Introduction The purpose of this Cancellation Policy is to clearly outline the rules,
obligations, rights, and procedures relating to reservation cancellations on
the Ethnic BNB platform. Ethnic BNB is a hospitality marketplace that connects
guests seeking accommodations with hosts offering properties for short-term
stays. To maintain transparency, fairness, and operational consistency, every
booking made on Ethnic BNB is governed by the cancellation policy selected by
the host and accepted by the guest at the time of reservation. This expanded document provides a detailed explanation of how cancellations
work, what refund amounts apply in different scenarios, how payouts are
calculated for hosts, and what steps guests must follow to cancel a
reservation. It also elaborates on no-show situations, special conditions, host
obligations, guest responsibilities, definitions, examples, exceptions, and
platform-wide procedural standards. This unified policy applies to all users—both guests and hosts—unless a
specific listing or local regulation requires additional terms.Every reservation on Ethnic BNB follows the cancellation framework defined
by the host. When a host publishes a listing, they must select a cancellation
policy type along with a cancellation timeline. Guests are fully informed of
these rules before confirming their booking. By completing a reservation, a
guest agrees to abide by the policy and timeline chosen by the host. The two main components that shape cancellation outcomes are: 1.Cancellation
Timeline (also known as the “free cancellation period”) 2.Cancellation
Policy Type selected by the host (Fully Refundable, Partially
Refundable, or Non-Refundable) Both elements work together to determine the refund owed to the guest and
the payout owed to the host in case a cancellation occurs.The cancellation timeline
refers to the number of days prior to check-in during which guests must cancel
in order to receive a full refund. The host
chooses this timeline when configuring their listing. Key Characteristics of the Cancellation
Timeline ·It is customizable
and can vary from listing to listing. ·It represents the last moment at which a guest
may cancel without penalty. ·It defines the boundary between “early
cancellation” and “late cancellation.” ·It affects refund distribution,
payout calculation, and guest
responsibility. ·It applies equally to all guests booking the
same listing. ·The timeline becomes part
of the contract between host and guest once the reservation is
confirmed. Examples of Cancellation Timelines ·A host may set a 5-day timeline.
Guests cancelling 5 days or more before check-in get a full refund;
cancellations within 4 days or less fall under late cancellation rules. ·A host may set a 10-day timeline
for high-demand properties or peak season dates. ·A host may set next-day or same-day
timelines for last-minute or promotional bookings. What Is Considered “Before the Cancellation
Timeline”? Any cancellation made strictly earlier than the
number of days defined counts as “before” the timeline. For example: If the timeline is 7 days, then: ·Cancelling 8 days
before check-in → Full refund ·Cancelling 7 days
before check-in → Considered after the timeline (late
cancellation) This is because the timeline marks the end of the free cancellation window.Every host listing must be assigned one of the following three policy types: 1.Fully
Refundable Policy 2.Partially
Refundable Policy 3.Non-Refundable
Policy These policies operate in conjunction with the cancellation timeline and
define the refund allocation in scenarios where a guest cancels after the
timeline expires.3.1 Fully Refundable Policy The Fully Refundable Policy gives guests the highest level of flexibility
while also giving hosts limited discretion in how refunds should be issued for
late cancellations. 3.1.1 Cancellations Before the Timeline ·Guests cancelling before
the cancellation timeline receive a full
refund. ·A full refund includes: oNightly charges oTaxes oCleaning fees (if applicable) oEthnic BNB service fees The host does not receive any payout in
this scenario since the guest cancels sufficiently early. 3.1.2 Cancellations After the Timeline Under the Fully Refundable Policy, when a guest cancels after
the cancellation timeline has passed, the host is granted flexibility.
The host can choose one of the following two outcomes: Option A — Partial Refund Applicable when the host believes that some portion of the stay could still
be rebooked or wishes to exercise guest-friendly discretion. ·The host decides the percentage or specific
amount to refund. ·The guest receives the partial refund amount
defined by the host. ·The host receives payout for the non-refunded
portion of the reservation. Partial refunds may apply in situations such as: ·Cancellations within 48 hours of check-in ·Cancellations during peak season ·Long stays where the host can still rebook some
days Option B — No Refund If the host chooses the “no refund” option: ·The guest receives zero
refund for nightly rates, taxes, and service fees. ·The host receives the full
payout corresponding to the entire reservation. This option is used in situations such as: ·Extremely late cancellations ·No rebooking possibility ·High-demand periods where last-minute
cancellations cause financial loss 3.1.3 Rationale Behind This Policy This policy exists to provide hosts with both flexibility and protection. It
is ideal for hosts who want to accommodate guests but still maintain control
over financial outcomes in case of late cancellations.3.2 Partially Refundable Policy The Partially Refundable Policy strikes a balance between fairness to guests
and guaranteed earnings for hosts. 3.2.1 Cancellations Before the Timeline Same as the Fully Refundable Policy: ·Guests cancelling before the timeline → Full
refund ·Host payout → Zero 3.2.2 Cancellations After the Timeline Once a guest cancels after the timeline: ·The first night
(including taxes and service fees) becomes non-refundable. ·The guest receives a refund for all remaining
nights. ·The host receives payout only
for the first night. 3.2.3 Why the First Night Is Non-Refundable The first night acts as a form of cancellation fee, protecting hosts against
sudden cancellations while still allowing guests to recover a portion of their
payment. 3.2.4 Detailed Breakdown (Example) If a guest books: ·4 nights ·With a 5-day cancellation timeline ·And cancels 2 days before check-in Then: ·Guest pays for Night 1 → Host gets payout ·Nights 2–4 → Refunded to guest This provides a predictable structure for both guests and hosts.3.3 Non-Refundable Policy The Non-Refundable Policy is the strictest option and is typically chosen by
hosts seeking maximum income protection or offering steeply discounted rates. 3.3.1 Cancellations Before the Timeline Regardless of the policy type, cancellations before
the timeline always result in: ·Full refund
to guest ·No payout
to host This ensures fairness when guests cancel early. 3.3.2 Cancellations After the Timeline When a guest cancels after the timeline: ·No refund is issued to
the guest, under any circumstances. ·The host receives
payout for the entire reservation, including nightly rates,
taxes, and fees. This policy is recommended for: ·Promotional listings ·Discounted stays ·Peak-season properties ·High-demand destinations It provides the highest level of financial assurance for hosts.A no-show refers to a situation where the guest: ·Fails to arrive at the property ·Provides no cancellation request ·Makes no communication regarding delays or
changes 4.1 Treatment of No-Shows Under Ethnic BNB platform rules: ·No-show = Treated as a
late cancellation ·The host’s selected cancellation policy is
applied automatically ·Under the Non-Refundable Policy → Guest pays
100% of the total amount 4.2 Why No-Shows Are Not Eligible for Refunds No-shows are treated strictly because: ·Hosts must keep the property blocked for the
duration of the reserved stay ·Hosts lose the opportunity to rebook the dates ·Operational costs (cleaning, preparation,
utilities) may already have been incurred The system is designed to ensure hosts receive fair compensation in these
cases.Cancelling a reservation on Ethnic BNB is straightforward and designed to
give guests full control over their bookings. 5.1 Steps to Cancel Guests may cancel through: ·The “Trips”
section of their Ethnic BNB profile ·The reservation details page ·The booking confirmation page After selecting the cancellation option, the system will: ·Display the applicable refund amount ·Show the policy type ·Confirm whether the cancellation timeline still
applies ·Provide a final summary before completing the
cancellation 5.2 Refund Processing Once a cancellation is submitted: ·Refunds are automatically calculated based on
policy rules ·The original payment method is credited ·Refund processing time varies depending on the
payment provider ·Ethnic BNB may display estimated processing
times Guests receive a cancellation receipt for their records.This Cancellation Policy governs all reservation activities on Ethnic BNB
and is designed to protect both guests and hosts by ensuring clear,
predictable, and equitable rules. Whether a host chooses a Fully Refundable,
Partially Refundable, or Non-Refundable framework, each option offers
transparency and fairness based on the timing of cancellation and the needs of
both parties. By using the Ethnic BNB platform, both hosts and guests agree to abide by
this Cancellation Policy and all the terms outlined herein.
