Terms of Service

Last updated: May 3, 2026

1. Eligibility

To apply to become a HIPPO, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a Canadian resident outside the province of Quebec
• Pass our criminal record check and credit inquiry to our satisfaction
• (For Ontario residents) Obtain TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) certification before selling travel
• Comply with our HIPPO Code of Conduct

We reserve the right to decline an application or terminate membership for any lawful reason, including failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Independent contractor relationship

HIPPOs are independent contractors, not employees, partners, agents (other than as expressly authorized to sell travel), or franchisees of GOwithHIPPO. Specifically:

• You set your own hours, location, and pace of work
• You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance (other than as described below), and business expenses
• You are not entitled to employee benefits, including but not limited to vacation pay, sick leave, or Employment Insurance
• GOwithHIPPO does not guarantee any minimum income, hours, or bookings
• You may not bind GOwithHIPPO to any obligation outside the scope expressly authorized by us in writing

3. Fees

3.1 Startup fee

A one-time non-refundable startup fee of $198 CAD plus applicable taxes is payable upon submission of your application. The fee covers the cost of our background checks, your initial setup, and your first month of access fees.

3.2 Monthly access fees

Active HIPPOs are charged a monthly access fee of $98 CAD plus applicable taxes(“Hippo Access Fees” or “HAFs”), beginning the second month after your application is fully approved and you have received access to the platform tools. HAFs are charged on a recurring basis until you provide written notice of cancellation.

3.3 Refund policy

The startup fee is non-refundable once paid, given that the background checks and initial setup are commenced upon receipt. Monthly access fees are not refunded for partial months. We will not process new HAFs charges after we receive your written cancellation notice.

4. Commissions

When commissions are received from suppliers for travel you book on behalf of clients:

• Standard split: 70% of the supplier-paid commission to you, 30% to GOwithHIPPO
• Personal travel: 100% of the commission to you when booked through one of our designated preferred suppliers, for you or members of your immediate household
• Payout schedule: Your share is paid on the 15th of the month following our receipt of the commission from the supplier
• Conditions of payout: Trips must be entered in the agency CRM within 48 hours of booking, and your HAFs must be current

Commissions are subject to chargeback or clawback if a client cancels or disputes the booking. We may withhold or recover commissions related to such disputes.

5. Background checks

You consent to our conducting a Canadian criminal record check and a soft credit inquiry as part of your application. Results are reviewed confidentially. We may decline applications based on results that, in our reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with the responsibilities of a travel agent. Soft credit inquiries do not affect your credit score.

6. Code of Conduct

As a HIPPO, you agree to:

• Treat clients, suppliers, fellow HIPPOs, and HIPPOhq staff with honesty and respect
• Comply with all applicable laws and travel-industry regulations, including TICO requirements (Ontario) and any other provincial requirements that apply
• Protect client information and use it only for legitimate booking-related purposes
• Represent GOwithHIPPO accurately and not make claims we cannot substantiate
• Not engage in fraudulent or deceptive practices in connection with travel sales

7. Intellectual property

The Platform, our courses (HIPPOcampus), our brand, and all associated content are the property of GOwithHIPPO Travel or our licensors. You receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Platform and access training materials for the purpose of operating your travel business as a HIPPO. You may not copy, redistribute, or sublicense our materials.

8. Termination

You may cancel your HIPPO membership at any time by providing written notice to our Operations Team at careers@gowithhippo.com. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current monthly billing period.

We may suspend or terminate your membership immediately upon written notice if you breach these Terms, fail to pay HAFs, fail your background check, or engage in conduct that, in our reasonable judgment, harms or risks harming GOwithHIPPO, our agents, our clients, or our suppliers. Upon termination, your access to the Platform and our supplier networks ends. Pending commissions on previously booked travel will be paid in accordance with Section 4, subject to your HAFs being current at the time of payout.

9. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, GOwithHIPPO and its directors, officers, employees, and contractors are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform or your membership, including but not limited to lost profits, lost commissions, or lost business opportunities. Our total cumulative liability to you for any claim arising under these Terms is limited to the amount of fees you have paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GOwithHIPPO Travel from any claim, loss, or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your breach of these Terms, your violation of any law or regulation, or your interactions with clients, suppliers, or third parties in connection with your travel business.

11. Modifications

We may update these Terms from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be emailed to active HIPPOs at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Any dispute arising out of these Terms will be resolved in the courts of Alberta, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

13. Contact

• Email: careers@gowithhippo.com
• Phone: 844-469-4844
• Web: gowithhippo.ca