Peapod User Manual - Guest Guide

Version: v0.19.0 Last Updated: December 17, 2025 Platform: iOS (iPhone, iPad)

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4. For Guests

4.1 Guest Overview

语言设置: 首次在中国区使用时默认显示简体中文，用户可在登录页面右上角切换至 English 界面。

As a guest, you can: - 🔍 Search & Browse - Find accommodations by location, dates, amenities - 🧠 Smart AI Search - Use Trip Intent Detection for personalized results - 📅 Book Stays - Reserve properties with secure payment - 🎁 Add Experiences (Future feature – not available in Release 1.0 China) - Optional activity bundles during booking - 💬 Message Hosts - Ask questions before/during your stay - ⭐ Leave Reviews - Share your experience with photos - 🎁 Earn Rewards - Loyalty points for bookings - 📱 Manage Trips - View upcoming and past stays - 👥 Refer Friends & Hosts - Earn rewards through referrals - ⚙️ Set Preferences - Customize your experience

New Features: - Trip Intent Detection - AI Search understands trip types (work, family, romantic) and auto-applies relevant filters - Experience Bundles (Future feature – not available in Release 1.0 China) - Curated local activities, tours, and services available during booking

4.2 Browse & Search for Accommodations

4.2.1 Explore View (Home Screen)

Location: Main tab → “Explore” (magnifying glass icon)

What You’ll See: - Smart Search Bar (2 buttons: Search, AI Search) - Map/List view toggle - Featured listings grid/list - Nearby search button - Saved searches bookmark button - Filter button with active count badge - Listing count badge - Sort button (right next to listing count badge) - Favorites heart icon - Notification bell

Top Navigation Bar: - Map toggle (map/list.bullet icon) - Switch between list and map view - Saved searches (bookmark icon) - Access your saved search criteria - Nearby search (location icon) - Find listings near your current location - Listing count badge (house icon + number) - See total available listings - Sort button (next to listing count) - Choose how to sort results - Favorites filter (heart icon) - Show only favorited properties - Filter button (slider.horizontal.3 icon) - Open advanced filters - Notification bell - View notifications

How to Navigate: - Scroll vertically - Browse listings - Tap search bar - Enter specific search - Toggle map - Switch between list and map view - Tap nearby - Find listings near your location - Tap heart - Toggle favorites-only filter - Tap filter - Open filter sheet

4.2.2 Map View

What Is Map View?

Interactive map interface for visual exploration of listings. Perfect for: - Understanding property locations in context - Seeing clusters of options in specific neighborhoods - Evaluating proximity to points of interest - Adjusting search radius visually - Comparing distances between properties

Location: Explore view → Toggle “List/Map” button (top nav) OR auto-activated by Nearby Search

Key Features: 1. Search Circle Visualization - Pink circle shows search area with adjustable radius (5-50 miles) 2. Inline Radius Control - Real-time slider without leaving map view 3. Search & AI Search Buttons - Direct search access from map 4. Distance Display - See exact distance to each listing 5. Map Style Toggle - Switch between Standard/Satellite/Hybrid views 6. Session Persistence - Radius preference saved across app restarts

Map View Booking Flow:

1. Open Map View: Tap map toggle button or use Nearby Search
2. See Search Circle: Pink circle shows your search area (default 25 miles)
3. Adjust Radius: Use inline slider at bottom to expand/shrink search area
4. Browse Listings: Tap pins on map to see property cards
5. Change Map Style: Tap style button for Standard/Satellite/Hybrid view
6. Search or Filter: Use top bar buttons to refine results
7. View Details: Tap listing card to see full property details

Map Controls: - Search Button - Opens search sheet to enter new location - AI Search Button - Natural language search - Sort Button - Reorder listings (turns pink when active) - Filter Button - Apply detailed filters - Radius Slider - Adjust search radius (5-50 miles) - Style Button - Toggle Standard/Satellite/Hybrid - Zoom In - Plus (+) button on right side to zoom in - Zoom Out - Minus (-) button on right side to zoom out - Pan/Move Map - Drag map to explore different areas

Map Interaction - Listing Card Popup:

When you tap a listing pin on the map, a compact listing card pops up showing: - Property photo (swipeable if multiple photos) - Property title - Price per night - Distance from search center (e.g., “0.8 mi”, “3.2 mi”) - Guest capacity (e.g., “4 guests”) - Star rating and review count (if available) - Quick preview of key amenities

Using the Listing Card: 1. Tap a pin on the map - Listing card pops up at bottom of screen 2. Swipe photos - See multiple property images (if available) 3. Tap the card - Opens full listing detail page (section 1.6) 4. Tap X or tap map elsewhere - Dismiss the card 5. Tap another pin - Card updates to show that listing

Card Benefits: - ✅ Preview listings without leaving map view - ✅ Compare nearby properties quickly - ✅ See photos and price at a glance - ✅ Fast navigation to full details

Distance Display: Distance badges appear on listing cards showing accurate distance from your search location (e.g., “0.8 mi”, “3.2 mi”). Also visible in List view when using Nearby Search or “Nearest First” sort.

See Appendix B for technical details on PostGIS backend, search circle architecture, and performance optimizations.

4.2.3 Search Listings

How to Search: 1. Tap search bar at top of Explore view 2. Enter your destination (e.g., “Sea World, San Diego”) 3. Select dates (check-in and check-out) 4. Add guests (adults and children) 5. Tap “Search X places” to see instant results

Search Results: - List of available properties - Price per night displayed - Key amenities shown - Distance from search center - Guest rating (if reviewed) - Favorite heart icon (tap to favorite)

4.2.4 View Listing Details

Tap any listing card from search results to open the detailed listing page with all property information.

Listing Detail Page Sections:

A. Photo Gallery - Swipe left/right through the photo carousel - Tap any photo to view full-screen - Pinch to zoom for details - Tap X to close full-screen view

B. Property Overview - Property title and location - Host name with profile photo - Price per night - Guest capacity - Bedroom, bathroom, and bed counts

C. Amenities - Complete list with icons - Organized by category (Essential, Features, Safety) - Tap “Show all” for full list if truncated

D. Booking and Cancellation - Cancellation policy information - Flexible, Moderate, or Strict policy details - Refund schedule based on cancellation timing

E. House Rules - Check-in and check-out times - Smoking, pet, and event policies - Additional property-specific rules

F. Nearby - Nearby points of interest - Distance to attractions and landmarks - Local amenities and facilities

G. Where You’ll Sleep - Bedroom breakdown with bed types - Visual representation of sleeping arrangements - Total bed count and bed types (Queen, King, Single, etc.) - Shows each bedroom’s configuration

H. About This Space - Detailed property description written by the host - Highlights unique features and amenities

I. Where You’ll Be - Interactive map showing exact property location - Distance to city center

J. Reviews - Overall rating (1-5 stars) and total review count - Rating breakdown showing distribution across star levels - Filter by star rating (All, 5 Stars, 4 Stars, etc.) - Individual guest reviews with: - Reviewer name, avatar, and date - Star rating and review text - Photo gallery (swipe horizontally if photos included) - “Show more” button for longer reviews - Host responses (if any)

Review Photo Gallery: - Photos display in a horizontal scrollable row below review text - Swipe left/right to browse all photos - Tap photo to view full size (future feature)

K. Booking Section (Bottom Sticky) - Price breakdown showing all costs - Date selector for check-in/check-out - Guest count selector - “Book Now” (instant book) or “Request to Book” button

How to Book: 1. Select your dates using the calendar 2. Adjust guest count 3. Review the price breakdown (nightly rate × nights + fees) 4. Tap “Book Now” or “Request to Book”

L. Q&A Section - Public questions and answers between guests and host - “Ask a Question” button for pre-booking inquiries - Faster than private messaging for common questions

How to Ask a Question: 1. Scroll to “Q&A” section 2. Tap “Ask a Question” 3. Type your question 4. Tap “Submit” 5. Receive notification when the host answers

Common Questions to Ask: - Check-in procedures - Parking availability - Pet accommodations - Suitability for children/elderly - Nearby amenities - WiFi speed - Any listing-specific questions

4.2.5 Filter & Sort Results

Opening Filter Sheet:

From the Explore view, tap the filter button (top right) to open the filter sheet. You’ll see a 2x4 grid of 8 filter sections. Select any section to configure filters, and the live count updates as you make changes. Tap “Show X results” to apply filters and return to search results.

Filter Sections (8 Total):

1. Price - Set your budget with a range slider ($0 - $1000+) - Quick select options: Under $100, $100-$200, $200-$500, $500+ - Live results count updates as you adjust the range

2. Guest Ratings - Filter by minimum rating: Any, 4.0+, 4.5+, 4.8+, or Perfect 5.0 stars - Helps you find highly-rated properties - Clear selection to remove the filter

3. Property & Layout - Property Types: House, Apartment, Guest Room, Hotel, Hostel, Boutique Hotel, Resort (multi-select) - Single-Unit Types: House, Apartment, Guest Room — book the entire property - Multi-Unit Types: Hotel, Hostel, Boutique Hotel, Resort — book room/bed types within the property - Rooms & Beds: Set minimum requirements for bedrooms (1-10 or “Any”), bathrooms (1-10 or “Any”), and beds (1-10 or “Any”) - Use +/- buttons to adjust minimums - Note for Hotels/Hostels: Filters apply at the room/bed type level (see Search Behavior section below)

4. Photo & Video - Filter listings by media availability - Photos: Minimum photo count (e.g., 5+ photos, 10+ photos) - Videos: Filter for listings with video tours - Helps find well-documented properties with comprehensive visual content

5. Amenities - Filter by property features grouped by category: - Essential (WiFi, Kitchen, Parking, etc.) - Features (Pool, Hot tub, Gym, etc.) - Safety (Smoke detector, First aid, etc.) - Accessibility (Wheelchair accessible, Step-free entry, Accessible parking, Accessible bathroom, Wide doorways, Elevator access, Grab bars, Low bed height) - Entertainment - Family-friendly - Other - Select multiple amenities to narrow your search - Accessibility features are grouped within the Amenities section for easy discovery

How Amenities Work for Hotels/Hostels: - Shared Amenities: Property-wide features (Pool, Gym, Restaurant) available to all guests - Room-Type Amenities: Specific to certain room types (Balcony, Minibar, Private Bathroom) - Combined Amenities: Search filters match room types where shared + room amenities include ALL your selected amenities - Example: If you filter for “WiFi + Balcony”, only room types with both (either shared or room-specific) will match

6. Booking & Cancellation - Booking Options: Filter for Instant Book, Self Check-In, or Superhost properties - Cancellation Policies: Choose your flexibility level: - Flexible (Full refund 24h+ before check-in) - Moderate (Full refund 5 days+ before) - Strict (50% refund 7 days+ before)

7. House Rules & Host Language - House Rules - 3-state filter for property rules (Yes/No/Any): - Pets allowed - Smoking allowed - Events allowed - Quiet hours - Toggle between Yes (required), No (not allowed), or Any (no preference) - Host Language - Filter by languages spoken by your host: - English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese - Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Korean - Arabic, Russian, Dutch - Multi-select to find hosts who speak your preferred language

8. Commute / Distance

Find properties within a specific travel time to your workplace, school, or any destination. Perfect for business travelers, students, conference attendees, or anyone needing proximity to a specific location.

How to Use: 1. Enter your destination (address, landmark, or place name) 2. Tap “Set” to verify the location (green checkmark appears) 3. Choose transport mode: Drive, Transit, Bicycle, or Walk 4. Set maximum travel time (5-120 minutes) 5. Results filter to show only properties within your commute time

Key Features: - Location verification with green checkmark - Four transport modes (Drive, Transit, Bicycle, Walk) - Per-mode persistence (each mode remembers its own time setting) - Session memory (settings saved when you close the app) - Map integration (car icon on map for quick access)

Pro Tips: - Use landmarks for easier entry (“Salesforce Tower” vs full address) - Compare Drive vs Transit modes (transit often faster in cities) - Set realistic times per mode (20 min drive ≠ 20 min walk!) - Combine with price filters for affordable & convenient options - Use map view to see commute-filtered results geographically

See Appendix A for geocoding details and technical information.

Filter Application:

After configuring your filters: - Red badges on section tabs show active filters - Bottom bar displays total active filter count - Live result count updates as you make changes - Tap “Show X results” to apply and return to search - OR tap “Apply” (top right) to save - OR tap “Cancel” to discard changes - The Explore view updates instantly with filtered results - Filter button shows active count badge

4.2.6 AI Search Listings

Location: Smart Search Bar → AI Search button (sparkles icon)

How AI Search Works:

AI Search allows you to describe your perfect stay in natural language instead of using filters. Simply describe what you’re looking for, and AI will interpret your request and apply the appropriate filters.

How to Use AI Search: 1. Tap the search bar at the top of Explore view 2. Tap “AI Search” button (sparkles icon) 3. Describe your ideal stay in natural language 4. Tap “Search with AI” 5. Review the “We understood:” summary showing parsed details (location, dates, guests, property type, amenities, price) 6. Tap “Search with these filters” to see results, or “Modify” to adjust

Example Queries: - “Beachfront villa with pool for 4 people in Hawaii Dec 20-27” - “Pet-friendly apartment near Central Park under $200 next weekend” - “Quiet place with good wifi for remote work Jan 15-30” - “Quiet condo near LA Disneyland for 3 from Sep 20 to 25th” - “Apartment within 30 min drive to Salesforce Tower for 2 people next week”

What AI Can Understand: - Location (cities, neighborhoods, landmarks) - Dates (flexible formats: “next weekend”, “Sep 20-25”, “from Monday to Friday”) - Guest count (“for 4 people”, “3 guests”, “family of 5”) - Property types (“villa”, “apartment”, “condo”, “house”) - Amenities (“pool”, “wifi”, “pet-friendly”, “parking”, “beachfront”) - Price (“under $200”, “cheap”, “luxury”, “budget-friendly”) - Special needs (“quiet”, “good for remote work”, “family-friendly”) - Trip Intent (work, family, romantic, budget, luxury, outdoors, pet-friendly)

Trip Intent Detection (New):

AI Search now automatically detects your trip type and applies intent-specific filters:

Detected Trip Types: - Work/Business Trip → Strong WiFi, dedicated workspace, quiet, late check-in, near transit - Family Trip → Entire place, 2+ bedrooms, crib/high chair, washer/dryer, kitchen, parking - Romantic/Honeymoon → Private entrance, quiet hours, late checkout, hot tub/fireplace (if available) - Group Trip → Large capacity, multiple beds, entertainment, spacious living areas - Budget → Price cap + “Best Value” sort, non-refundable options highlighted - Luxury → Premium amenities, high-end properties, concierge services - Outdoors/Nature → Hiking nearby, scenic views, outdoor spaces - Remote Work → Fast WiFi (50+ Mbps), desk, ergonomic chair, quiet environment - Pet-Friendly → Pets allowed, nearby parks, ground floor when possible

How Trip Intent Works: 1. Type your search with trip context (e.g., “work trip near downtown”) 2. AI detects intent and shows pill badge (e.g., “Work” badge) 3. Relevant filters automatically applied 4. Tap intent pill to remove or switch intent 5. Override anytime - full control maintained

Example Intent-Based Queries: - “Family trip near SeaWorld next month under $250/night, needs kitchen + parking” - “Romantic cabin with fireplace within 2 hours of San Diego, this weekend” - “Quiet place for remote work for 10 days with strong WiFi and desk, March 3-13” - “Budget-friendly apartment for student, close to UCSD, September semester” - “Luxury beachfront villa for group trip, sleeps 12, pool and ocean view”

Benefits: - ✅ Faster than manual filter selection - ✅ More natural way to search - ✅ Intent-aware results match your trip purpose - ✅ Discovers relevant filters you might not think of - ✅ Great for specific, complex requirements - ✅ Transparent - see which intent was detected

4.2.8 Search Behavior for Hotels & Hostels (Multi-Unit Properties)

NEW FEATURE: Hotels, Hostels, Boutique Hotels, and Resorts now support multi-unit search, meaning filters are evaluated at the room/bed type level.

How Multi-Unit Search Works:

When you search for accommodations, the system handles property types differently:

For Hotels/Hostels, search filters work like this:

1. Guest Count Filter - Matches room/bed types that accommodate your party
   • Example: 2 guests → Shows rooms with max_guests ≥ 2
   • For Hostels: Number of beds to book (1 bed = 1 guest typically)
2. Price Filter - Matches room/bed types within your budget
   • Example: $50-$150 → Shows only room types in that range
   • The search card displays the cheapest matching room type price
3. Beds Filter - Matches room/bed types with minimum beds
   • Example: 2+ beds → Shows rooms with 2 or more beds
4. Amenities Filter - Matches room/bed types with combined amenities
   • Combined = Shared property amenities + Room-specific amenities
   • Example: Filter for “WiFi + Balcony” matches rooms where both are available
5. Availability Filter - Checks if at least one unit of that type is available
   • Even if 10 rooms exist, shows only if 1+ is available for your dates

Search Results Display:

For Hotels/Hostels, each listing card shows: - Property name and location (same as before) - “From $X/room” or “From $X/bed” - cheapest matching room/bed type price - Room/Bed type name - e.g., “Deluxe King Room” or “6-Bed Mixed Dorm” - Standard badges - Superhost, Instant Book, Self Check-in

Example Search Scenario:

You search for: - Location: San Diego - Dates: Dec 20-22 - Guests: 2 - Price: $100-$200 - Amenities: WiFi, Pool

Beach Resort Hotel has 3 room types: 1. Standard Room ($120/night) - 2 guests, WiFi 2. Deluxe Suite ($180/night) - 4 guests, WiFi, Balcony 3. Executive Suite ($350/night) - 4 guests, WiFi, Balcony, Jacuzzi

Result: Hotel appears with “From $120/room — Standard Room” because: - Standard Room matches price ($120 within $100-$200 ✅) - Standard Room matches guests (2 ✅) - Standard Room has WiFi ✅ and Pool is shared ✅ - At least 1 Standard Room is available for Dec 20-22 ✅

The Executive Suite doesn’t show because it exceeds the $200 price filter.

Tips for Searching Hotels/Hostels:

• 🏨 Hotels: Search by “room” - each room type has its own price and amenities
• 🛏️ Hostels: Search by “bed” - you’re booking a bed in a shared dorm
• 💰 Price shown is per room/bed per night - not per person
• 📅 Availability is per room type - one type may be full while another has openings
• ✨ Amenities matter - some amenities are room-specific (balcony, minibar)

Sort Options:

Available Sort Modes (8):

1. Recommended (default) - “Best value with quality”
   • Balances price affordability with quality ratings
   • Best overall value for most travelers
2. Best Value - “Great bang for your buck”
   • Optimized price-to-quality ratio
   • Great for budget-conscious travelers seeking quality
3. Price: Low to High - “Lowest price first”
   • Shows cheapest listings first
   • Perfect for budget travelers
4. Price: High to Low - “Highest price first”
   • Shows most expensive listings first
   • Great for luxury seekers
5. Rating - “Highest rating”
   • Sorts by average rating score
   • Shows top-rated properties first
6. Nearest First - “Closest to search location”
   • Sorts by distance from your search location
   • Requires location-based search
7. Top Rated - “Highest rated (5+ reviews)”
   • Shows highly-rated properties with proven track record
   • Requires minimum 5 reviews for credibility
8. Most Popular - “Most booked”
   • Shows properties with highest booking volume
   • Great for finding tried-and-true popular stays

How to Sort: 1. Tap “Sort” button in top navigation (next to listing count) 2. Select your desired sort mode from the list 3. Results re-sort instantly 4. Sort button turns pink to indicate active custom sort

Filter Bookmarks:

What Are Filter Bookmarks?

Filter bookmarks let you save your favorite combinations of filters and sort settings for quick reuse. Perfect for: - Frequent travelers with specific preferences - Users who search the same criteria regularly - Quick access to complex filter combinations

Location: Filter sheet → Bookmarks tab (default view)

What Gets Saved: - ✅ All active filters (price, property type, amenities, etc.) - ✅ Sort preferences (criteria and order) - ❌ Location (not saved - you pick each time) - ❌ Dates (not saved - you pick each time) - ❌ Guest count (not saved - you pick each time)

Why Location, Dates, and Guests Aren’t Saved: These change frequently based on your travel plans. Bookmarks focus on your preferences (what kind of property you like), not your itinerary (where/when you’re traveling).

How to Save a Bookmark: 1. Configure your desired filters (e.g., Pool + WiFi, $100-200, Pet-friendly) 2. Set your preferred sort order (e.g., Price: Low to High) 3. Tap “Bookmarks” tab at bottom of filter sheet 4. Tap “Save Current Filters” button 5. Enter a descriptive name (e.g., “Budget Beach Stays”, “Work-Friendly Condos”) 6. Tap “Save”

How to Use a Bookmark: 1. Tap bookmark icon in top nav bar (OR filter button → Bookmarks tab) 2. Select a bookmark from your list 3. Filters and sort are instantly applied 4. Add your location/dates/guests as usual 5. Tap “Show X results”

How to Edit Bookmarks: 1. Open filter sheet → Bookmarks tab 2. Swipe left on any bookmark 3. Tap “Edit” to rename or “Delete” to remove

Benefits: - ⚡ Save 30+ seconds on complex filter setups - 🎯 Consistent search criteria every time - 🔄 Easily switch between different search styles - 💡 Remember what filters worked well before

Example Bookmarks: - “Family Beach Trips” - Pool, Beach, 3+ bedrooms, $200-400 - “Business Travel” - WiFi, Workspace, Quiet, Near downtown - “Budget Weekends” - Under $100, Instant book, Free parking - “Pet-Friendly Cabins” - Pets allowed, Mountain view, Fireplace

4.2.7 Nearby Search

What Is Nearby Search?

Find accommodations near your current GPS location with one tap. Perfect for: - Last-minute bookings when traveling - Discovering stays near your current location - Emergency accommodation needs - Exploring options in unfamiliar areas

Location: Explore view → Top nav bar → Location icon button

How It Works: 1. App requests your current GPS coordinates 2. Searches within 5-mile radius 3. Automatically switches to map view 4. Shows listings closest to you first 5. Sort defaults to “Distance: Nearest first”

How to Use Nearby Search:

First Time Use: 1. Tap location icon in top nav bar 2. Grant location permission when prompted (“Allow While Using App” or “Allow Once”) 3. Wait for GPS coordinates (2-10 seconds) 4. Map view opens automatically showing listings within 5 miles 5. Results sorted by distance (nearest first)

Subsequent Use: 1. Tap location icon (top nav bar) 2. GPS location retrieved quickly (1-2 seconds) 3. Map updates to your current position 4. Nearby listings load with distance badges

Search Radius: - Default: 5 miles (8 km) - Adjustable via filters (Future feature)

What Happens: 1. ✅ GPS location retrieved 2. ✅ Map view activated 3. ✅ Search center set to your coordinates 4. ✅ Results filtered to 5-mile radius 5. ✅ Sorted by distance 6. ❌ Your filters/bookmarks still apply (if any active)

Privacy: - Location accessed only when you tap the button - Not stored or tracked - Not shared with hosts until you book - You control permission in iOS Settings

Troubleshooting: - “Location services disabled”: Enable in iOS Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Peapod - “Slow to load”: First launch may take 10 seconds for GPS lock. Subsequent uses faster. - “No results”: Increase search radius or clear filters - “Wrong location”: Ensure GPS (not WiFi positioning) is enabled

Benefits: - 🎯 Instant local accommodation discovery - 📍 Perfect for road trips and spontaneous travel - ⚡ One-tap search (no typing required) - 🗺️ Visual map-based browsing

4.3 Book a Stay

4.3.1 Standard Booking Flow

Prerequisites: - Account created and logged in - Payment method added (can add during booking) - Dates selected - Guest count confirmed

Currency Note (v1): In the current version, you can only book listings priced in your home currency: - USD users: Can book USD-priced listings (typically US properties) - CNY users: Can book CNY-priced listings (typically China properties) - International bookings (cross-currency) will be supported in a future release

Booking Steps:

Step 1: Review Booking Details - Confirm check-in and check-out dates - Confirm guest count (adults and children tracked separately) - Review total nights - See price preview - Tap “Book Now” (instant book) or “Request to Book”

Guest Count Details: Adults and children are tracked separately to help hosts prepare appropriate amenities (cribs, high chairs, etc.). Property capacity limits apply to total guests.

Step 2: Price Breakdown Review the complete cost breakdown: - Base price (nightly rate × nights) - Cleaning fee (if applicable) - Service fee (12% platform fee) - Taxes (if applicable) - Total price

Tap “Price details” to expand and see each itemized cost.

Step 3: Payment Method - Add payment method if none saved (Apple Pay or Credit/Debit Card) - Use saved payment method if available - Apple Pay recommended for fastest, most secure checkout

Apple Pay Benefits: - One-tap payment with Face ID/Touch ID - Most secure payment method - No need to manually enter card details - Fastest checkout experience

Step 4: Confirm Booking 1. Review all details one final time 2. Read Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policy 3. Tap “Confirm and Pay” 4. Authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID (Apple Pay) or complete card payment 5. Wait for confirmation (2-5 seconds)

Step 5: Booking Confirmed

What You Receive: - “Booking Confirmed” message in app - Booking reference number - Host contact information - “View Booking” and “Message Host” buttons - Email confirmation with booking details

4.3.2 Instant Booking

What is Instant Book?

Listings with “Instant Book” enabled can be booked immediately without waiting for host approval. Payment is authorized and the booking is confirmed on the spot.

How to Identify Instant Book: - Look for the “⚡ Instant Book” badge on listing cards - Listing detail page shows “Book Now” button (not “Request to Book”) - Follow standard booking steps (payment processes immediately) - Booking confirmed instantly (no host approval needed)

Benefits for Guests: - ✅ Immediate confirmation - ✅ No waiting for host response - ✅ Secure your dates instantly - ✅ Better for last-minute bookings

4.3.3 Request to Book (Not Instant Book)

How It Works: 1. Identify listings without the instant book badge 2. Listing detail page shows “Request to Book” button 3. Follow standard booking steps 4. Write a message to the host (optional but recommended) 5. Tap “Send Request” 6. Wait for host approval (up to 24 hours)

Message to Host Tips: - Introduce yourself - Explain purpose of stay - Mention any special requests - Be polite and clear

What Happens Next: - Host has 24 hours to respond - You’ll receive notification when host responds - If approved: - Payment is processed automatically - Booking is confirmed - If declined: - No charge is made - Host may provide reason - You can search for alternative properties

4.3.4 Payment Holds & Charges

How Payment Works: 1. Authorization Hold - Full amount held on your card when booking confirmed 2. Capture - Charge is finalized 24 hours before check-in 3. Host Payout - Host receives payment 24 hours after check-in

Security Deposit: - Some properties require security deposit - Held separately on your card - Released 3-5 days after checkout (if no damage)

4.3.5 Booking Confirmation

After Successful Booking:

What You Receive: - 📧 Email Confirmation - Booking details, reference number (can be configured in preference page) - 📱 In-App Notification - Booking confirmed - 💬 Automatic Message Thread - Opens with host

Booking Details Include: - Property name and address - Check-in/check-out dates and times - Total price paid - Guest count - Host contact information - Booking reference number - Directions to property - WiFi password (if provided) - Entry instructions

4.3.6 Booking Hotels & Hostels (Room/Bed Selection)

NEW FEATURE (Slice V): Hotels, Hostels, Boutique Hotels, and Resorts now support multi-unit booking, allowing you to choose specific room or bed types and book multiple units in a single reservation.

How Multi-Unit Properties Differ:

Booking Flow for Hotels/Hostels:

Step 1: View Listing Detail

When viewing a Hotel or Hostel listing, you’ll see new sections:

A. Property Overview (same as before) - Photos, location, host info, shared amenities

B. Room Types / Bed Types Section (NEW) - Scrollable cards showing each available room/bed type - Each card displays: - Type name (e.g., “Deluxe Suite”, “4-Bed Mixed Dorm”) - Price per night per room/bed - Beds and bed type (e.g., “1 King Bed” or “1 Bunk Bed”) - Max guests per unit - Room-specific amenities (Balcony, Minibar, Private Bath, etc.) - Availability indicator for your dates

Step 2: Select a Room/Bed Type

1. Tap a room/bed type card to view full details
2. See detailed description, all amenities, and photos
3. Review room-specific house rules (if any)
4. Tap “Select This Room” or “Select This Bed”

Step 3: Choose Quantity

For Groups/Families: - Use the quantity picker to book multiple rooms/beds - Example: Book 2 Deluxe Rooms for a family reunion - Example: Book 4 beds in a dorm for a group trip

Quantity Picker Shows: - Available units for your dates (e.g., “5 of 10 rooms available”) - Total price updates as you change quantity - Max guests = units_booked × max_guests_per_unit

Step 4: Review & Book

Booking Summary Shows: - Room/Bed Type: “Deluxe King Room” - Quantity: “2 Rooms” - Dates: Dec 20-23 (3 nights) - Price Calculation: Room Rate: $150/night × 3 nights × 2 rooms = $900 Cleaning Fee: $30 × 2 rooms = $60 Service Fee: 12% = $115.20 ───────────────────────────────────────────────── Total: $1,075.20 - Max Guests: 4 (2 per room × 2 rooms)

Step 5: Payment & Confirmation

Proceed with standard payment flow (Section 4.3.1). After booking: - Confirmation shows: Room type name + quantity booked - Room assignment: Specific rooms (e.g., “Room 501”) may be assigned by host - Check-in instructions: Same as other bookings

Availability Indicators:

Viewing Your Hotel/Hostel Booking:

In Trips → Upcoming, your booking card shows: - Property name and thumbnail - Room/Bed type name (e.g., “Deluxe King Room”) - Units booked (e.g., “2 Rooms” or “3 Beds”) - Check-in/check-out dates - Total price paid

Booking Details Page Shows: - Full room type description - Room-specific amenities - Assigned room numbers (if provided by host) - Standard booking actions (Message Host, Cancel, Get Directions)

Important Notes:

• 🏨 Hotels/Boutique Hotels: Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms
• 🛏️ Hostels: Shared dorms at budget prices; book by the bed
• 🏝️ Resorts: Premium accommodations with resort amenities
• 📅 Real-time availability: Updates as others book
• 👥 Guest limit: units_booked × max_guests_per_unit
• 🔢 Room assignment: Specific rooms assigned by host (automatic or manual)
• 💰 Pricing: Per room/bed per night (not per person)

Why Choose Hotels/Hostels on Peapod?

• Better Rates - Direct booking often cheaper than OTAs
• Loyalty Points - Earn rewards on every stay (same as vacation rentals)
• Host Communication - Direct messaging with property staff
• Transparent Pricing - No hidden fees, same checkout flow
• Room-Level Amenities - See exactly what each room type offers
• Flexible Booking - Book multiple rooms/beds in one transaction

4.4 Manage Your Bookings

4.4.1 View All Bookings

Location: Main tab → “Trips” (suitcase icon)

How to View Bookings: 1. Tap “Trips” tab in bottom navigation 2. Select a category: Upcoming, Past, or Cancelled 3. Scroll to browse all bookings in that category

Booking Categories: - Upcoming - Future reservations - Past - Completed stays - Cancelled - Cancelled bookings

Each Booking Card Shows: - Property photo - Property name - Dates - Location - Booking status - Quick actions (Message Host, View Details, Cancel)

4.4.2 View Booking Details

Tap any booking card from Trips to open the detailed booking page.

Booking Detail Page: - Property Information - Photo, name, address - Dates - Check-in and check-out with times - Guests - Number of guests - Status - Confirmed, Pending, Checked In, Completed, Cancelled - Payment Status - Paid, Pending, Refunded - Price Breakdown - All charges itemized - Host Contact - Name, photo, “Message Host” button

Available Actions: - Get Directions (opens Maps app) - Message Host - Cancel Booking (if eligible) - Report Issue - Leave Review (after stay)

4.4.3 Cancel a Booking

Eligibility: - Only upcoming bookings can be cancelled - Refund depends on cancellation policy and time until check-in - Real-time refund preview before confirmation

Cancellation Policies: 1. Flexible - Full refund if cancelled 24+ hours before check-in - Base price: 100% refund (>24h), 50% refund (<24h) - Service fee: Refundable

2. Moderate - Full refund if cancelled 5+ days before check-in
   • Base price: 100% refund (>5 days), 50% refund (2-5 days), 0% (<2 days)
   • Service fee: Refundable
3. Strict - Full refund if cancelled 14+ days before check-in
   • Base price: 100% refund (>14 days), 50% refund (7-14 days), 0% (<7 days)
   • Service fee: Non-refundable
4. Non-refundable - No refunds (10% discount)
   • Base price: 0% refund at any time
   • Lowest price option, no flexibility

Important: What’s Always Refunded - ✅ Cleaning fee: 100% refunded (no cleaning needed if you don’t stay) - ✅ Taxes: 100% refunded (no tax applies if you don’t stay) - The cancellation policy percentage only applies to the base price (accommodation)

Automatic Refund Calculation: - Real-time preview showing exact refund amount before confirming - Detailed breakdown of base price, cleaning fee, service fee, and tax refunds - Policy-based calculation automatically applies correct rules - Time-aware calculation considers hours/days until check-in

How to Cancel: 1. Go to Trips → Select upcoming booking 2. Scroll to bottom and tap “Cancel Booking” button (red) 3. Review the refund preview alert showing: - Current cancellation policy - Time remaining until check-in - Calculated refund amount - Detailed breakdown (base price + fees + taxes) 4. Tap “Confirm Cancellation” to proceed or “Go Back” to cancel 5. Wait for processing (2-3 seconds) 6. Review cancellation confirmation with refund summary

After Cancellation: - Booking status changes to “Cancelled” - Refund processed automatically to original payment method (3-5 business days) - Refund amount matches preview (no surprises) - Host is notified automatically - Cancellation email sent to both guest and host - Booking moves to “Cancelled” tab

Refund Examples:

Example 1: Flexible Policy (cancelled 48h before) - Booking: $500 base + $50 cleaning + $60 service fee + $40 tax = $650 total - Base price refund: 100% = $500 ✅ - Cleaning fee refund: 100% = $50 ✅ (always refunded) - Taxes refund: 100% = $40 ✅ (always refunded) - Service fee refund: 100% = $60 ✅ (Flexible allows) - Total refund: $650 (full refund)

Example 2: Moderate Policy (cancelled 3 days before) - Booking: $500 base + $50 cleaning + $60 service fee + $40 tax = $650 total - Base price refund: 50% = $250 (partial per policy) - Cleaning fee refund: 100% = $50 ✅ (always refunded) - Taxes refund: 100% = $40 ✅ (always refunded) - Service fee refund: 100% = $60 ✅ (Moderate allows) - Total refund: $400 (not $325 - cleaning & taxes always refunded!)

Example 3: Strict Policy (cancelled 5 days before = no base refund) - Booking: $500 base + $50 cleaning + $60 service fee + $40 tax = $650 total - Base price refund: 0% = $0 (within 7-day window) - Cleaning fee refund: 100% = $50 ✅ (always refunded) - Taxes refund: 100% = $40 ✅ (always refunded) - Service fee refund: 0% = $0 (Strict = non-refundable) - Total refund: $90 (cleaning + taxes only)

Example 4: Non-refundable - Booking: $450 base (10% discount) + $50 cleaning + $54 service fee + $36 tax = $590 total - Cancelled: Any time - Total refund: $86 (cleaning $50 + taxes $36 only)

4.4.4 Modify Booking Dates

✅ Available: Fully automated date modifications with automatic approval, payment processing, and instant confirmation.

How It Works:

Peapod’s smart modification system follows your booking’s cancellation policy to automatically approve or require host approval:

Automatic Approval (No Host Approval Needed): - Flexible Policy: Modifications ≥24 hours before check-in are auto-approved - Moderate Policy: Modifications ≥5 days before check-in are auto-approved - Strict Policy: Modifications ≥7 days before check-in are auto-approved

Requires Host Approval: - Modifications outside the policy period above must be approved by the host

How to Modify Your Booking:

1. Open Your Booking
   • Go to Trips → Upcoming → Select booking
   • Tap “Modify Dates” button
2. Select New Dates
   • Choose new check-in and check-out dates
   • System calculates price difference automatically
   • See preview: refund amount or additional charge
3. Review Price Changes
   • Shortened Stay → Partial refund to your payment method
   • Extended Stay → Additional charge to your saved card
   • Same Price → No payment adjustment needed
4. Confirm Modification
   • Tap “Confirm Changes”
   • Payment processes automatically (if needed)
   • Success: Booking updated instantly + confirmation notifications sent
   • Payment Failed: Modification blocked, original booking unchanged

What Happens Next:

If Auto-Approved: - ✅ Booking updated with new dates immediately - ✅ Payment/refund processed automatically via Stripe - ✅ You receive confirmation notification with updated itinerary - ✅ Host receives notification about the change - ✅ Email confirmation sent to both parties

If Requires Host Approval: - ⏳ Request sent to host - ⏳ Host has 24 hours to approve/decline - ⏳ You receive notification when host responds - ✅ If approved: Payment processes and booking updates - ❌ If declined: No charge, original dates remain

Payment Processing:

• Refunds (shortened stay) process within 3-5 business days
• Additional charges (extended stay) use your saved payment method
• Payment failures block the modification - your original booking remains unchanged
• All payment details shown before you confirm

Important Notes:

• ⚠️ Modifications must be made BEFORE check-in
• ⚠️ Payment method must be valid for extended stays
• ⚠️ Both you and host receive notifications on success/failure
• ⚠️ If payment fails, modification is blocked and original booking is preserved
• ✅ No hidden fees - price difference shown upfront
• ✅ Cancellation policy rules apply (same as cancellation refunds)

Example Scenarios:

Example 1: Shorten Stay (Refund) - Original: Dec 10-15 (5 nights × $100 = $500) - New: Dec 10-13 (3 nights × $100 = $300) - Result: $200 refund to your payment method (3-5 business days)

Example 2: Extend Stay (Additional Charge) - Original: Dec 10-13 (3 nights × $100 = $300) - New: Dec 10-17 (7 nights × $100 = $700) - Result: $400 additional charge to your saved card (instant)

Example 3: Date Shift (Same Price) - Original: Dec 10-15 (5 nights × $100 = $500) - New: Dec 12-17 (5 nights × $100 = $500) - Result: No payment needed, dates updated instantly

Troubleshooting:

• “Payment method required” - Add/update payment method in account settings
• “Card declined” - Update payment method and try again
• “Modification blocked” - Payment failed, original booking unchanged
• “Pending host approval” - Outside policy period, wait for host response

4.5 Message Your Host

4.5.1 Access Messages

Location: Main tab → “Inbox” (chat bubble icon)

How to Access: 1. Tap “Inbox” tab in bottom navigation 2. View list of all conversations (most recent first) 3. Red unread badge appears on tab if you have new messages 4. Tap any conversation to open

Inbox View Shows: - Host profile photo - Property name - Last message preview - Timestamp (e.g., “2h ago”) - Unread count (red badge)

4.5.2 Start a Conversation

Before Booking: 1. From listing detail page, scroll to host section or tap host avatar 2. Tap “Contact Host” button 3. Type your message 4. Tap “Send” (paper airplane icon)

After Booking: - Conversation is automatically created when you book - Access from Inbox or Booking Details - Tap “Message Host” button

4.5.3 Send Messages

How to Send: 1. Tap message input field at bottom 2. Type your message 3. Tap send button (paper airplane icon) 4. Message appears in thread with “Delivered” status 5. Status updates to “Read” when host reads it

Message Features: - Real-time delivery - Read receipts - Typing indicators (“Host is typing…”) - Timestamps - Message threading

Message Etiquette: - Be polite and professional - Ask clear, specific questions - Provide relevant details about your stay - Respond promptly to host inquiries

4.5.4 Common Questions to Ask Hosts

Before Booking: - Early check-in or late checkout availability? - Parking instructions? - Public transport access? - Quiet hours or neighborhood rules? - Pet policy specifics? - Suitable for children/elderly?

Before Check-In: - Exact entry instructions? - WiFi password? - Thermostat usage? - Trash/recycling procedures? - Where to park?

During Stay: - Report any issues immediately - Ask questions about appliances - Request local recommendations - Notify of any damage

4.6 During Your Stay

4.6.1 Check-In

Before You Arrive: 1. Go to Trips → Upcoming booking 2. Tap booking to view details 3. Read the “Check-In Instructions” section carefully 4. Note the property address and host contact info 5. Tap “Get Directions” to navigate with Maps

Check-In Process: - Standard Check-In Time: 3:00 PM (varies by property) - Follow host’s specific instructions: - Keypad code - Key pickup location - Meet host in person - Lockbox code - Smart lock app

If You Can’t Access Property: 1. Message host immediately via Inbox 2. If no response within 15 minutes, call host (phone number in booking details) 3. If still unable to access, tap “Report Issue” in booking or contact Peapod support

4.6.2 During Your Stay

House Rules Reminder: - Follow all house rules posted - Respect check-out time - Maintain cleanliness - Report any damage immediately - No unauthorized guests - Respect neighbors - No smoking (unless allowed) - No parties (unless allowed)

Need Assistance? - First: Message your host - If host unavailable: Contact Peapod support - Emergency: Contact local emergency services (911)

Maintenance Issues: 1. Notice an issue (e.g., WiFi down, AC broken) 2. Message host immediately via Inbox 3. Document issue with photos (tap camera icon in message) 4. Host should respond within 2 hours 5. If unresolved, tap “Report Issue” in booking 6. You may be eligible for a partial refund if the issue remains unresolved

4.6.3 Check-Out

Standard Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM (varies by property)

Check-Out Checklist:

On the morning of checkout: - ✅ Gather all belongings (check closets, drawers, bathrooms) - ✅ Dispose of trash (follow host instructions) - ✅ Wash dishes or load dishwasher - ✅ Strip beds (if requested by host) - ✅ Turn off lights, thermostat, appliances - ✅ Lock all doors and windows - ✅ Return keys (if applicable) - ✅ Leave by checkout time

Late Check-Out: - Must be arranged with host in advance - Message host to request - May incur additional fee - Not guaranteed

4.7 Reviews & Ratings

4.7.1 Why Reviews Matter

• Help future guests make informed decisions
• Provide feedback to hosts
• Build trust in the Peapod community
• Improve platform quality
• Influence search ranking

4.7.2 When to Leave a Review

Review Window: - Opens immediately after check-out - Closes 14 days after check-out - Reviews published after both guest and host submit (or after 14 days)

Review Prompt:

After checkout, you’ll receive: - In-app notification: “How was your stay?” - Email reminder (if not completed after 3 days)

How to Access Review: - Tap the notification to go directly to the review page - OR go to Trips → Past → Select booking → “Leave Review”

4.7.3 How to Write a Review

Step 1: Access Review Page - Go to Trips → Past bookings → Select completed booking - Tap “Leave Review” button

Step 2: Rate the Property (1-5 stars) Rate each category by tapping stars: - Overall rating - Cleanliness - Accuracy (matches listing description) - Communication (host responsiveness) - Location - Value for money

Step 3: Write Review Text (Optional but Encouraged) - Type your experience (500 characters max) - Share highlights and mention any issues - Character count displayed as you type

Step 4: Add Photos (Optional, up to 5) 1. Tap “Add Photos” button 2. Choose from photo library 3. Photos appear as thumbnails 4. Tap X to remove unwanted photos 5. Photos upload when you submit the review

Photo Guidelines: - ✅ Show property accurately (rooms, amenities, views) - ✅ Highlight positive or negative aspects - ✅ Good lighting and focus - ✅ Respectful of host privacy - ❌ Don’t include people without permission - ❌ Don’t include personal information - ❌ Maximum 5 photos per review - ❌ File size automatically compressed (max 5MB per photo)

Photo Upload Behavior: - Photos compressed automatically before upload - Upload happens when you submit the review - If photos fail to upload, you’ll see a warning but review text is still saved - You can add photos later if upload fails

Step 5: Submit 1. Review your ratings and text 2. Tap “Submit Review” button 3. Confirmation appears 4. Review is private until both guest and host submit (or 14 days pass)

Review Guidelines: - ✅ Be honest and constructive - ✅ Focus on your experience - ✅ Mention specific details (cleanliness, accuracy, location) - ✅ Help future guests decide - ❌ Don’t include personal attacks - ❌ Don’t share personal contact info - ❌ Don’t mention price (price changes over time) - ❌ Don’t threaten host with bad review

After Submission: - Review is private until both sides review (or 14 days pass) - Cannot be edited once published - Host can respond publicly to your review - Review appears on listing page - Contributes to overall listing rating

4.8 Loyalty Program (Rewards)

4.8.1 How Peapod Rewards Work

Earn Points: - Booking Completed - Points based on eligible amount (base price + cleaning fee) - Leave Review - 50 bonus points - Referrals - Points when friends book (coming soon) - Special Promotions - Limited-time bonus points

Points Value: - 1 point = 0.01 in your home currency ($0.01 USD or ¥0.01 CNY) - Points are valued in YOUR home currency (set during account creation) - Points never expire - Can be combined with other discounts

What is “Eligible Amount”? - Eligible amount = Base price + Cleaning fee - Excludes: service fees and taxes - This is the base for both earning and redeeming points

Earning Formula: - Points earned = Eligible amount × Tier earning rate - Example (Silver tier, 3%): $100 base + $20 cleaning = $120 eligible → 360 points ($3.60 value) - Review bonus = +50 points - Total = 410 points ($4.10 value)

Currency & Points: - Your points are always valued in your home currency - USD users: 1 point = $0.01 - CNY users: 1 point = ¥0.01 - Points balance shown with approximate value (e.g., “9,126 points ≈ $91.26”)

4.8.2 View Your Rewards

Location: Main tab → “Rewards” (star icon)

How to View: 1. Tap “Rewards” tab in bottom navigation 2. View rewards dashboard showing: - Current points balance - Current tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) - Progress to next tier - Earning history - Redemption history 3. Tap “Redeem Points” to use your points

4.8.3 Guest Loyalty Tiers

Tier Levels (Based on Annual Spending):

Example Earnings by Tier:

For a $200 booking (base $180 + cleaning $20 = $200 eligible): - Silver (3%): 600 points = $6.00 value - Gold (4%): 800 points = $8.00 value - Platinum (5%): 1,000 points = $10.00 value - Diamond (6%): 1,200 points = $12.00 value

Note: Tiers are based on ANNUAL SPENDING only, not number of bookings. Your spending resets each year. Spending is tracked in your home currency.

Tier Progress:

To view your tier progress: - Current tier badge displayed on dashboard - Progress bar shows spending toward next tier - Tap “View Requirements” to see detailed tier benefits and spending thresholds - Annual spending total tracked automatically

4.8.4 Redeem Points

Redemption Options: - Booking Discount - Apply points to reduce your booking cost

How to Redeem: 1. During checkout, toggle “Use Points” to ON 2. Use slider to select how many points to redeem 3. See real-time discount preview in price breakdown 4. Complete booking - points deducted from your balance 5. Discount appears in final receipt

Redemption Rules: - Maximum redemption: 20% of eligible amount (base price + cleaning fee) - Minimum redemption: 100 points - 1 point = 0.01 in your home currency (1 cent discount) - Points deducted immediately upon booking - If booking cancelled, points refunded - Points never expire - Cannot cash out (use for booking discounts only)

Redemption Example:

Booking: $200 base + $50 cleaning = $250 eligible amount - Max redemption: 20% × $250 = $50 = 5,000 points - Your balance: 3,000 points - You can redeem: Up to 3,000 points = $30 discount

After redemption: - Total: $250 - $30 discount = $220 + fees + taxes

4.9 Referral System

Location: Rewards tab → Referral (Guest users only)

4.9.1 How Guest Referrals Work

Simple & Straightforward: Invite friends to join Peapod. Earn 2% commission on their bookings for 12 months. No signup bonuses, no holding periods - just clean, immediate earnings!

Getting Started: 1. Go to Rewards tab → Referral sub-tab 2. Your unique referral code is displayed (e.g., “JOHN1234”) 3. Tap “Copy” to copy code OR “Share” to share invite link 4. Share via iMessage, WhatsApp, Email, or any app

How You Earn: 1. Friend signs up with your referral code 2. Friend books a stay 3. You earn 2% of booking amount immediately (as points) 4. Commission continues for 12 months from signup date 5. No holding period - points available right away!

Earnings Example: - Friend books $100 stay → You earn 200 points ($2.00) - Friend books $500 stay → You earn 1,000 points ($10.00) - Friend books $1,000 stay → You earn 2,000 points ($20.00) - Total after 3 bookings: 3,200 points ($32.00)

Points Conversion: - 100 points = $1.00 USD - Use points to redeem on future bookings

UI Elements (Referral Tab): - Your Referral Code - Large, monospaced display - Copy Button - One-tap copy to clipboard - Share Button - Opens iOS share sheet - Total Referral Earnings - Total points earned - Stats Cards: - Total Referrals (friends who signed up) - Active Referrals (still within 12 months) - Total Bookings (all bookings from referrals) - Last 12 Months (recent earnings) - Referral History - Transaction list with: - Referee name - Booking amount - Points earned - Date - Commission percentage

4.9.2 Sharing Your Referral Code

Method 1: Copy & Paste 1. Tap “Copy” button 2. Paste code anywhere (text, email, etc.) 3. Friend enters code during signup

Method 2: Share Link (Recommended) 1. Tap “Share” button 2. iOS share sheet appears 3. Choose app (iMessage, WhatsApp, Email, etc.) 4. Message auto-fills with: ``` Hey! I’m using Peapod to find amazing places to stay. Join me with my referral code JOHN1234 and start exploring!

https://peapod.com/join?ref=JOHN1234 ``` 5. Send to friends!

Admin Can Customize Share Message: - Admins can edit the share message template - Available in Admin → Config → Referral → Share Message - Use placeholders: {CODE}, {NAME}, {LINK}

4.9.3 Tracking Your Referral Earnings

Referral Dashboard (Rewards → Referral):

Top Section - Summary: - Total Referral Earnings: 0 pts - Approximate value in USD

Referral Code Card: - Your code (JOHN1234) - Copy & Share buttons

Stats Grid (4 Cards): 1. Total Referrals - How many friends signed up 2. Active Referrals - Still within 12-month window 3. Total Bookings - All bookings from referrals 4. Last 12 Months - Recent earnings (points)

Referral History: - List of all commission transactions - Shows: Friend name, booking amount, points earned, date - Pull to refresh for latest data

Empty State: - “No referrals yet” - “Share your referral code to earn rewards!”

4.9.4 Referral Rules & Limitations

Eligibility: - ✅ Guest users only (travelers) - ❌ Hosts, Admins, Curators cannot refer

Duration: - 12 months from friend’s signup date - Configurable by admin (default: 12 months)

Commission Rate: - 2% of referee’s booking amounts - Configurable by admin (default: 2%)

Signup Flow: - Optional referral code field during guest signup - Only visible when “Guest” account type selected - Code auto-applied when using share link

Important Notes: - Self-referrals not allowed - Code must be entered during signup (can’t add later) - Commission awarded when booking status = “completed” - No holding period - immediate availability - Must wait 90 days after earning (anti-fraud) - Cashout via Stripe (bank transfer or debit card) - Points never expire

How to Cash Out: 1. Go to Rewards → “Referrals” 2. Check “Available to cash out” balance 3. Tap “Cash Out” 4. Enter amount (minimum 2,500 points) 5. Select payout method (bank account or debit card) 6. Confirm details and tap “Request Payout” 7. Funds transferred in 3-5 business days

Cashout Important Notes: - Points earned from referrals can be used only for booking discounts - Cash withdrawal is not available in CN Release 1.0 - All loyalty and referral points can only be redeemed as booking discounts - 90-day holding period prevents fraud and chargebacks - Points never expire, even locked ones

4.10 Profile & Settings

For common profile and account features, see the Common Features section in the main manual:

• Profile Management - View and edit your profile, profile tabs
• Messaging System - How to send and receive messages
• Notification Settings - Configure alerts and notifications
• Account Settings - Email, password, 2FA, security
• Region & Language - Language, currency, time zone
• Privacy Settings - Visibility, data download, account deletion
• Help & Support - Get help, contact support, report problems
• Sign Out - How to sign out

Guest-Specific Profile Features:

Profile Stats: - Trips count (completed bookings) - Reviews received count - Years as member

Stats are displayed below your name and update in real-time.

Identity Verification:

Guests can verify their identity to build trust with hosts:

1. From your profile, tap “Verify” button (shield icon)
2. Choose verification type:
   • Email (verify via link)
   • Phone (SMS code) - Primary verification method for CN Release 1.0
   • Government ID (Future feature – not available in Release 1.0)
   • Student status (for discounts)
3. Follow the verification steps
4. Receive confirmation
5. “Phone Verified” badge appears on your profile

CN Release 1.0 Identity Verification:

For CN Release 1.0, identity verification uses phone/SMS verification only: - US Users: SMS verification via Twilio to US mobile numbers - China Users: SMS verification via Twilio to Chinese mobile numbers (+86) - After verification: “Phone Verified” badge displayed on your profile

Note: Full document ID verification (WeChat ID, government ID upload) is planned for a future release and is not available in CN Release 1.0.

Verification Benefits: - Builds trust with hosts - Phone Verified badge increases booking approval rate - Student verification unlocks discounts - Verified users preferred by hosts

Viewing Other Users’ Profiles:

You can view public profiles of hosts, reviewers, and other users:

How to Access: - Tap host name on listing - Tap user avatar in messages - Tap reviewer name in reviews

What You Can See (Public View): - Avatar and name - User type - Member since - Reviews received - About section (bio, languages) - Listings (if host)

What You Cannot See: - Email address - Phone number - Payment methods - Private settings

Appendices

For detailed reference material, see the separate appendix document:

→ Guest Manual Appendix

Contains: - Appendix A: Commute Filter Technical Details - Appendix B: Booking Modification Reference - Appendix C: AI-Powered Features - Appendix D: Points & Rewards Details

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