Annex A Fee & Bonus Structure | The Zurich Insider

This Annex forms an integral part of the Freelance Guide Agreement between The Zurich Insider (the “Agency”) and the Guide. It may be updated from time to time by written notice from the Agency. In the event of a conflict, the Agreement prevails.

A1. Guide Fee Structure

A1.1 Hourly Fees

Unless otherwise agreed in a specific Assignment Confirmation, the following net guide fees apply per Assignment:

2 hours: CHF 220.00
3 hours: CHF 270.00
4 hours: CHF 330.00
5 hours: CHF 390.00
6 hours: CHF 450.00
7 hours: CHF 500.00
8 hours: CHF 550.00

9-10 hours: CHF 650.00
11-12 hours: CHF 690.00

The applicable fee for each Assignment will be stated in the Assignment Confirmation. For Assignments longer than 8 hours, the agreed day rate (e.g., up to 10 hours / up to 12 hours) will be specified in the Assignment Confirmation.

A1.1.2 Exceptions to this fee structure
From time to time, certain Assignments may follow a different compensation model (for example: multi‑day tours, special projects, or tours operated under separate agreements with partner travel agencies). In such cases, the applicable fee and conditions will be clearly stated in the request (Soft Hold), the Assignment Confirmation, or in a separate written agreement. The Guide is always free to accept or decline any Assignment request.

A1.2 What the Fee Includes

Unless otherwise specified in the Assignment Confirmation, the guide fee:

Includes the Guide’s time, preparation, guiding services, and any personal meals or refreshments during the tour. The Guide’s own transport costs to and from the meeting point within the Guide’s usual place of residence and standard local transport zones in the assigned city (e.g., Zone 110/120 in Zurich)

Does not include:
- Guide’s travel to a starting point (beyond what is mentioned above) is reimbursed when expressly pre‑approved in the Assignment Confirmation.
- Guest transport tickets (e.g., ZVV, SBB)
- Guide and Guest entrance tickets (museums, attractions, lifts, etc.)
- Courtesy gifts or service recovery gestures for guests
- Any third-party services

Unless stated otherwise in the Assignment Confirmation, guest entrance tickets are either prepaid by the Agency or reimbursed as pre‑approved expenses; guide entrance tickets are reimbursed only if expressly pre‑approved.

A1.3 Extra Hours / Significant Extensions

Any such additional fee must be clearly agreed with guests before the extra time (typically more than an extra 20 minutes beyond the agreed service duration) is provided, and in a courteous, transparent manner. The Guide shall not pressure guests into accepting additional time or fees.

The Guide may agree an additional fee directly with the guests (commonly in the range of CHF 60–70 per extra hour, per Guide), which is paid directly to the Guide and belongs 100% to the Guide.
This applies only to extensions of the ongoing Assignment and does not constitute a separate booking relationship.
The Guide shall inform the Agency after the tour about:
- The extra time provided, and
- The additional fee agreed (if any).

This does not change the fee owed by the Agency for the original Assignment unless expressly agreed in writing.

The Guide is responsible for declaring any such directly received extra fees for tax and social security purposes.

A2. Bonuses and Commissions

A2.1 Referred Tours (Commission for Named Guide)

If guests explicitly request or name the Guide when booking through the Agency (or a partner agency) and book a tour operated by The Zurich Insider:

The Guide is entitled to a commission of 5% of the guide-services fee paid by the Agency to the Guide for that tour, including VAT where applicable and excluding third-party costs such as transport tickets, entrance fees, or meals.

The commission is payable after the tour has taken place. This commission applies to the first tour booked after the named request. Any extension or repeat booking is not automatically subject to further commission unless expressly agreed.

The Guide shall invoice this commission separately or together with the relevant tour fee

A2.2 Google Review Bonus

If:

A guest posts a new Google review for The Zurich Insider, and
The review clearly mentions the Guide by name, and
The review is rated 5 stars.

The Guide is entitled to a CHF 25.00 bonus for each review.

Conditions:

If more than one guide is mentioned by name in a single review, the bonus of CHF 25 applies per named guide.
Each review counts once; edited or duplicate reviews do not count as multiple reviews.
The Agency may, from time to time, verify the review and may ask the Guide to reference the date and guest name/tour where known.
The Guide invoices these bonuses periodically (e.g., monthly or quarterly) in accordance with the Agency’s instructions.

This bonus does not form part of the Guide’s remuneration and is entirely discretionary.

A2.2.1 Review Requests and Platforms

The Guide may only encourage guests to leave online reviews for The Zurich Insider, not for the Guide’s own platforms, profiles, or personal business listings, in connection with Assignments carried out for the Agency.

For certain Assignments (for example, white‑label tours operated under a partner agency’s brand), the Agency may instruct the Guide not to request any reviews or to direct guests to a specific third‑party brand or channel. The Guide agrees to follow these instructions and to refrain from asking for reviews where the Agency indicates that no review should be requested.

The internal Google review bonus described in clause 2.2 is a discretionary performance bonus between the Agency and the Guide. It must not be presented to guests as a reward, incentive, or condition for writing a review.

A2.3 Discretionary Changes

The Agency may modify the above bonus and commission schemes for future Assignments by written notice (e.g., email or updated Annex A). Changes do not affect bonuses or commissions already earned at the time of change, which will be honoured under the terms in force when they were earned.

A3. Service recovery & flexibility (Handbook - Chapter 4)

Sometimes things go wrong: unexpected closures, miscommunications, weather surprises, or mismatched expectations. How you respond often matters more than the problem itself.

Small gestures (always available)
Even without any extra budget, you can often improve the experience by:

Offering an extra story, a short detour, or a special photo moment.
Sharing a personalised list of recommendations or follow‑up ideas.
Adjusting pace, route, or focus to better match what guests actually want.

These gestures cost little but can transform how guests feel.

Standard recovery budget (CHF 30.00 per assignment)

To support professional judgement on the spot, The Zurich Insider provides a standard recovery budget of up to CHF 30.00 per assignment that you may use at your discretion when something has gone terribly wrong (especially if it is not the guests’ fault).

You may use this budget for, for example:

A coffee and pastry at a nicer café after a rough start.
Covering an alternative entrance fee when a planned site is unexpectedly closed.
A small treat or upgrade that genuinely helps repair the experience.

If you use this budget:

Treat the CHF 30.00 as per assignment, not per person.
Keep receipts and be ready to explain briefly what you did and why when you invoice.

If you feel CHF 30.00 is not enough

If you believe a situation requires a gesture beyond CHF 30.00 (for example, a larger Agency‑caused error or a significant disruption), please call The Agency before committing to extra costs wherever reasonably possible.
Until you have spoken with The Agency, stay with non‑monetary gestures and the standard CHF 30.00 recovery budget.

Invoicing, reimbursement & receipts

All guide fees, bonuses, commissions, and approved expenses are settled by invoice in line with the Agreement. The Agency does not generally require you to attach receipts to your invoice as a matter of trust; however, it is strongly recommended that you keep receipts and basic documentation for your own bookkeeping and tax records, in case we ever need to clarify a specific amount.