Frequently asked questions
How is this different from Airbnb?
You're booking directly with the local host who owns the place. There's no tech platform adding a ~14% guest service fee to your total, and the host isn't losing ~3% to platform fees either. You pay less, they earn more.
Am I protected?
Every host on this site is a licensed City of Calgary short-term rental operator with a public business licence number on their listing. You pay through a secure Stripe checkout, you talk to a real person, and you have a paper trail for every booking.
When am I charged?
You submit a request first — no charge. The host checks their calendar and approves. Then you get a secure link to pay a 25% deposit to hold the dates. The balance is due closer to check-in.
Why request-to-book instead of instant book?
Hosts here often also list on Airbnb, so they check their calendar before confirming to make sure they never double-book you. You'll usually hear back within a few hours.
What does the platform charge?
A small 4% platform fee is included in your total. That covers payment processing, hosting, and the tools that let hosts run their own direct-booking business. It's a fraction of what Airbnb charges.
Can I bring my pet?
Each listing shows whether pets are welcome. If yes, you disclose your pet when requesting and a flat pet fee is added to your total. No surprises.
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancellation terms are set per listing, but the default is that the deposit becomes non-refundable within 14 days of check-in. Always check the host's rules on the listing page and email the host with any questions before booking.
I'm a Calgary host — can I list here?
Yes. Create a free host account, add your listing, and start taking direct bookings. You keep roughly 96% of every booking and get paid by e-transfer.