Terms of Service
Last updated: 9 June 2026
These terms govern your use of NovaBid, a marketplace operated by NovaBid Ltd, a company registered in Scotland (company number SC886622). By creating an account or using the service you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use the service.
1. What NovaBid does
NovaBid is a marketplace where small and medium businesses ("SMBs") post hotel-stay requirements and independent hotels submit competing offers. We facilitate the introduction and process payment, but the booking contract is between the SMB and the chosen hotel. We are not the hotel and we do not own or operate the rooms you book.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 and legally able to contract on behalf of the business you represent. SMB accounts are for business travel only, not for personal leisure travel. Hotel accounts are for licensed accommodation businesses with the legal right to sell the rooms they list.
3. Posting trip requests (SMBs)
You may post trip requests with accurate details. Hotels rely on this information when bidding. You may cancel a request before any offer is accepted at no cost. Once an offer is accepted and payment is taken, NovaBid's platform cancellation rule applies to every booking: cancel more than 48 hours before check-in for a full refund; within 48 hours of check-in, or a no-show, the payment stands and the hotel is paid.
4. Submitting offers (hotels)
Hotels may submit offers in response to open requests. By submitting an offer, you commit to honour it at the price and on the terms shown if the SMB accepts within the offer's validity period. You are responsible for confirming room availability before submitting.
5. Pricing, payment, and commission
SMBs pay the full booking value at confirmation, by card via Stripe. Hotels receive 88% of the booking value (the "payout"); NovaBid retains 12% as commission, our standard platform rate. Your share is released at the moment of booking via Stripe Connect and typically reaches your bank within 7 days, not weeks after the guest checks out. The rate that applies to a booking is the rate in force when that booking is made, and never changes after the fact. Founding-partner hotels keep even more: a hotel that NovaBid has admitted as a founding partner is charged a reduced commission of 10%, fixed for the lifetime of the account for as long as it remains open and in good standing, and confirmed to the hotel in writing at onboarding.
6. Refunds and disputes
Refunds follow NovaBid's platform cancellation rule, which is the same on every offer: full refund more than 48 hours before check-in, no refund within 48 hours or for a no-show. Hotels cannot set stricter terms on an individual offer. Where the hotel cancels for reasons within its control, NovaBid will issue a full refund and the hotel may be charged a service interruption fee. Disputes are first attempted to be resolved between SMB and hotel via the platform; unresolved disputes are escalated to NovaBid for review.
7. Acceptable use
You will not: post fake or misleading information; use the platform to harvest data on hotels or guests; attempt to circumvent the booking flow or payment process to avoid commission; resell or rebrand the service; reverse engineer the platform. In particular, where you have been introduced to a hotel through NovaBid (by an offer, a message exchange, or a booking), you agree that for twelve (12) months from the most recent introduction or booking you will not arrange bookings with that hotel off-platform where the opportunity arose from that introduction. Booking through NovaBid costs you nothing extra, perks, payment protection and confirmation only apply to bookings made through the platform.
8. Account suspension and termination
We may suspend or terminate accounts that breach these terms, fail KYC checks, or pose a fraud risk. We will give reasonable notice where possible; immediate suspension may apply where the conduct presents a security or financial risk.
9. Liability
NovaBid's liability is limited to commission paid by you in the 12 months before the event giving rise to the claim. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, lost profits, or for the conduct of independent hotels or guests on the platform. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be excluded by law (e.g. for fraud or for personal injury caused by negligence).
10. Changes
We may update these terms as the service evolves. Material changes are communicated by email at least 14 days in advance. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.
11. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of Scotland. Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts, save that consumers may bring proceedings in their country of residence.
12. Contact
Questions about these terms can be sent to hello@novabid.co.uk.