Travel Mates is a social feature within VanLife Connect that lets you connect and keep in touch with other travellers. Think of it like adding friends on the platform. When you become “Travel Mates” with someone, you can see each other’s travel updates (like when you’re nearby or heading in the same direction) and easily communicate to share your journey. It’s completely optional and separate from the service booking aspect – it’s more about community and friendship on the road. Travel Mates is free to use for everyone.
In essence, Travel Mates helps you:
- Stay connected with friends you meet during your travels. Instead of losing touch after meeting at one campsite, you can add them as a Mate and keep chatting or plan to meet up again down the road.
- Discover new friends on the same route. The app can show you if any of your Travel Mates (or possibly other users who allow it) are nearby or heading to a destination you’re also going to. This can encourage meetups or convoys.
- Share your journey: You might be able to share itineraries or see an approximate location of each other (only with permission). For example, you might see “Alex (your travel mate) is 50km away, traveling north towards Broome” – handy to know if friends are catching up or if someone you know is at the same campground.