Our dreams of living in new cities, ancient towns, and coastal oases with our remote careers are stronger than ever before. After a tumultuous year, we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
This bright spot is powering us, not only back to where we were before COVID, but to new heights. The community has grown to 1,000 members in 5 short years. In that time we've cocreated 114 Chapters, exploring 31 countries while working over 85 million hours from incredible spots around the world. These experiences weaved the community closer together. Familiar faces reappeared in unfamiliar places and we immediately got back into a groove like no time had passed.
In the light at the end of the tunnel, two new changes are here that'll make coming back together even sweeter– changes that make it more sustainable to travel longterm with the Tribe and that allow us to live in new corners of the globe.
Introducing Member Perks
After missing that Tribe familiarity during the pandemic, we're ready to support and foster it a little more. Seeing old friends on top of meeting new ones is what Chapters are all about, now we hope to see the perfect balance of seasoned and newer members coming together by introducing new Member Perks and Chapter Savings.
New Chapter Savings
We're introducing a more flexible and simplified way to travel with the Tribe and secure the best Chapter prices.
Until now, the only way to unlock lower Chapter prices was to buy a 3 or 5 Chapter Plan. The system was easy–buying a bundle of Chapter deposits meant you paid less per Chapter due to your upfront commitment. The savings stopped after using the last deposit but there was never a bonus for continuing to travel with the Tribe.
Now members can unlock more Chapter savings based on two things: bundling multiple Chapter deposits upfront to unlock lower prices and the number of Chapters you've already completed.
How to save more on Chapters right now
Although the program is being announced today, we've all already unlocked lower Chapter prices since joining the community. If you don't currently have a Chapter Plan, figure out your current Chapter savings below:
Do you currently have a Chapter Plan with unused deposits?
If you previously purchased a Chapter Plan and have deposits remaining, you'll continue to save the same amount offered by the 3 and 5 Chapter Plans until the last deposit is used. After that point, count the number of Chapters you've completed to figure out if you're a Nomad, Citizen, or Veteran.
How to save when booking Chapters 1 at a time
More savings are unlocked by simply joining Chapters. You can book them one at time and gradually pay less per Chapter. See how here:
How to save more by bundling Chapter deposits
You can build off your unlocked savings and jump ahead to save more by bundling deposits. Above we explained how you'll become a Citizen after completing 4 Chapters–when booking your 5th Chapter, you'll unlock the Citizen price.
But you can also buy a bundle of deposits to access the Citizen price without having to join Chapters one at a time. All you'd need to do is buy 5 bundled deposits and you'll pay the Citizen price for all 5 Chapters you eventually book with these deposits.
Remember, Chapter deposits don't expire if you have an active membership so it's OK to dream big and take advantage of the savings. And similar to Chapter Plans, every bundled Chapter deposit needs to be used before purchasing another.
When booking your next Chapter, we'll show you how buying a bundle of deposits can help you save more depending on how many Chapters you've joined before. See how it works below.
How longtime members can save more on Chapters
Seasoned members returning for their third, fifth, or seventh Chapters carry our traditions forward–pitching in to organize Tribal Tuesdays, helping new Tribers decode Splitwise, and championing our values every step of the way. This new Member Perks program honors what you bring to the table by saving you money just based on the number of Chapters you've completed already.
Said another way, longtime members no longer need to buy deposits in bulk to pay less per Chapter–now you're locked into lower Chapter prices based on your tenure with the Tribe and have the flexibility to join Chapters one at a time.
How new members can save more on Chapters
Members who haven't joined many or any Chapters yet, don't worry. We don't want to miss out on the awesomeness you bring to the Tribe too. The Member Perks program still lets you purchase multiple Chapter deposits upfront to unlock lower prices. Buying bundles of 3 or 5 deposits will help you skip ahead to more savings so you can access the best Chapter prices quicker.
After buying deposits in bulk, the unlocked savings will be applied to each of the future Chapters you book. You'll have to use every deposit in the bundle before you're able to purchase more. New members have a few ways to take advantage of this perk:
- Before joining your 1st Chapter, buy 5 bundled deposits to unlock Citizen savings right away. You'll save between $1,250-$2,000 over the 5 Chapters you book. (Read about the New Member Experience Guarantee if you try this option out.)
- You've joined 2 Chapters before and are about to unlock Nomad savings. But there are multiple Chapters catching your eye so you bundle 3 deposits to unlock more savings. Now you'll pay the Citizen price when booking your 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Chapters–saving you $100-$200 for planning ahead.
- After joining your 3rd Chapter, you're ready for more. You buy 5 deposits bundled together to bump up to Veteran savings, skipping Citizen all together. Now you'll save between $1,500-$2,500 across 5 Chapters while meeting more of the Tribe.
Remember, Chapter deposits don't expire if you have an active membership so it's OK to dream big and take advantage of the savings. Each deposit costs $300 and can be bought at any time.
What's happening with Chapter Plans?
Chapter Plans are going away in name only.
The system–bulk buying Chapter deposits in order to unlock lower prices due to the upfront commitment–is staying. What's changing is whether you need to bundle deposits together to save more on Chapters. Longtime members who have joined many Chapters already likely won't need to purchase deposits in bulk anymore. But the option is still available to skip ahead to a more savings.
If you previously purchased a Chapter Plan and have deposits remaining, you'll continue to save the same amount offered by the 3 and 5 Chapter Plans until the last deposit is used. Then you'll move over to the Member Perks program.
How are Chapter prices changing?
To improve the Chapter experience and to explore more off-the-beaten-path destinations we haven't yet discovered, we're moving away from the Tier system and Chapters will now be priced based on location-specific details.
Taking the Chapter size, season, COVID-related logistics, and quality of available accommodations into consideration, each Chapter will now have a custom price. We're still aiming for similar prices that we've been using for recent Chapters, you can see it all in action on the Chapter Calendar. (Side note: please bear in mind that costs have been higher during COVID and the travel industry generally predicts them to increase a bit more post-COVID due to a surge of demand).
Everyone will still save on Chapters with the Member Perks program, it's just the price will now be customized based on location-specific costs of hosting a Chapter there.
Member Perks FAQs
The only thing going away is the name "Chapter Plans".
The idea of committing to more Chapters upfront to unlock lower Chapter prices remains unchanged. Buying 3 or 5 deposits in bulk helps you jump to a new savings level to pay less for each of your next Chapters. It gives us all more flexibility and access to lower prices sooner.
All unused Chapter Plan deposits will remain in your account, nothing is changing there. We'll continue to honor the same savings offered by the 3 and 5 Chapter Plans until you use your last deposit. At that point, you'll move over to the new Member Perks program.
As a reminder, here are the savings from the Tier pricing and Chapter Plans system:
3 Chapter Plan:
Save $400 on private rooms and $200 on shared rooms.
5 Chapter Plan:
Save $500 on private rooms and $300 on shared rooms.
When you book a Chapter, the booking form will ask whether you still have a Chapter Plan. We'll then apply the same savings to your Chapter price.
Similar to Chapter Plans, you need to use every pre-purchased deposit before buying another bundle.
As long as you have an active membership, Chapter deposits don't expire.
If you decide not to renew your annual membership, all unused deposits will be forfeited at that time.
Yes, that's one of the main benefits of the Member Perks program.
If you've already completed a bunch of Chapters, there's no need to purchase additional deposits upfront. You likely already unlocked more savings just based on your past travels with Tribe. We wanted to make it easier for longtime members to join Chapters as you make the experience better for everyone.
These perks don't apply for members who booked the Bolivia Chapter happening June 11 - July 16, 2021 and the Cusco Chapter happening July 16 - August 13, 2021.
These pricing changes and Member Perk savings will apply to all future Chapters.
The Chapter savings are locked in based on a member's savings level at the time of booking. Savings won't be retroactively applied if a member unlocks a more savings before completing the booked Chapters.
