Dreaming of digital nomad status? Airbnb is giving 12 people the chance to live anywhere for a year
Travel is back, and the industry has learned a lot from the last year — including just how many people are eager to jump on the trend of full-time remote work. That's why Airbnb is looking for a dozen participants to become digital nomads for a year.
If you're selected for the Live Anywhere program, you'll live exclusively in Airbnb listings starting in September of 2021 for at least the next 10 months. All accommodations would be covered, and Airbnb will provide a stipend for transportation for the duration of the experience. Plus, you can take up to three friends or family members with you during the program, and Airbnb will provide listing suggestions and offer local experiences at your destinations.
Sound like something you're interested in? You have through the end of June to apply.
Airbnb used to be a go-to site for people who wanted to book long weekend getaways with friends and family members. But since the pandemic, there's been an increase in longer stays. According to a recent Airbnb report, longer stays (28 days and longer) increased by 10% between 2019 and 2021, and Airbnb is looking to offer more flexibility and a better experience for hosts and guests planning these longer stays.
Related: The case for living out of Airbnbs full time
The hope is for participants in the Live Anywhere program to share feedback from their time on the road with Airbnb so the company can learn more about what it's like to live nomadically and improve the platform (think: product changes and resources for digital nomads and insights into the best accommodations for specific groups such as solo travelers or families with young kids).
If you're worried about paying the bills on your current residence while you're gone, Airbnb is also encouraging participants to "test the experience and opportunity of hosting while living nomadically" by listing their primary residence on Airbnb during the program. The average annual earnings for hosts, Airbnb reported, is $9,600 for new listings in the first quarter of 2021.
Is the digital nomad life for you?
The pandemic changed the game for many companies. Businesses that once required employees to show up at an office Monday through Friday were forced to turn fully remote. Even now that offices are starting to reopen, many are keeping remote work policies that will allow workers more flexibility.
So, if this opportunity sounds like it's right up your alley, you still have a few weeks to apply (applications close June 30, 2021).
Not sure if the digital nomad life is for you? TPG senior writer Katie Genter has been a digital nomad with her husband for almost four years, ever since they gave up their Austin, Texas, apartment and sold most of their belongings to hit the road full-time in 2017.
There's a lot to love, of course, about the freedom to work anywhere. Genter says her favorite part of being a digital nomad is experiencing different cultures.
"From Serbia to Vietnam, I've loved living and working in residential neighborhoods and getting to experience local life in a culture different than mine when I'm not working," she said. "Plus, I love the freedom and flexibility that I have as a digital nomad."
But that doesn't mean that the lifestyle doesn't have its drawbacks. For Genter, the biggest challenge of being a digital nomad has been making time for personal sightseeing and experiences.
"Too often, [I've] spent far too much time working and barely saw the places I visited," she said. "Other challenges include working strange hours to sync with your employer and finding good connectivity ...."
Related: How to secure your data when using public Wi-Fi
If you are a remote employee and do plan on applying for the Airbnb Live Anywhere program, it's important to plan where you want to visit and how you can maximize your stay while still staying connected to your team.
Also, Genter recommends starting slow. You may be tempted to see as many spots as possible with the time you have, but it's smart to start with at least one week at each destination. According to Genter, most digital nomads spend anywhere from two weeks to a month at each spot they visit. And while you're at each place, make sure to prioritize truly experiencing what it's like to live there.
"Go on a free walking tour when you land in a new city," Genter said. "It's a great way to meet people and learn about your new home. Decide what's important to you and tailor your travel to it."
Despite any challenges she and her husband have faced while working from the road, Genter does still encourage people to apply for this opportunity if you love to travel and have the capacity to either work remotely or use the year to travel without working.
Related: Tips for working from home — or working from anywhere
Airbnb isn't just looking for working professionals, either. In a statement, the company encouraged travelers from all walks of life — "from young families to remote workers, creatives, empty nesters and more" — to apply. Participants must be 18 years or older in order to qualify. The Live Anywhere program begins in July of 2021, and 10 months of the program will include traveling and staying at Airbnb accommodations.
If you're interested, make sure to read the application criteria on Airbnb's website and apply before the deadline on June 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.