Couchsurfing Reviews 766

Verification payment is using scam tactic

I've been a member for many years. When Covid hit and they started to require a membership subscription, I understood the need. (Even though FREE was nice as long as that lasted.)

The system works pretty well, but I discovered this summer that my membership fee had be drawn twice each month for 1½ years. I stopped one and asked CS if they could give me 1½ years without paying for that period, since I'd already paid it. We had a long correspondence which basically was:

CS: Our policy says we can't give refunds
Me: I haven't asked for a refund.
CS: Our policy says we can't give refunds
Me: I haven't asked for a refund.
CS: Our policy says we can't give refunds
Me: I haven't asked for a refund. CAN YOU POINT OUT WHERE i HAVE ASKED FOR A REFUND?
CS: Our policy says we can't give refunds
Me: I haven't asked for a refund.

That got tiring and I have now stopped paying, so now I'm locked out. So I can't offer anyone a "couch".
CS has gotten 1½ years extra membership fees and I'll be giving 1 or 2 stars in stead of 4 or 5. Who is winning anything by that??

When I got locked out there was an offer to export my data. I choose that and got a mail. But when I tried to access the export I was locked out from that too.

some other small points:

I tried several times to get my address verified. They're supposed to send a postcard, but they didn't come. (_Maybe_ one came once but it didn't work.)

I think CS could make their "verified" price much clearer. Most of the 1* reviews are about that, so be aware that it costs a bit!

Otherwise I have enjoyed CS. I have used the people with references. So I can recommend that. Sometimes I've let people without references tent in our yard. Then I could give them references when I got to meet them.

It was written on their website "Get Verified using credit Card". And Then Suprisingly I noticed that I have been charge more than 50€ for that ! It's a crazy way to scam people !!!!

They sided with a psychopathic man, instead of believing women (who were vouched for, with stellar reviews). Couchsurfing used to be a great place. But now it's full of scammers and psychopaths, especially in Florida. The couchsurfing management is just as bad.

Their payment verification is a scam & they don’t seem to care about their users. I’ve got caught on their dark scheme and immediately contacted their support. They sent me script text and now are not responding at all. Using the term “payment verification” is misleading. Not displaying the information about cost and no-refund term is not fair!

Now, I’m taking all the possible steps to get my money back.

There was an issue and I wanted to communicate with them, and there was no follow up or whatsoever. Several days later they just suddenly suspended my account, again no communication!
I highly doubted if the platform itself is ethical throughout the time I was using it, and it turns out to be true to the fact. There is no nothing that makes you feel safe to be around this platform especially the hosting side. I felt not safe all the time regarding what kind of people I will meet, and if I’ll be taken advantage of.
There are other better alternative, for sure.
Although I am annoyed by what they did to me, at the same time I am glad I can finally get away from this platform which I have been thinking for quite a while. I can finally live my life stress free.
Otherwise I would have still been around it like an addiction.

Avoid this platform!

It used to be a really nice community some 20 years ago and we hosted and gathered a lot.
Now they will charge you just to send one message. I have no subscription and I get a dark screen when trying to offer hosting to a public trip.
I would NOT give them my bank details.

If it isn’t mandatory, I think the CS worth grading zero. Deceives money without consent and ripped me off 50+ euros for verification then if I didn’t pay the subscription, I couldn’t use anything. Even if I have paid 14.5 euro/mo at the end i haven’t been able to log in the webpage to do anything. So total of 70 euros lost. Tons of emails sent out with one slimy guy reply me with some stupid questions and went missing. Those shitty emails left in the dialogue box are all AI auto reply. Shame on this company. I am trying to see how to report to sheriff. Cs running is a crime.

I had an extremely disappointing experience with Couchsurfing. Without clear disclosure, I was charged 56€ for a "lifetime verification," which they make deceptively hard to avoid during sign-up. This fee appears suddenly, and the information about it is hidden in small print, in violation of European consumer protection laws against misleading advertising.

When I requested a refund within the EU-mandated 14-day "cooling-off" period (Directive 2011/83/EU), Couchsurfing refused, citing their internal policies. Despite multiple attempts to contact them and a formal reference to EU law, I received automated responses and no refund. They have ignored my repeated follow-ups and show a complete disregard for EU consumer rights.

I strongly advise against using Couchsurfing, as their practices are unethical, misleading, and disrespectful of consumer rights.

Scam company avoid and do not provide your credit card info, they will charge you without your consent.

Complete fraudulent scam!
Signed up a year ago go on a free account was charged a few days later and reached out the company for a refund and to cancel my account. They confirmed both have been completed. then fast forward a year later and my account that was cancelled was activated and charged my card. They refused to refund my $$ and help with cancellation my subscription.
This company and its owners should be ashamed of what they are doing and scamming people. There is not one good review about the company; all reviews are about how they scam people on a free subscription and then charge them and refuse refunds. They are selling you snake oil!! Do not sign up for their subscription!!

Scam / fraud. They literally just take money from your card in the absolute most deceptive way. Do NOT support this company.

Holding my account hostage until I pay

A big scam! Avoid at any cost
Got charged 50$+ for a verification without any consent

This must be the worst Hospitality app on the planet.
They deleted my account for no reason and I had 140 amazing reviews from all over the world.
I treated my guests better than a 5-star hotel would
They never had to spend a penny on food and I drove them to see all the attractions.
I opened another account, paid the annual fee, and within a week after the money cleared they deleted my account again and no refund.
They will not communicate with me at all.
Absolutely disgusting treatment for someone who is hosting people on their app for free

They literally steal money from users

Couchsurfing will trick you into making you pay for a “verification” of your credit card, which you might think is used for the contribution per month of 3$ but they will secretly charge you 60$!! How is that legal???
This is completely illegal and in Europe you are entitled to cancel any subscription within 14-days.
Except their “customer service” is AI so they won’t deal with your request for refund.
To use a community based organization to steal from people is a scandal and should be made public!

I think this deserves a class suit!

Disgusting lunatic thrives. I paid for a full year and they banded me after 3 days without any reason

They misleadingly charge for verification services (£51)!!! The process does not make it clear that you will be charged, making it look like any other verification service where you just provide a CC number.
Complete scam.

I recently had an extremely disappointing experience with Couchsurfing’s customer support. After being charged €56 for a verification fee, I requested a refund under EU consumer protection laws, as I did not waive my right to the 14-day “cooling off” period. Despite multiple attempts to communicate, Couchsurfing repeatedly closed my case without any response or resolution.

This kind of service is unacceptable and undermines the trust that users place in the platform. Not only was I charged unfairly, but the complete lack of communication from Couchsurfing’s support team leaves me questioning their commitment to customer satisfaction and legal compliance. I have since filed a complaint with the EU consumer agency and would advise other users to be cautious, especially regarding hidden fees and poor customer service.