Becoming a BiniGuide

Who is a BiniGuide?

A BiniGuide is a passionate local who wants to show their city, tell stories and share experiences with people from all around the world. Whether it is by offering tours of interesting places in their city, visits to unique restaurants, or by offering adventurous activities such as hiking or sailing. Above all, a BiniGuide aims to provide memorable Experiences.

A BiniGuide can be a person of any background and of any profession. The only restrictions are that the BiniGuide must be at least 18 years old, and have a good working level of English, since our LocalBini platform is only in English. The experience can be offered in any language.

Why should I become a BiniGuide?

When you become a BiniGuide you get the change to offer unique experiences on our platform and help Travellers to get to know your city through the eyes of a local. This role includes flexible working hours and allows you to earn extra money while sharing your passions, meeting new people and inspire Travellers through authentic Experiences.

How can I become a BiniGuide?

You can register to become a BiniGuide here https://localbini.com/join-us.

What is the BiniPool?

A BiniPool is a group of Local Ambassadors who provide a similar Experience in their city. You can learn more about the BiniPool concept and its advantages in this video.

What is the Local Ambassador role?

A Local Ambassador is a BiniGuide that is a part of two or more BiniPools. That means he or she provides similar city Experiences with other Local Ambassadors in the same BiniPool. An Experience that is offered by such group of Local Ambassadors is called a BiniPool Experience. You can learn more about the role here http://join.localbini.com.

Why should I become a Local Ambassador?

You can learn more about the advantages of being a Local Ambassador in this video.

Building your profile

How do I create a profile?

You can create a profile once you have registered here https://localbini.com/join-us. When you log in, go to the Profile tab and complete your profile. It is important to fill in all the information, upload a picture of yourself and submit your profile for review by clicking “Submit” in the top- right corner. If everything is in place, your profile will be approved by our team.

What kind of picture should I use?

Your profile picture should be a photo of you. Remember that the friendlier the picture, the more likely Travellers will be interested in booking one of your Experiences. We kindly ask that your profile picture complies with our Terms and Conditions.

What do you mean by motto?

A motto is a good way for you to indicate your main motivation for becoming a BiniGuide. Whether it is a philosophical quotation or a goofy catchphrase, a motto is an easy way of giving Travelers an idea about you as a person. If you are using someone else’s quote or catchphrase, make sure you give credit where credit is due.

What if I have more than one occupation?

You can indicate more than one occupation on your profile. Also, if you have a past occupation that you think would interest Travelers, you can indicate it using the prefix ‘ex’.

Where can I add my skills, hobbies, and interests?

All your skills, hobbies, and interests are expressed as tags that you can add to your profile.

What are tags?

The tags are used to indicate your skills, hobbies, and interests. All tags are predefined in the platform, which means that you may not be able to input a skill if a tag for that particular skill has not yet been created. Most of the tags already exist, but should you not find something specific, please contact us at [email protected] and we will try to add your tag.

Is there a limit to the number of tags I can use?

You can use a maximum of seven tags when inserting your skills and interests. Remember that our algorithm is intended to match BiniGuides with likeminded people, so try to be selective and precise when including your skills.

What languages should I include?

You should select only the languages in which you would be comfortable conducting an Experience. English is selected by default, as all Experiences must be available in English.

What should I include in the description?

You can use the description section to emphasize key aspects of your personality and give Travelers a better idea of who you are. You can write about your interests, your occupation, and anything else you would like to share with Travelers.

Which postal address should I use?

You should use the address of your main residence. Make sure you are able to regularly check the mail at the address you have entered. Your private postal address will not be disclosed to Travelers under any circumstances.

Why do I have to provide my bank details?

Once you wish to withdraw your earnings from the Experiences you conducted, our system needs to have your bank details, ZIP code and city of the bank in order to transfer the money to you. Your bank details are safely stored and handled according to the GDPR and our Terms and Conditions.

Navigating the platform

How can I log in / log out?

You need to already have an account on our platform in order to log in or log out. If you don’t have an account yet, you can register here https://localbini.com/join-us.

• Web: To log in, click the “Login” button in the top-right corner of the homepage. To log out, click on your name in the top-right corner to make the menu appear and then click “Log Out”.
• App: To log in, tap on the profile button in the bottom-right corner of the menu bar, then tap “Register or Log In” and “Log In”. To log out, tap on the same profile button, then tap “Settings” and “Log Out”. If you cannot see the login button, it most likely because you are already logged in.

What does the Dashboard tab do?

The Dashboard gives you an overview of your account. It is composed of several parts.

• Web: The Summary section shows you how many Pending Requests and Upcoming Experiences you currently have. You can also see your current Balance here. The Calendar widget gives you an overview of the events of the month. When you click on it you will be directed to the Calendar tab. BiniHive will be a forum where you can share and talk to other BiniGuides. BiniHive is currently under development. When you receive a request for an Experience, it will appear on the Pending Requests card. You can click on “Details” to get more information and to accept or decline the request. When you accept a request for an Experience, it will appear on the Upcoming Experiences card. When you have conducted your Experience, it appears on the Past Experiences card. The button “Share your Passion / Create an Experience” on the bottom is a shortcut for creating new Experiences in one click. Alternatively, you can go to the My Experiences tab and click on “Create an Experience”.
• App: The menu bar on the bottom of your screen is comprised of five icons. It allows you to navigate between the Dashboard, your Experiences, Calendar, Messenger, and Profile with the side menu. You can indicate that you are available for instant booking for a set time (max 24h) by tapping “I’m Available Now”. Once activated, you can see the remaining time of your indicated availability. You can change it or deactivate it any time by tapping on “I’m Available Now” again. When you scan the Traveler’s QR code and start your Experience, the Live Experience card appears on the Dashboard. It allows you to keep track of time and to end the Experience by scanning the Traveler’s QR code once you finish the Experience. When you receive a request for an Experience, it will appear on the Pending Requests card. You can click on “Details” to get more information and to accept or decline the request. When you accept a request for an Experience, it will appear on the Upcoming Experiences card.

Where can I see my pending requests?

When you receive a request for an Experience, it will appear on the Pending Requests card on your Dashboard tab. You can click on “Details” to get more information and to accept or decline the request.

Where can I see my upcoming requests?

When you accept a request for an Experience, it will appear on the Upcoming Experiences card on your Dashboard tab.

Why is the Messenger not working?

We are currently developing the Messenger to bring the most efficient way for BiniGuides to communicate with the Travelers.

Calendar

What is the Calendar’s function?

The Calendar is a useful tool that helps you better organize yourself. It shows you Pending Requests and Upcoming Experiences, and allows you to set your “Unavailability” to indicate specific times during which you are not available for bookings.

How can I set my unavailability?

You can set the days and times you are not available for receiving requests by going to the Calendar tab and clicking on “Add Unavailability”.

How is the availability I indicate in the Calendar different to the availability I indicated when I created an Experience?

The unavailability you set in your Calendar indicates when you are not available to conduct any of your own or BiniPool Experiences. The availability you set in your own Experiences indicates the specific times the particular Experience can take place.

What are the Guaranteed Times of an Experience?

You can set the times when you guarantee to have your Experience with Travellers. That means you will automatically accept booking requests for these dates and will be ready at the Start Location on the chosen days. This way, your Experience on the specific date and time will be promoted on your city's homepage in the Upcoming Experiences and more Travellers will see it!

How do I set the Guaranteed Times of an Experience?

Go to My Experiences on your profile and choose the one that you would like to set the Guaranteed Times for. You can do so by selecting the specific dates and times in the section Guaranteed Starting Times. You can decide if you would like to guarantee the Experience on a concrete single date and/or if you would like to guarantee it on a chosen day every week. For both cases you can choose multiple times a day.

How can I edit or delete a Guaranteed Time of an Experience?

Note that you cannot edit or delete a Guaranteed Time of an Experience once it has been booked. Otherwise, go to My Experiences on your profile and choose the one that you would like to adjust the Guaranteed Times for. You can do so by selecting different dates and times in the section Guaranteed Starting Times. You are also able to delete any single and/or weekly dates and times that would not suit you anymore.

Can I set Guaranteed Times for a BiniPool Experience?

Unfortunately, you cannot set Guaranteed Times for a BiniPool Experience.

Password

I forgot my password. How can I retrieve it?

When you access the login form, you can click on “Reset it” below to retrieve your password. Once you input your email address you will receive an email containing a link to reset your password. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folder or retry to type in your email address again making sure the email address is the one that you registered with.

How can I change my password?

• Web: At the end of your profile page, in the Authorization section, you will find the option to edit your password. You can directly access it here https://localbini.com/guide/profile
• App: Tap on your profile picture in the side menu to open your public profile. From there you can tap on the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen to edit your profile from your phone’s browser. Then follow the steps above.

Creating an Experience

Check out this instructive video on how to create your own unique Experience!

How can I create an Experience?

To create an Experience on our platform you must first login at localbini.com. You can go to the Experience tab, and click on + CREATE EXPERIENCE. Then you can decide whether it will be your own unique Experience or a BiniPool Experience.

What kind of Experience can I offer?

You can offer your own unique Experiences based on your interests and field of expertise. You can also join BiniPools with other Local Ambassadors where you offer already-existing Experiences in your city. The goal is to provide unique and authentic Experiences that will help Travellers discover cities from an insider’s perspective.

Why can’t I submit my Experience?

If you cannot submit your Experience, it is most likely because you have not completed all the required fields. You will see a notice at the top of the page that it is necessary to fill in all the required fields. Once you have completed everything, try submitting again.

Why is my Experience not online yet?

Please make sure you have clicked SUBMIT after creating your Experience, so that the LocalBini team can review it. If you have done so, your Experience is currently being processed and the LocalBini team is doing their best to review it as quickly as possible. You can view the status of your Experience in the second tab when you log in, below the title of your Experience, or at the top of the Page when you click to view a specific Experience.

What is a BiniTreat?

BiniTreat is a small gift or a surprise you are encouraged to provide to your Travellers to make their Experience even more memorable. Ideally, this should be an item and not an activity, such as a small souvenir. You should consider the cost of this treat when calculating your base price, as the BiniTreat should not come at an additional cost for the Travellers.

How can I promote my Experiences?

You can promote your Experiences through your social media, share it with your friends and family or even prepare flyers to bring to popular meeting places (i.e. cafes, student clubs, libraries). You are more than welcomed to find other ways to promote your Experiences outside our platform.

Pricing

How much I can charge?

It is ultimately up to the BiniGuide to decide how much he or she wants to charge for an Experience. As quality is the key component of all the Experiences offered on the LocalBini platform, it is essential that the cost of the Experience is proportional to the quality.

How do I decide the price of my Experience?

When estimating the Experience price you should take into account the uniqueness of your offer, the added value of your knowledge and expertise, the cost of your BiniTreat, and the overall time and effort you will invest in preparing and conducting this Experience.

Do I have to cover all the costs of the Experience?

Travellers are not required to pay for anything during the Experience. Therefore, if your Experience includes any additional costs, i.e admission tickets, transportation, food and beverages, you should include these costs in the Included Features and Services. This cost will be added to the base price of the Experience.

What is the commission of LocalBini for unique Experiences?

What is the commission of LocalBini for unique Experiences? LocalBini charges 19% commission on the total price of an Experience. For example, if your Experience costs 100.- , the commission charged will be 19.- . For your convenience, we withdraw the commission directly, meaning that in the aforementioned case you would receive 81.- .

How are prices of the BiniPool Experiences calculated?

The prices of the BiniPool Experiences correlate with the average costs in the hospitality sector in your city. Then your earnings are influenced by your Flexibility (how short-notice the booking is), your Seniority level (how many bookings you have had) and the amount of people booking the BiniPool Experience (earnings can triple if it is a large group).

BiniPool Experiences

Check out this short video on how does a BiniPool work!

How can I become part of a BiniPool?

To become part of a BiniPool you need to be a Local Ambassador. You can apply to become a Local Ambassador here http://join.localbini.com/. If you are already a Local Ambassador, let us know which BiniPool Experiences you would like to be allocated to at [email protected].

I am a BiniGuide. How can I become a part of a BiniPool / a Local Ambassador?

To become part of a BiniPool, you need to apply to become a Local Ambassador here http://join.localbini.com/.

How can I leave a BiniPool Experience?

If you would like to be removed from a BiniPool Experience, please let us know at [email protected].

How can I create a BiniPool Experience?

To create a BiniPool Experience on our platform you must first login at localbini.com. You can go to the Experience tab, and click on + CREATE EXPERIENCE. Then you click on BiniPool Experience. If your BiniPool experience suggestion is complete & approved by LocalBini, you will be given a 10 Euro voucher of LocalBini (valid 12 months).

Can I modify a BiniPool Experience once it has been listed?

If you would like to modify a BiniPool Experience that you have created yourself, you can still make changes once it has been listed. Please remember to submit your BiniPool Experience for review by the LocalBini team. If you would like to edit a BiniPool Experience that was created by a different Local Ambassador, you cannot make any changes to the Experience.

Where can I find the itineraries for the BiniPool Experiences I offer?

You can find the Recommended Itinerary when you view the BiniPool Experience. It is located below the Requirements section.

Managing your Experiences

Can I modify an Experience once it has been approved and listed?

Once listed, you can still make changes to your Experience. To do so, click to view your Experience, and click on MODIFY at the top of the page. Please keep in mind that any modifications to your Experience have to be reviewed and validated by the LocalBini team, before your Experience can be publicly listed again.

Note that the old version of your Experience remains online until the new submitted version is reviewed and approved by the LocalBini team.

Why is my Experience listed as a “draft”?

If your Experience appears as a draft, it either means that you are still working on it, or that you have left some fields uncompleted. Please make sure to fill in all the required fields and click SUBMIT for the LocalBini team to review it. Another possibility is that your Experience has been reviewed and returned as a ‘draft’ with comments by the LocalBini team on how it can be improved, before it can be listed.

What does it mean if my Experience is “Sent for Review”?

If your Experience appears as ‘sent for review’ it means that you have successfully submitted your Experience, and it will soon be reviewed by our LocalBini team.

What does it mean if my Experience is “Under Review”?

If your Experience appears as ‘under review’ it mean that our team is in the process of reviewing your Experience.

How will I know if my Experience has been reviewed?

To see if your Experience has been reviewed, login to your profile and go to the Experience you have submitted. If it appears as “Listed” it means that your Experience has been reviewed by our team and is visible to the Travellers.

Your pending Requests

How will I know if I have a request for an Experience?

You will be notified via email when a Traveller requests to book your Experience. You can view your requests on your Dashboard, as well as on your LocalBini Calendar. We are currently working to have the event displayed in your mobile/laptop system calendar.

What is a Pending Request?

A pending request is a request sent by a Traveller who wants to book your Experience. Once you receive a request, you have 24 hours to accept it.

In case the Traveller requests to book a BiniPool Experience that you are allocated to, the first Local to accept this request gets the booking. If another Local accepts the request before you, it will no longer be in your Pending Requests on your Dashboard.

I received a Request but I cannot see it on my profile. Why?

In case the Traveller requests to book a BiniPool Experience that you are allocated to, the first Local to accept this request gets the booking. If another Local accepts the request before you, it will no longer be in your Pending Requests on your Dashboard.

How do I accept/decline a Pending Request?

When you click on DETAILS on the Pending Request on your Dashboard you will see all the date, time, earnings and the Traveller’s details. Here you can accept or decline the request.

There are some details missing in my Pending Request. Why?

Please contact us at [email protected]lbini.com to fix the issue.

What if my Traveller requests an Experience on a Public Holiday?

If you are not available to conduct an Experience on a Public Holiday, please contact the Traveller as soon as possible to explain the situation. The Traveller is then expected to cancel their request, and send a new request for a different day.

Your Upcoming Experiences

Please have a look at our BiniManual to give you an idea on how to prepare for your Upcoming Experience. You will receive it to your email whenever you have the first booking.

What is an Upcoming Experience?

An Upcoming Experience means that you have accepted a Pending Request sent by a Traveller. You can see it on your Dashboard and in your Calendar.

What should I do once I have an Upcoming Experience?

It is strongly recommended that you contact the Traveller on the mobile phone number provided in the details of the Upcoming Experience. Ideally, you should contact your Traveller within one week to confirm the date, time and the meeting place of the Experience.

How do I contact my Travellers?

You can contact them on the provided phone number in the details of your Upcoming Experience or or by using the call function in the App. You will also have the Traveller’s first name provided.

Where will I meet my Travellers?

You can find the Meeting Point for your Experience in the details of your Upcoming Experience. You should confirm the meeting point once you contact the Traveller or find another one. You can also agree on a Personal Pick-up where you meet the Traveller at their accommodation.

There are some details missing in my Upcoming Experience. Why?

Please contact us at [email protected] to fix the issue.

How should I prepare for an Experience?

You can follow the tips in our BiniManual that is accessible on your profile or you receive in an email when you have the first booking.

What if the Traveller has a specific condition or requirement?

If the Traveller has any specific condition (i.e. allergies, disability) that may affect their enjoyment of the Experience you need to discuss it directly with the Traveller. You should do your best to accommodate the Traveller and provide alternative solutions.

Do I have to make all reservations (for restaurants, boat trips etc.) in advance?

It is necessary that you make all necessary bookings and reservations well in advance. We also encourage you to confirm with the businesses at least 24 hours before the Experience. Keep in mind that Travellers are not expected to pay for anything during the Experience. Any additional costs (i.e. tickets, food and beverages) should be indicated in Included Features and Services when creating the Experience.

What if there is an event (i.e. demonstration) that will affect my Experience?

We advise BiniGuides to check the news for any events or external occurrences that may affect their Experience at least 24 hours prior to the Experience. In case of any complications, you should attempt to adjust your Experience and contact the Traveller about the situation. Please let us know at [email protected], if the Experience needs to be drastically changed (i.e. duration) or cancelled. For information about refunds and payments please consult our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

What do I need to take with me?

Most importantly, you need to bring your phone with the LocalBini App in order to contact your Travellers and scan their QR codes at the start and end of the Experience.

Depending on your itinerary, you may need to take specific materials or equipment with you. Also, don’t forget to bring along a BiniTreat for your Travellers to make their Experience even more memorable.

What to remember

How do I contact my Travellers?

You can contact them on the provided phone number in the details of your Upcoming Experience or by using the call function in the App. You will also have the Traveller’s first name provided.

How will I recognize my Travellers?

You should contact your Travellers 24 hours prior to the start of the Experience to exchange information about where you will meet and how you will recognize each other.

How can I make my Experience as memorable as possible?

Our BiniManual gives you advice and tips on how to provide high-quality Experiences. You can access it on your profile or in an email sent to you when you have the first booking. We advise our BiniGuides to go through this material thoroughly before conducting an Experience.

QR code

• What is the Traveller’s QR code for?
  The Traveller’s QR code is for keeping track of your Experience. It is necessary to scan the Traveller’s QR code both at the start and the end of the Experience, so that there is a proof that the Experience took place. Make sure to scan the QR codes in order to receive your earnings.
• When should I scan the QR code?
  You should scan the QR code both at the start and the end of the Experience (ideally at the Start and End Location), so that there is a proof that the Experience took place.
• How can I scan the QR code?
  You can scan the Traveller’s QR code using the LocalBini App. To do this, log in to the LocalBini App and click on SCAN THE CODE. For further assistance, please see a short video here.
• What if I scan the QR code and it doesn’t work?
  It could be the case that the Traveller is showing you a different QR code. Please make sure that they show you the LocalBini QR code which they have received in the confirmation email and SMS. If they cannot show you the LocalBini ticket but can provide you with a different QR code, check the details on the ticket (date, time, name of experience), take a picture of the valid ticket and send it to [email protected]. We will process the Experience in the system manually.
• What if the Traveller cannot provide the QR code?
  If the Travellers cannot provide the QR code, they can give you the alpha-numerical code shown in their confirmation SMS, which you can insert manually in the App (in the field Start Code and End Code). In the case that the Traveller can provide neither the QR code nor the alpha-numerical code, you should take a photo of their ticket and send it to [email protected] or contact us at +41 71 508 70 53.
• What if I forgot to scan the QR code?
  If you forgot the scan the QR code at the start of the Experience, you should scan it at the end of the Experience and inform us at [email protected]. In the case that you forgot to scan the QR code entirely you should contact us to let us know.

There is a problem. What should I do?

What if I am running late?

If you are running late you should call your Travellers and inform them using the call function on the LocalBini App. Keep in mind that your delay should not interfere with the duration of your Experience.

What if I cannot make it to my Experience?

If you cannot make to the your Experience due to unexpected events, you should call your Traveller and let them know as soon as possible. You can contact them using the call function in the App. You should also inform our team at [email protected]. With regards to cancellations and refunds, please consult our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

What if my phone runs out of battery?

You should make sure that your phone is fully charged before the Experience. Under no circumstances must you leave your phone at home, otherwise you will not be able to scan your Traveller’s QR code. We recommend to carry a power bank with you.

What if my Travellers are late?

We advise you to make an alternative plan for delays with the Travellers before the Experience. If your Travellers are not at the Meeting Point on time, you should contact them on the provided phone number. As a general rule and if you cannot reach your Travellers, kindly wait approximately 15 minutes before starting the Experience or leaving the Meeting Point. The impact of the delay on the duration of the Experience is to be discussed between you and the Traveller.

What if my Travellers do not show up?

If one or more of your Travellers do not show up you should conduct the Experience as planned. If all of the Travellers do not show up and did not cancel the Experience in due time (24 hours in advance), you are eligible to receive earnings for your Experience. In both cases, you should inform us at [email protected]. For more information regarding payments and refunds please consult our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

What about my safety?

At LocalBini, we take the safety of BiniGuides and Travellers very seriously. Should there be a serious issue, we kindly ask you to solve it professionally. Should the Traveller(s) threaten you or hurt you, please call the police. In case there is an emergency with the Traveller(s), please call the ambulance or the police.

What should I do in case of emergency?

We advise all BiniGuides to note down all emergency numbers in your country (or call 112). In the case of an emergency you should attempt to provide assistance to the Travellers to the best of your ability. If there is nothing you can do you should contact the appropriate authority as soon as possible. You should also inform us about any incidents at [email protected].

What if an Experience gets disrupted or has to be cancelled?

If an Experience gets disrupted or has to be cancelled you should let us know at [email protected]. Regarding the possibility of a refund, please consult our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Payment and Earnings

When will I receive my earnings?

Payment from the Travellers is collected through a Paypal service called Braintree. The Traveller’s credit card will be charged 24 hours after the Experience is over, i.e. from the moment the End QR code is scanned. The amount will then be added to the balance on your profile.

How will I receive my earnings?

Firstly, the amount will be added to the balance on your profile after the Experience was conducted. Then you can request a withdrawal to your bank account that you have provided in the information on your profile.

How can I withdraw money from the balance on my profile?

You can withdraw the money from your profile and have it transferred to your bank account by going to your Dashboard and clicking REQUEST WITHDRAWAL in the Summary section. Then you will be redirected to a page with your past earnings where you can click on REQUEST WITHDRAWAL. Please note that even though you can withdraw your money at any point during the month, the money will be transferred to your account on the 7th of each month. To receive your balance by the 7th, make sure to request withdrawal by the last day of each month the latest or activate automatic withdrawal.

Do I have to declare my earnings for tax purposes?

We require all BiniGuides to declare any income generated via our platform and be fully compliant with relevant and applicable tax regulations.

Do I need to collect receipts of Additional Services?

We recommend to collect all receipts associated with your experiences as this may come handy when declaring your income with your local authorities.

How much commision does LocalBini charge?

LocalBini charges 19% commission on the full amount of the transaction. Our commission includes the VAT.

Feedback and Follow-up

Do I have to do anything once the Experience is over?

We advise you to contact your Travellers after the Experience is over for a follow-up. This is a great way to ensure high-quality service and thank the Travellers for choosing your Experience. This will increase your chances of receiving good feedback and higher ratings from your Travellers.

Will I receive feedback from the Travellers?

You should expect to receive feedback from your Travellers in the form of star ratings and/or written comments. You can see all ratings on the bottom of your Experience page.

Will the feedback I receive be visible on my profile?

The feedback from your Travellers will be visible on your profile. It will be in the form of an average rating of the Experiences that you have conducted.

How can I give feedback to LocalBini?

You are welcomed to share feedback from the Experience, as well as any general comments and remarks you may have about the platform. Please send us your feedback at [email protected].

How can I promote my Experience?

We encourage our BiniGuides to promote their Experiences both during, before and after an Experience, to increase their chances of more bookings. You can share your Experience using the social media buttons located on both the App and the website. Another great way to promote your Experience and your BiniGuide profile is to take pictures during the Experience, (as long as the Traveller concedes) and share them on social media using #localbini.

About Experiences

In which cities are Experiences available?

All the available cities are listed on the LocalBini homepage.

What type of Experiences are there?

You can find different Experiences in every city. From a secret boutique shopping Experience with a gemologist to wine-tasting with an expert sommelier, LocalBini.com features authentic city Experiences that you can book based on your interests (eg. architecture, foodie, nightlife, history etc.).

How can I search for Experiences?

You can search for Experiences by selecting your destination. You will be presented with a list of the available Experiences in the given city which you can further filter by setting the preferred booking date, choosing language and/or by clicking on one of the Categories on the top of the page.

What is included in an Experience?

Every Experience is unique. It is ultimately up to the BiniGuide to decide what kind of activities they want to include in their Experience. To know exactly what is included in an Experience you should read the description of the Experience, as well as see the Additional Services.
Once the BiniGuide accepts your booking request for an Experience, you can contact him/her to talk about possible adjustments to the Experience (i.e. special needs and preferences).

What is included in the price of the Experience?

The price includes both the base price for the service of your BiniGuide, as well as Additional Services, such as admission tickets or food and beverages. In some cases a BiniGuide may indicate a maximum spending limit in the Additional Services. For example, they may indicate that the Experience price covers dinner for up to 30 euros per person.

How are the prices calculated?

All prices on the platform are calculated automatically. The price includes the rate of the BiniGuide and for the Additional Services, which are calculated per person and therefore affect the total price. Last but not least, the price includes LocalBini’s fee, as defined in the Terms and Conditions.

How many people can participate in an Experience?

The maximum number of participants depend on the given Experience and on what a BiniGuide sets as a limit.

How can I know if an Experience is available?

If an Experience is available it will appear in the search results. Upon requesting a booking, the availability will be shown more precisely, thus enabling you to easily select your preferred time for the Experience.

Booking an Experience

How can I book an Experience?

Once you have found your desired Experience, you can request a booking by clicking on the Experience and the MAKE A BOOKING button. Then you will be guided through the necessary steps to complete your Booking Request.
First, you will see a form where you can enter the precise time and date on which you want the Experience to take place, the number of Travellers, and the language you would like to have the Experience in. You can also indicate if you would like any Additional Services. Last but not least, you can list any specific needs or wishes in the Comments.

How far in advance can I book my Experiences?

You can book an Experience up to 6 months to 15 minutes in advance. However, we recommend to book a few days in advance, so that the Local can prepare a great Experience for you.

Can I book Experiences last minute?

You can book an Experience up to 15 minutes before the Experience would take place. However, we recommend to book a few days in advance, so that the Local can prepare a great Experience for you.

Do I need to register to book an Experience?

You do not need to register to book an Experience. When you book an Experience you will be asked to put in your first name and phone number, so that you can receive the Experience ticket and your BiniGuide can get in touch with you. Registering allows you to retrieve your booking and save your favorites for your next trip in the LocalBini App.

What is a Booking Request?

A Booking Request is a request you have to fill in in order to book a particular Experience. When completing a Booking Request, you must provide information such as the precise time and date you want the Experience to take place on, as well as the number of Travellers who want to participate in this Experience.

What is a Pending Request?

A Pending Request is the request you send to a BiniGuide when you want to book their Experience. Once a BiniGuide receives your request, they have 24 hours to accept it.

What is an Upcoming Experience?

An Upcoming Experience is when a BiniGuide accepts your Pending Request. This means that the BiniGuide has agreed to conduct the Experience you have requested on the specified time and date.

Where can I see my Pending Requests and Upcoming Experiences?

If you would like to see your Pending Requests or Upcoming Experiences, you need to create an account with the same email address that you have used when making the booking. To see more information about how to create an account please consult the My Account section.

How long does it take to respond to my Pending Request?

Once you have sent a Pending Request, a BiniGuide has 24 hours to accept it.

Why has my Booking Request been declined?

If your request has been declined, it is likely the case that your BiniGuide had to decline for personal or organisational reasons.

What can I do if my Booking Request has been declined?

Your credit card will not be charged. You can trigger a request for another booking or you can contact us at [email protected]. or at +41 71 508 70 53 for further assistance.

Can I get in touch with a BiniGuide before my Request has been accepted?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to get in touch with the BiniGuide before he/she has accepted your Booking Request.

Can I cancel my request before it has been accepted?

Yes, Pending Requests can be cancelled at anytime before they are accepted by the BiniGuide. You can do so via your profile (if you are registered) or via the email LocalBini sent to you under ‘Manage My Booking’. If you need help, write us at [email protected].

How can I communicate with a BiniGuide?

Once your Booking Request has been accepted by the BiniGuide, you will be able to see his/her phone number as well as the BiniGuide will have access to yours. That way you can make any necessary arrangements and get to know each other a bit before the Experience.

When can I contact a BiniGuide?

You can contact a BiniGuide once he/she has accepted your Booking Request.

How will I be updated on my booking?

You will receive emails and SMS whenever your booking status changes.

Before the Experience

What do I need to take with me?

You need to bring the Experience Ticket either printed out, downloaded as a PDF from your confirmation email or be able to show it in your Experience details in the LocalBini app on your phone. In the case that none of the above is possible, you need to write down the alphanumeric codes that you can find under the QR codes on your Experience Ticket.

You should also check the Requirements listed in the details of your Experience and consult your BiniGuide if there is anything that you need to take with you.

Where do I meet my BiniGuide?

You can find the Start Location in the details of your Experience and on the Experience Ticket. You can also arrange a different meeting location with your BiniGuide. Your Experience can include a Personal Pickup from your hotel. To see if this included in your Experience you should check Included Features and Services.

What is the Personal Pickup?

Personal Pickup is when your BiniGuide picks you up at your desired location and accompanies you to the Start Location of the Experience. To see if this service is included in your Experience you should check the Included Services and Features.

What if I cannot attend the Experience?

If you realise that you cannot attend the Experience you should contact your BiniGuide as soon as possible to let them know. You must also contact us at [email protected]. Keep in mind that if you cancel your Experience less than 24 hours in advance, a refund will not be possible. For more information on this, please consult our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

In the case that the BiniGuide has already made non-recoverable upfront costs, such as tickets or transportation costs, in preparation for the Experience, upon providing proof of payment, you are obliged to reimburse the BiniGuide. Therefore, the refund amount is to be deducted by such non-recoverable upfront costs.

What if one of the other participants cannot attend the Experience?

If one of the other participants cannot attend the Experience, the Experience will still take place, at the arranged price.

During the Experience

When does an Experience begin and end?

For the Experience to begin, you must present your Experience Start QR Code to the BiniGuide, which you have on your Experience Ticket and in the LocalBini app. To end the Experience, you need to present the End QR Code to the BiniGuide.

In the case that there is a problem with a code, you must provide the alphanumeric code under the QR code of your Experience.

Do I need Internet access during my Experience?

You do not need to have Internet access during your experience. Your Experience Start and End QR Codes are the only thing you need, which you receive in your confirmation email or they are stored in the App as soon as you book your Experience.

What if my BiniGuide does not show up?

We advise you to wait 15 minutes in case the BiniGuide is late. If your BiniGuide does not appear you should call them to find out what is going on. If the BiniGuide does not reply, you should contact us at +41 71 508 70 53 or email us at [email protected].

What if the BiniGuide cannot scan the QR code?

If the BiniGuide is not able to scan the QR code, you may give them the alphanumeric Experience Start and End Codes to input them manually. You can see them below their respective QR codes as a seven character sequence.

Do I have to pay for anything during the Experience?

You are not expected to pay for the activities included in the description of the Experience. But it might be the case that the BiniGuide imposes a maximum spending limit.

For example, if the Experience includes visiting a restaurant, the BiniGuide might only be covering the bill up to 30 euros per person. Any such limitations only apply if the BiniGuide has specified them in the description of the Experience, or in the Included Services and Features. Furthermore, Travellers are expected to pay for anything that is not explicitly mentioned in the Experience description i.e. souvenirs, refreshments.

What if my phone runs out of battery?

We highly recommend fully charging your phone before the Experience to avoid this issue. You should also write down the BiniGuide’s phone number as well as the alphanumeric code of your Experience in case this happens.

What if i cannot complete my Experience?

In the case that you cannot complete your Experience, please inform us at +41 71 508 70 53 or at [email protected]. For information about refunds please consult our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

What about my safety?

We take the safety of Travellers and BiniGuides very seriously. We advise you to make a note of emergency contacts in the area.

After the Experience

How can I rate my Experience?

After your Experience End Code has been successfully scanned you will receive an SMS to the provided phone number with a link to rate your Experience.

Can I rate my Experience later?

Yes, you can. To rate your Experience click on the link provided in an SMS received after the end of your Experience.

Can I change my Rating of an Experience?

Unfortunately, you cannot change your rating of an Experience.

Payment

How can I pay for the Experience?

Payment is processed after the Experience has taken place. To provide proof that your Experience has taken place you must present your Experience Start and End Codes to be scanned by your BiniGuide. Your payment card will be charged within 24 hours after the Experience.

When is my credit card charged?

Your credit card is charged within 24 hours after the Experience has taken place. LocalBini has contracted Paypal’s service called Braintree to execute the credit-card transactions.

Which credit cards are accepted?

The LocalBini platform currently accepts MasterCard and Visa. If you have an issue with your payment, please contact us at [email protected].

What happens if my payment cannot be processed?

If your payment cannot be processed, please contact us at [email protected] or we will contact you to resolve the issue.

How does LocalBini cover its costs?

LocalBini charges 19% commission, including VAT, on your BiniGuide’s income. It is already included in the displayed Traveller price. There are no additional fees or hidden costs.

My Account

Do I need to register to use the App?

You do not need to register to use the LocalBini App. While you have the option to do so, registration is only required when you would like to have an overview of your Pending Requests and Upcoming Experiences.

Do I need to register to book an Experience?

You do not need to register to book an Experience. When you book an Experience you will be asked to put in your first name and phone number, so that you can receive the Experience ticket and your BiniGuide can get in touch with you.

How can I register?

You can register here https://localbini.com/join-us or through the App by going to the side menu and tapping Register or Log In. From there, you can connect using your Facebook or Google account, or you can tap on the button to Register. Once you click on register, fill in the required fields to create your account.

How can I log in / log out?

You need to already have an account on our platform in order to log in or log out. If you don’t have an account yet, you can register here https://localbini.com/join-us

• Web: To log in, click the “Login” button in the top-right corner of the homepage. To log out, click on your name in the top-right corner to make the menu appear and then click “Log Out”.
• App: To log in, tap on the profile button in the bottom-right corner of the menu bar, then tap “Register or Log In” and “Log In”. To log out, tap on the same profile button, then tap “Settings” and “Log Out”.

If you cannot see the login button, it most likely because you are already logged in.

I forgot my password. How can I retrieve it?

When you access the login form, you can click on “Reset it” below to retrieve your password. Once you input your email address you will receive an email containing a link to reset your password. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folder or retry to type in your email address again making sure it is correct.

How can I change my password?

• Web: At the end of your profile page, in the Authorization section, you will find the option to edit your password. You can directly access it here https://localbini.com/guide/profile
• App: Tap on your profile picture in the side menu to open your public profile. From there you can tap on the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen to edit your profile from your phone’s browser. Then follow the steps above.

What information do I need to provide to create an account?

When creating an account, you only need to provide an email address and a password. If you are using Facebook or Google to create your account, no additional information is required until you make your first Booking Request.

Do I need to enter my credit card details when creating an account?

It is not necessary. You can enter your credit card details at any time before your first Booking Request. No fee will be charged without your explicit consent, and in any case you should not expect to be charged before you have completed your first Experience.

How are my credit card details processed?

We do not store your credit card details. They are directly passed along to our payment provider who ensures their confidentiality and safe storage. We take your privacy very seriously and that is why we use professional payment provider Braintree, which is a subsidiary of Paypal, to store your details.

What kind of picture should I use?

Your profile picture should be a photo of you. We kindly ask that your profile picture complies with our Terms and Conditions.

What will you do with my details?

All of your information is safely stored on our servers. You can access them and modify them at any time. We value your privacy, and will never communicate your details for advertising purposes.

Other App Features

What can I do on the home screen?

The home screen is where you can start exploring destinations and discovering Experiences. It is also where you can monitor and keep track of your bookings.

How can I add or remove an Experience from the wishlist?

When viewing the details of an Experience, tap on the heart button next to the title of the Experience to add or remove it from your Wishlist. You can go to your Wishlist at anytime to view your favourite Experiences, or to remove Experiences by tapping the heart button.

How can I share the App?

You can share the App by going to the side menu and tapping on INVITE YOUR FRIENDS.

How can I give feedback on the App?

You can rate our app on the AppStore/PlayStore. Alternatively, you can contact us at [email protected] to give your feedback and share your comments.

How can I communicate with the BiniGuides?

You can contact your BiniGuide on the provided phone number on the Experience Ticket once the request has been accepted. At the moment, LocalBini is currently developing Messenger which will allow you to communicate with your BiniGuide.