated my account, and impossible to log in on Mac

The log in with apple button is not there on my Mac. Which means that using couch surfing on my computer, which is my preferred way of interacting with content is not possible.

They also recently deactivated my account. After doing some googling it seems like you are supposed to be able to log in again by just logging in and hitting a reactivate button. But when I try to log in it gives me an error message. I feel like this is a scam considering I paid money for a yearly subscription.

ABSOLUTE SCAM AVOID AT ALL COSTS

24 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I had a couchsurfing account and they…

I had a couchsurfing account and they removed it without a reason after i paid in full for whole year. They keep doing it to users to pay again and create another account. new way of earning money. be careful.

23 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Not what they claim to be

I'm glad I didn't give them too much personal information.

When you read the "How it works" guide, they say to sign up and create your profile - nothing about charging money for anything. They wait until you provide your name and email address for creating an account, and then there is nothing available on the website except payment options.

Given the amount of people reporting payments being taken without authorisation, I will give this business a miss.

(This is a review of my experience with this website and not a request for support or conversation with the business. It is my personal experience and I will not be providing unecessary personal data)

1 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Scammed me by instantly charging a…

Scammed me by instantly charging a substantial amount from my card (by somehow bypassing the authorization/confirmation process required by bank for all online purchases) the moment I clicked the "Verify my account"-button, which the site is clearly designed for me to click. couchsurfing is a sinking ship and seems to be nothing left but a site designed to scam people for money. Customer support refused to refund me even thou I contacted them immediately and explained the situation. I have permanently deleted my account.

20 January 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

full advantage on our backs

they blocked the account i was using even with the best reviews even from ambassadors with ZERO answer
it‘s just a terrible business getting 💶 on people’s need to get together

18 January 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ruined community now scam

This was a volunteer ran community platform that became a scam through "verification theft". Also, they offered me a lifetime membership that I paid for only to attempt to charge me with a monthly membership two years later. Now, my account is blocked because I refuse to pay the thieves.

16 February 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I've been hosting like 50 people from…

I've been hosting like 50 people from all over the world while surfing like 15-20 places. Now they want me to pay money for hosting people for free?

Should have made it free for people who host more than they surf and charge the people who want a free couch.
I know so many hosters who left couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is dead.

3 January 2024
Unprompted review

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