Join Budget Getaways

We are probably the most focussed accommodation site in South Africa. Our featured getaways meet strict inclusion criteria in terms of setting, price, attention to detail and overall WOW factor.
All our getaways are therefore handpicked and represent something out of the ordinary. If a getaway doesn't cut the grade as a 'Best Getaway' we don't take it on. Simple as that.
We have high street cred among our users. This reflects our unwavering belief in honest reviews and the value of guest feedback, whether positive or occasionally not so positive.
Unlike most other sites, we don't believe in boring our readers. Our reviews are to the point and entertaining.
Unlike most other sites, we don't fill our web pages with unnecessary fluff, lists and what-have-you. We strive to give our users what they are really looking for: a true sense of what the getaway is all about.
We have a successful 10-year track record in the Western Cape. The vast majority of our original clients are still with us today. We hope you'll agree this says something.
We offer a unique choice of three different payment options, tailored to different getaway needs. You choose what works best for you, whether it be commission, an enquiry bundle or fixed annual subscription.

100+ enquiries annual average per getaway (Western Cape)

388 enquiries   our best performing getaway in 2011

20782 page hits   our best performing getaway in 2011

1500+   number of monthly enquiries passing through our site

1 in 5 average enquiry:booking conversion rate

• A fine-looking webpage featuring the following:

~ A personalized description of your establishment.
~ Up to 24 images.
~ A user-friendly e-mail booking enquiry facility.
~ SMS alerts with every enquiry you receive.
~ An online Availability Calendar.
~ An incredibly useful online Booking manager.
~ A Google map identifying the location of your establishment.
~ Useful web stats to track the performance of your web page.
~ Access to a large pool of prospective guests via our niche-focused newsletters.
~ Guest feedback (good and bad), as it comes in.

• A flexible choice of three different payment options

• An optional one-stop 'Book & Pay' facility

• And lest we forget: A steady stream of bookings

YEAR ONE
R950.00 incl. + free 10-enquiry starter pack* + money-back guarantee*

*Our free 10-enquiry starter pack: Your annual subscription 'start date' only kicks in once you have received 10 free enquiries. Convert just one or two of these and you'll pay for your entire year's subscription! Please note: The annual fee is payable when your web page goes live.

*Our money-back guarantee: If you are not satisfied with our performance at the end of 12 months we will happily cancel your web page and refund you in full. No questions asked!

FROM YEAR TWO
From Year Two we offer a choice between a fixed 'Uncapped' annual rate and several 'Pay-as-you-Go' email bundle options. The various options provide flexibility to select a package that best suits your particular needs and enquiry rate. Please click here for the details.

Once you have received an initial email booking enquiry from our site, you deal direct with your prospective guest, whether by email, phone, fax or smoke signal. The freedom is yours - unlike most 'closed' commission-based sites that control the process from beginning to end.
You will receive an SMS alert with every email booking enquiry, containing enquiry reference number, guest name, contact number, and arrival and departure dates.
The guest receives your full contact details by email, but only once they have submitted an email booking enquiry. This protects you from unwanted spam and unwanted sales calls.
If you would like further detail about any of our payment options, please feel free to contact us.

To qualify for inclusion on our site you should meet the following:

1. Are you owner-managed? No booking agents, please.

2. Does your establishment lie off the beaten track?

3. Not essential, but do you offer self-catering (with or without optional meals)?

4. Is your establishment free-standing (preferably)? If yours is a granny flat, don't even bother.

5. Do your rates fall under R350.00 per adult per night, or the equivalent if let by the unit?

6. Now for the biggie... Is your establishment something special and out of the ordinary?

Unsure if you cut the grade? Please feel free to contact us for a quick assessment.

What makes our system different?
Unlike most commission-based sites we don't 'lock' you into the booking process until the deposit has been paid. From the moment you receive a booking enquiry from our site you're free to communicate with your potential guest via your preferred means, whether it be by email, phone or smoke signal.

How does this work in practice?
1. You receive an email enquiry via your webpage on Budget Getaways, and reply as you prefer, eg email or phone. The enquiry results in a confirmed booking and the guest pays a deposit into your account.

2. At the end of each calendar month you receive an online statement detailing all enquiries received for that month.

3. You indicate which of these enquiries resulted in a confirmed booking and their total rand value. Commission due on these bookings is then automatically calculated.

4. From here you are directed to a payment page, where commission owing for the month can be settled via instant EFT or credit card using our automatic payment getaway.

5. Voila! Your account has been settled and you're ready to start the new month on a clean slate!

What happens in the case of a booking cancellation?
You will need to factor this into your own deposit refund policy, as we unfortunately cannot offer refunds once commission has been paid. This is in line with similar commission-based sites.

What happens if I deliberately fail to declare a booking?
The success of our unique 'honesty system' relies on trust and respect between the parties. In cases where the establishment fails to act in good fatih we reserve the right to blacklist the offending establishment from our website.

May I add the commission to my rates when quoting?
No. The price you quote via this this payment option must be the same as it would be for walk-in guests, as we assure our users of a 'Best Price Guarantee'.

Are there any other fees involved?
None whatsoever. We will set up your webpage at no charge. Plus, we won't charge you so-called 'admin fees' for updating your page, adding new images, etc.

How do I make the most of my enquiries?
1. We highly recommend you keep an up-to-date Budget Getaways availability calendar - this will reduce the number of redundant enquiries you receive, and will help us help you.

2. Treat every enquiry as gold, by way of quick and comprehensive follow up (by email and a friendly phone call). This will improve your booking conversion rate.

3. Actively monitor your enquiry:booking conversion rate. If you are not converting at least 1 in 5 enquiries you are likely doing something wrong.

4. Repeat the following several times when you wake up in the morning: "Every booking enquiry is sacred." "Every booking enquiry is sacred." "Every booking enquiry is sacred..."

10 free enquiries?
That's correct. These will provide you with an opportunity to become familiar with the Budget Getaways system, our availability calendar and other useful features. You may well also convert one or two of these enquiries and in the process cover the cost of your first enquiry bundle!

Which enquiry bundle is best for me?
Only you can decide this, though we suggest you start off small and upgrade once you've established your enquiry rate.

Where will find my booking enquiry stats?
These are included with every booking enquiry you receive from Budget Getaways. Furthermore, your login account on the Getaway Zone features a monthly breakdown of your enquiry, as well as subscription, stats.

How do I top-up an enquiry bundle?
Very easy. You will receive an email reminder and direct link to renew your subscription when your current bundle approaches expiry. Payment can be made by bank deposit, instant EFT or credit card.

What about duplicate enquiries?
These account for less than 5% of total enquiries. Wherever identified by the system, they will automatically be filtered out of your enquiry count so as not to affect your credit balance.

What about enquiries for dates I've marked off as 'booked'?
Again, our system can deal with this scenario - as long as your Budget Getaways availability calendar is up to date. When a user enters a date that's already booked a message comes up stating this is the case, and requests a change in dates or accommodation unit (if applicable).

What about 'minimum stays'?
Yet again, you can stipulate your minimum stay periods for a particular month and unit - thereby preventing enquiries for periods shorter than your stipulated minimum.

Can I stipulate minimum guest numbers?
You sure can, via a direct request to ourselves.

What about enquiries that are blatant spam?
If this ever happens, simply forward us a copy of the enquiry and we will credit your account.

Will I be reminded when my bundle is depleted?
Yes, you will receive prior warning by email and SMS.

Do the enquiry bundles have an expiry date?
No (unlike your local cellphone network).

Can I cancel an enquiry bundle and get a refund?
Unfortunately not.

Can I switch from a bundle to another payment option, eg Commission?
You may do so at the end of Year-One. Likewise with our other payment options.

How do I make the most of my enquiry bundles?
1. It's imperative that you keep an up-to-date Budget Getaways availability calendar - this will reduce the number of redundant enquiries you receive, and will help us help you.

2. Treat every enquiry as gold, by way of quick and comprehensive follow up (by email and a friendly phone call). This will improve your booking conversion rate.

3. Actively monitor your enquiry:booking conversion rate. If you are not converting at least 1 in 5 enquiries you are likely doing something wrong.

4. Repeat the following several times when you wake up in the morning: "Every booking enquiry is sacred." "Every booking enquiry is sacred." "Every booking enquiry is sacred..."

Are there any other fees involved?
None whatsoever. We will set up your webpage at no charge. Plus, unlike other sites we don't charge you so-called 'admin fees' for updating your page, adding new images, etc.

10 free enquiries?
That's correct. The start date of your 12 month subscription only kicks in once you have received 10 free enquiries. These will provide you with an opportunity to become familiar with the Budget Getaways system, our calendars and other useful features. You may well also convert one or two of these enquiries and in the process cover your Year-one subs!

Money-back satisfaction guarantee?
Absolutely. If you're not happy with our performance at the end of your annual subscription, we will happily cancel your webpage on our site and refund you in full. We want Budget Getaways to work for you, and endeavour to do what it takes to achieve this.

When do I pay for my subscription?
Payment is due when your webpage goes live on our site.

What happens at the end of Year-one?
You will receive a renewal reminder 30 days before your subscription is due to expire. At this point you can either renew with an Enquiry Bundle tailored to your needs (and determined by your Year-one enquiry rate) or change to '15% Commission'. The choice is yours.

Are there any other fees involved?
None whatsoever. We will set up your webpage at no charge. Plus, unlike other sites we don't charge so-called 'admin fees' for updating your page, adding new images, etc.

Can I switch halfway through the year to another payment option?
Unfortunately not. You may however do so at the end of your Year-One.

How do I make the most of my enquiries?
1. We highly recommend you keep an up-to-date Budget Getaways availability calendar - this will reduce the number of redundant enquiries you receive, and will help us help you.

2. Treat every enquiry as gold, by way of quick and comprehensive follow up (by email and a friendly phone call). This will improve your booking conversion rate.

3. Actively monitor your enquiry:booking conversion rate. If you are not converting at least 1 in 5 enquiries you are likely doing something wrong.

4. Repeat the following several times when you wake up in the morning: "Every booking enquiry is sacred." "Every booking enquiry is sacred." "Every booking enquiry is sacred..."