Last updated: May 25, 2026
Overview
Yoresa Reserve uses a protected payment model to ensure security for both guests and providers. This policy explains how payments are processed, held, and released.
Marketplace Payment Model
Yoresa Reserve does not manually hold guest funds in its ordinary business account. Guest funds are processed, safeguarded and released through regulated marketplace payment infrastructure (Stripe Connect, Paystack Marketplace, Flutterwave Marketplace, M-Pesa partner rails, or other approved providers). Yoresa receives only its platform commission/service fee as revenue. Funds are held and controlled by the payment partner until booking milestones are met.
Guest Payments
When a guest books a listing:
- Guest pays the full amount securely through Yoresa Reserve
- Payment is processed via our regulated marketplace payment partners (Stripe Connect, Paystack Marketplace, Flutterwave Marketplace, M-Pesa partner rails)
- Funds are held and controlled by the payment partner (not Yoresa's business account) until the booking milestone is reached
- Guest receives booking confirmation immediately
- Payment status shows "Funds held by payment partner" to confirm third-party safeguarding
Fund Holding Period
Guest payments are held until one of the following occurs:
- Accommodation: Check-in is confirmed or 24 hours after check-in time
- Event spaces/Meeting rooms: Booking start time has passed
- Equipment/Vehicle hire: Pickup confirmed or rental period started
- Services/Experiences: Service completion confirmed
- Appointments: Appointment time has passed
Provider Payouts
After the booking milestone is reached:
- Yoresa deducts the provider commission (currently 5% launch rate)
- Remaining amount is scheduled for payout to provider
- Payout is sent via provider's chosen method (bank transfer, mobile money, etc.)
- Processing time: 1-5 business days depending on method and country
Example: For a £100 booking, Yoresa deducts £5 commission (5%). Provider receives £95 payout after booking milestone.
Payment & Payout Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guest Payment Pending | Booking confirmed, awaiting guest payment |
| Guest Payment Received | Guest payment received by payment partner |
| Funds Held by Payment Partner | Funds held and controlled by regulated payment partner (not Yoresa business account) |
| Awaiting Check-in/Service Start | Waiting for booking milestone (check-in, service start, pickup confirmation) |
| Payout Scheduled | Milestone reached, payout to provider being processed by payment partner |
| Payout Released to Provider | Funds sent to provider's connected account (minus Yoresa commission) |
| Payout Paused Due to Dispute | Payout held by payment partner due to open dispute |
| Refunded | Full refund issued to guest via payment partner |
| Partially Refunded | Partial refund issued via payment partner |
| Cancelled | Booking cancelled, no payout due |
Note: All payment statuses reflect processing through regulated marketplace payment infrastructure. Yoresa does not hold funds in its ordinary business account.
Disputes and Payout Holds
If a dispute is opened:
- Provider payout is automatically paused
- Yoresa Admin reviews evidence from both parties
- Payout may be released, refunded, or split based on resolution
- Decision communicated to both guest and provider
Refunds
Refunds are processed according to:
- Provider's cancellation policy
- Timing of cancellation relative to booking start
- Reason for cancellation (guest vs provider)
- Dispute resolution outcome if applicable
Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 5-10 business days.
Payment Methods
Guests can pay via:
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
- Mobile money (M-Pesa, MTN, Airtel, etc.)
- Bank transfer (country-dependent)
- Other local payment methods
Compliance Notice
Important: Yoresa uses regulated marketplace payment infrastructure for holding and releasing funds. Yoresa does not operate as an unregulated escrow provider. All payment handling complies with applicable financial regulations in operating jurisdictions.
Comprehensive Fee Structure
Yoresa Reserve uses a transparent, comprehensive fee model that includes payment provider processing charges:
Default Launch Fee Model
- Booking subtotal: Base booking amount (goes to provider)
- Yoresa guest protection/service fee: 2% of booking subtotal
- Yoresa provider commission: 5% of booking subtotal
- Payment processing fee: 1.5% + fixed fee (e.g., £0.30) - typically passed to guest
- Payout/transfer fee: Configurable (default: absorbed by Yoresa)
Example Calculation (£100 Booking)
Guest Pays:
- Booking subtotal: £100.00
- Guest protection fee (2%): +£2.00
- Payment processing fee (1.5% + £0.30): +£1.80
- Total payable today: £103.80
Provider Receives:
- Booking value: £100.00
- Less Yoresa commission (5%): -£5.00
- Net provider payout: £95.00
Yoresa Revenue:
- Guest protection fee: +£2.00
- Provider commission: +£5.00
- Payment processing fee: covered by guest
- Yoresa net platform revenue: £7.00
Admin Fee Configuration
Admin can configure the following fee settings:
- Provider commission percentage (default: 5%)
- Guest protection/service fee percentage (default: 2%)
- Payment processing fee percentage and fixed amount
- Who pays processing fee: guest, provider, or absorbed by Yoresa
- Payout/transfer fee percentage and fixed amount
- Who pays payout/transfer fee: provider or absorbed by Yoresa
- Country-specific payment fee rules
- Payment-method-specific fee rules (card, mobile money, etc.)
- Currency-specific fee rules
Payment processing fees may vary depending on payment method, card type, country, currency, mobile money provider, or banking provider. The full amount payable will always be shown before you confirm your booking.