policies & guidelines - business

Don’t BUGMe I’m On Vacation

Don’t BUGMe I’m On Vacation (“BUGMe”, “we”, “us”, “our”) exists to help independent tourism businesses connect with travelers who value authentic, local experiences.

These policies explain how business listings work on BUGMe, what participation in the Road Trip Pass program involves, and how we work together to maintain clarity, fairness, and trust.

The Road Trip Pass is built on a simple premise: an honest deal at a fair price.


1. Types of Business Listings

BUGMe includes two types of business listings:

Map Listings

  • Included on the BUGMe map for discovery

  • No Road Trip Pass savings offered

  • Clearly marked as non-participating

Participating Businesses

  • Agree to offer a standard 20% savings to Road Trip Pass holders

  • Clearly marked as participating

  • Highlighted to pass holders while they design their travel plans

Both listing types help create a complete, trustworthy adventure map.

2. What BUGMe Is (and Is Not)

BUGMe is a discovery and referral platform.

  • We are not a booking or reservation service

  • We do not process payments on behalf of businesses

  • We do not set pricing, schedules, or availability

All bookings, payments, customer service, changes, and refunds happen directly between the business and the traveler.


3. Participating Business Commitment

Participating Businesses agree to:

  • Offer 20% savings on their principal activity

  • Offer the same standard savings as all other participating businesses

The savings:

  • Apply only to the principal business offering

  • Do not apply to:

    • Add-ons such as merchandise, photos, upgrades, or other sundries

    • Already discounted or group-rate offerings

    • Items restricted by law (e.g. alcohol, tobacco)

Participation is free.
BUGMe takes no commissions or fees from your sales.


4. Principal Business Offering

Your principal activity is defined as:

  • The primary experience or service described in your BUGMe listing, and/or

  • The main function of your business as presented publicly

Some businesses may have more than one principal activity. In these cases, savings should be clearly reflected in the listing.

Accuracy protects both your reputation and ours.

5. Accepting Road Trip Pass Holders

To receive savings, travelers must:

  1. Have an Active Road Trip Pass

  2. Inform you before booking or point of purchase

  3. Present their pass at check-in

Savings:

  • Are not retroactive

  • Do not apply to existing reservations

  • Cannot be combined with other discounts

  • Are not applicable if purchased at time of booking

Businesses are encouraged to verify pass status via:


6. Availability & Business Discretion

Participating Businesses:

  • Retain full control over scheduling

  • Are not required to accept pass holders if fully booked

  • Must treat Road Trip Pass holders the same as any other reservation - no “blackout dates” or other scheduling limitations

The Road Trip Pass is designed to attract aligned travelers — not override business operations.

7. Affiliate Participation

Participating Businesses may also choose to become affiliates.

  • Affiliate participation is optional

  • Affiliates earn commissions for Road Trip Passes sold through their unique link or QR code

  • Selling passes does not obligate you to honor savings on reservations made before a pass is active

Affiliate terms are governed separately under the Affiliate Policies.


8. Accuracy, Representation & Conduct

Businesses are expected to:

  • Keep listings accurate and up to date

  • Use honest and accurate descriptions and tags

  • Represent BUGMe and the Road Trip Pass accurately

Misrepresentation may result in:

  • Listing updates

  • Removal from participation

  • Removal from the map in serious cases

These decisions are handled case-by-case.


9. Removal or Exit

  • Businesses may request listing updates or removal at any time

  • If a business withdraws from participation, existing reservations made while participating must still be honored

There are no long-term contracts.


10. What You Can Expect From Us

BUGMe is operated by people with experience in tourism operations, guiding, and destination management.

You can expect us to:

  • Communicate clearly and honestly

  • Address issues in good faith

  • Improve the platform as we learn

  • Act in service of mutual benefit


Final Note

BUGMe is designed to support:

  • Independent businesses

  • Better-matched travelers

  • Aligned Affiliates

  • Sustainable, respectful tourism

If a business is seeking to game the system or maximize volume at the expense of experience, this program is likely not a good fit.

If you value fairness, clarity, and serving the right guests — welcome

business page
Participation agreement
business FAQ