Frequently asked questions
What is GOMIO.COM?
Basically GOMIO.COM is a portal for confirmed credit-card books for hostels throughout the world. GOMIO.COM is also a guide to this planet we love, and, as we also want to know what you think, full of features that allows you the traveller to have your say.
What kind of hostels are listed on GOMIO.COM?
Pretty much all of them! At least, that is the aim. Alongside all the hostels that agree to make their beds available on GOMIO.COM, we also try to list all other hostels on the website as well. If you know of any that are not listed, then let us know by sending a mail to info@gomio.com.
We will list all accommodation providers that cater in the main for backpackers and low budget travellers, and that are legal. But remember, a listing in itself is no quality statement!
Why should I pay a down payment... does it make any sense?
When making an online credit card confirmed booking on GOMIO.COM, you will be paying us a down payment of 10% which is included in the price for your stay. Some of you may be asking, well, what’s the point? Does it make any sense? It’s a good question, and the answer is...
It depends. There are certain advantages with online credit card confirmed bookings:
- You get immediate confirmation, guaranteed and secured with a confirmation number
- No hassle with phone calls and no language problems
- Saves you internet time searching for individual hostels webpages
- Cheaper than repeated international telephone calls
- You can compare directly the hostels in the place that you want to go
Some hostels do offer credit card confirmed bookings through their own homepages, some only do so on portals such as GOMIO.COM. In high season a portal is very often the ONLY way to get a bed at all in popular hostels. In other situations, if you are already in the country or it is low season, it might be cheaper to simply call the hostel or make no booking at all. At some hostels it might be cheaper to use the hostels own booking facilities.
How much is the down payment?
OK, so we haven’t lost you yet! But you want to know how much you have to pay, right?
The down payments for GOMIO.COM consist of 10% of the total price of your stay
The rest of the price for your stay you will pay directly once you get there.
The down payment ensures you an instant online reservation and you do not have to worry about confirmations, phone calls or arrival times (some hostels however ask for this when you make your GOMIO.COM booking).
Which credit cards does GOMIO.COM accept?
The GOMIO.COM booking system accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards.
Is my booking secure?
Yes, as secure as possible. Please check our Security Statement for more information.
Can I make a booking without a credit card?
Of course you can, but sadly not with us! You can call the hostel, as phone numbers are listed on the relevant pages. This will normally be more expensive than making a confirmed online booking with a credit card however.
Can I use the credit card of someone else?
Yes you can. By accepting the Terms and Conditions of GOMIO.COM, you are declaring that you are legally responsible for the booking process and that you have the right to use this particular card.
How do I cancel or change my booking?
To cancel or alter your booking, you need to get in contact with the hostel directly. The same goes for any special requests you might have. In the confirmation email that you are sent after you made your booking you will find all information such as telephone numbers and email addresses.
You must cancel your reservation at least 24 hours before the day of arrival, otherwise the hostel is entitled to charge you for the first night of your stay. If you cancel, please keep a copy of the cancellation mail, as GOMIO.COM or the hostel may require the proof that you have cancelled. Please note! If a hostel has special term and conditions, they will be detailed in your booking confirmation email and they will supersede Gomio’s general cancellation policy
Is the down payment refundable?
This is a standard, non-refundable down payment.
Is a hostel full when GOMIO.COM shows ‘no availability’?
Not necessarily. There are only very, very few hostels that make all of their beds available online. So even if GOMIO.COM can’t help, and there is a particular hostel that you must stay in no matter what, then call them, send them an email, a postcard, a telegram or just walk in... online booking is not the only way to book hostels, just a very convenient way to secure you a bed in your favourite hostel.
How can I rank a hostel or write reviews?
The rankings and reviews on GOMIO.COM are written by people who have made a booking through GOMIO.COM, and therefore we can be sure that the people writing the reviews have actually been there. Once you have made a booking with GOMIO.COM, we will send you all the necessary information in order to rank and review the hostel by email.
Do you censor?
We would say no, although we do allow the hostel owners a right of reply! Seriously, we will only remove reviews if they use overly insulting or discriminatory language, or break local law for any reason. We urge people, when they make their reviews, to try and DESCRIBE their experience, even if it is a bad one, rather than simply rant and rave.
Reviews and ratings are very important for hostels and influence the decision-making of their potential guests. Hostels have the right to get a fair description of what the reviewer liked and disliked a place, and other travellers who read it have that right as well. This is the only way to improve hostels in general.
In certain cases we will make sure that the reviewer actually stayed at the place, and check the accuracy of any factual claims made by a reviewer.
Can I trust the information on this site?
We hope so. We promise that we are absolutely impartial regarding any individual hostel, but support hostelling in general. Our founding principle is total impartiality, even towards the hostels that run this portal.
As for the other information on the website, with regards the articles and country guides etc, we make every endeavour to make sure all information is up to date, but if you spot an error let us know, we always love to hear feedback! The email address is info@gomio.com.
I own a hostel and want to be listed on GOMIO.COM... how?
Sounds great! You want your hostel to become more popular and to have more bookings, you want also to generate more income and to network with more business partners… then just go’n fill our regsitration form and join GOMIO.COM for free! https://www.gomio.com/EHC/Hostel-Register-Form.aspx
I want to advertise on GOMIO.COM... how?
The GOMIO.COM Advertising Program offers advertising space for websites, hostels, walking tours or any other business involved in the backpacking or low budget travel business that makes visitors interested in the presented companies.
What are the benefits of Advertising with us?
- You will increase your current website traffic!
- You will expand your target market!
- You have an economical advertising space!
- You will create more interest in you company and products!
Mail us to info@gomio.com for advertisement space!
Where can I find the terms and conditions for this Website?
Right here...
I need more help! How do I contact you guys?
Easy. Send us an email to info@gomio.com or check out the Contact Us page.
You can also chat with us:
