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Learning Hub · Policies

Bookings Policy

Control how bookings are confirmed and when payment becomes due

What does this policy do?

The bookings policy controls the lifecycle of every new booking — from submission by the client, through your review, to confirmation. You decide whether bookings are confirmed automatically or require manual approval, and when the client becomes liable to pay.

The booking lifecycle

A booking goes through several stages. Each toggle here controls a different part of that journey.

Confirm Before Onboarding

The booking must be confirmed by you before the client enters the onboarding pipeline (Meet & Greet, assessments, etc.)

Confirm Before Payment Liability

The client only becomes liable to pay once you manually confirm. Until then, they can cancel for free.

Free Cancellation While Pending

If a booking is still "Pending" (not yet confirmed), the client can cancel without any charge — even if your cancellation policy would normally apply.

Auto-Confirm Bookings

Bookings are confirmed instantly when submitted — no manual review by you. Use carefully: the client is immediately liable.

Booking flow with manual confirmation

Client submits a 3-night boarding for Max

Client submits booking

Pending
👀

You review in dashboard

Under Review

You confirm the booking

Confirmed
📅

Booking appears on calendar

Active

What happens when settings change

Click each scenario to see the result and email preview

Auto-Confirm is turned ON

New bookings skip the pending/review stage and are confirmed immediately. The client receives a confirmation email straight away, and the cancellation policy applies from that moment.

Booking Confirmed!

to: client@example.com

Great news! Your boarding booking for Max (3 nights, 15–18 Jan) has been automatically confirmed. Your cancellation policy applies from now.

Free Cancellation While Pending is ON + Auto-Confirm is OFF

Clients can browse and tentatively book, then cancel for free until you review. This gives both sides flexibility.

Booking Received — Awaiting Confirmation

to: client@example.com

We've received your booking request for Max (3 nights). It's currently pending review. You can cancel free of charge while it remains pending.

Tips & best practices

If you're just starting, keep Auto-Confirm OFF — it gives you control to check availability before committing.

Turning on "Confirm Before Payment Liability" is great for trial periods with new clients.

"Free Cancellation While Pending" builds trust with clients — they can book without pressure.

When this policy is inactive, all bookings default to basic behaviour with no special gates.


Learning Hub • Bookings Policy

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