Pay-Out of Non-Refundable Deposits
I became aware of an UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE by Booking.com.
Partners take note ... if you have received a booking in the beginning of the year with a non-refundable DEPOSIT (i.e. 50%) for the end of the year (December festive season)..... you ONLY receive your portion of the deposit minus the commission charged by Booking.com in the FOLLOWING YEAR IN JANUARY!
In my case, a 10 months wait for which Booking.com is benefitting also on our portion of the Non-refundable deposit.
To me this is an unfair business practice. They should take their commission that they are entitled and payout our non-refundable deposit total immediately.
I hope Booking.com management will take note and comment why they deem this as not unfair to their customers.
Edwin & Jusnita
Hi! Not sure you are correct as the payment terms you signed up for are stated clearly in the T&Cs!
You have the option to get paid directly inc. deposit - why dont you consider that option?
No where do they make this clear that NON-REFUNDABLE portions are also kept until after the clients checked out.
In this case, for 10 months before pay-out (It is a large amount).
Your suggestion means owners have to collecting all the funds and pay Booking.com and do refunds etc. which is not ideal. The issue remains that non-refundable deposits should be released to owner by Booking.com after deducting their FULL commission and not hold onto the owners portion for such a long time.
I see your point but I guess if you want the flexibility of booking.com handling your payments then you have to go with their approach otherwise the accounting will become very complex.
But let's face it how many bookings do you have 10m out? A couple?
Even just one booking where Booking.com hold onto a partner’s non-refundable deposit (Booking.com’s share is ONLY the FULL commission!), is an unfair business practice.
Booking.com winn, Partner looses. As simple as that and it is an unfair deal.