Help centre
How booking, paying, cancelling and hosting work on Ben&Co.
Booking a stay
How do I book?
Open a listing, choose your dates and guests, and tap Reserve. On the Confirm and pay page check the details, add a note for the host if you like, and confirm. You'll see the booking in Trips and get a confirmation email.
Do I need an account?
Yes. Booking, messages, reviews and wishlists are tied to your account so they follow you on every device. Sign in with a one-time code sent to your email, or with Google.
Is my booking confirmed straight away?
Yes — dates lock the moment you confirm, so nobody else can book them. The host is told by email.
Why can't I pick certain dates?
Nights that are already booked or blocked by the host are crossed out. Some hosts also set a minimum stay; the calendar tells you when your dates are too short.
Paying
When do I pay?
You pay the host when you arrive. Nothing is charged when you book.
Can I pay by card online?
Not yet. Online card payment is coming soon; until then the card option is shown but switched off.
Does Ben&Co charge fees?
No booking or service fees right now. The total you see is what the stay costs.
Cancelling
How do I cancel my stay?
In Trips, open the stay and tap Cancel reservation. It's free until the day you arrive. The host is emailed and the dates free up.
What if the host cancels?
You'll get an email straight away. Nothing has been charged, so there's nothing to refund — you can book another place.
Messages
How do I contact a host?
Tap Message host on the listing or in Trips. Your conversation stays in Messages, and you'll see a badge when there's something new.
Will I know when someone replies?
Yes — you get an email when a new message arrives, and the Messages tab shows how many are unread.
Reviews
How do I leave a review?
After you check out, open Trips → Past and tap Write a review. Give 1–5 stars and a few words; your first name and photo appear with it.
Can hosts answer reviews?
Yes, hosts can reply publicly; the reply appears under the review on the listing.
Hosting
How do I list my place?
Tap List your property and follow the steps: type, location, guests, amenities, at least five photos, a title and your nightly price. It goes live as soon as you publish.
Where do I manage bookings?
In hosting (Switch to hosting): today's arrivals, reservations, messages, earnings and reviews. You can edit, pause or delete your listing any time.
How do I block dates?
In hosting → Calendar, choose the listing and the dates. Blocked nights can't be booked; you can unblock them later.
Your account
I didn't get the sign-in code
Check your spam folder and that the address is right, then ask for a new code. Codes expire after a short time.
What do hosts see about me?
Your first name, photo and what you add to your profile. Never your email, surname or phone — hosts only get your phone if you add it when booking.
Where are my saved places?
Tap the heart on any place; it's saved to your account under Wishlists.