AltDesking, Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is AltDesking?
Imagine walking into a cafe with your laptop, being all chuffed up to do some solid work for a couple of hours. And you find out that there are no empty tables, or your favourite spot is already taken, or the table you finally got has no power socket. Relate much?
AltDesking’s raison d'etre is to make sure that the above scenario never again pans out for you. We are a mobile platform that helps you to find inspiring spaces in your city to work from, and even to book your favourite spot in that space in advance, possibly with a juicy deal that includes a coffee and something to eat. We strive to connect people seeking flexible and high-quality work environments with a diverse range of curated and non-traditional workspaces. From hotel lobbies to trendy cafes and innovative co-working hubs, AltDesking helps you find the perfect spot. Each space (AltSpace) offers essentials like charging stations, fast internet, and coffee. In the future, we will introduce a networking feature to help like-minded AltDeskers connect in their cities, building entrepreneurial communities as we grow.
What is AltDesking nomenclature?
“Alt” in AltDesking stands for the word “Alternative” suggesting alternative options and approaches much like Alternative Rock, Alternative Living. The task itself is AltDesking. People who use the platform are AltDeskers, and the places which make it happen are called AltSpaces.
Where are the locations AltDesking is currently operational?
While AltDesking plans to expand globally, we are currently operational in Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. You can find and book workspaces in Newcastle using our mobile app.
What types of workspaces do you offer?
AltDesking offers a variety of curated workspaces including cafes, co-working hubs (equipped with both dedicated desks and meeting rooms), hotel lobbies, bistro/Pubs rooftops, sport clubs, etc.
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How do I find the nearest AltDesking location?
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Use the location finder tool on our mobile app to find the nearest AltDesking location to you.
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Booking and Pricing
How do I book a workspace?
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You can book a workspace through our mobile app.Simply search for available workspaces in your city, select your preferred AltSpace and deal, and then complete the booking process on the app. It’s very straightforward.
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What is the pricing structure for booking workspaces?
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Pricing varies depending on the type of AltSpace, location, and deals offered. You pay only for the time you use the workspace, with no long-term commitments.
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Are there any subscription or membership plans?
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AltDesking does not offer any subscription plans at the moment, and only operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, allowing you to book workspaces as needed without any subscription or membership commitments.
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How long Can I book a workspace for, and Can I book in advance?
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Currently, you can book workspaces for either 2-hour or 8-hour sessions. Yes, you can book AltSpaces in advance through the platform.
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Services and Amenities
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What amenities are included with my booking?
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Usually, all AltSpaces provide essentials like high-speed internet, charging points, and coffee (the type of hot drink is subject to availability). Additional amenities such as food or other services are displayed on each AltSpace's profile. Check the details for each AltSpace before booking.
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Are there any additional fees for using the amenities?
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No, all the services displayed (as icons) on the AltSpace profile are included in the booking price. However, some additional services provided by the AltSpace itself which are not offered as part of a deal on their profile, for example printing may incur extra charges.
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Billing and Payment
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What payment methods do you accept?
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We accept major credit and debit cards. Payment is authorised at the time of booking and processed prior to the booking start time through our secure online system. A receipt will be sent to your email for your records.
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Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, you can cancel your booking up to 3 hours prior to your booking start time. However, no changes or cancellations can be made after this period.
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AltSpace Usage
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How do I access the AltSpace after booking?
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After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with details on your designated workspace as well as a unique code to verify your booking with the space. All this information will also be available to you in your “My Bookings” section of the app.
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What are the opening times for AltSpaces and can I access the AltSpaces outside of office hours?
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Opening hours differ from AltSpace to AltSpace. Some AltSpaces such as hotel lobbies offer 24/7 access, while others have specific operating hours. Please check the details for each AltSpace before booking to confirm availability outside of regular operational hours.
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Can I leave my belongings during the booking period (session)?
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You can leave your belongings in the workspace during your booking period. However, please note that you will be responsible for your own belongings, and AltDesking is not liable for any damage or loss while using the services at an AltSpace facility.
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Spaces that are not AltSpaces
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Can I Book Spaces that are not listed as AltSpaces on the app?
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There is no direct booking available for such places on the app until they become an AltSpace. They are there to help AltDeskers get a wider range of spaces to choose from.
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Is the information provided by non-AltSpaces accurate?
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The non-AltSpace spaces might or might not be managed by the spaces themselves. Although we take the utmost care to provide as accurate information as we can, we recommend AltDeskers to double check the information online before making any plans.
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Reviews
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Can I leave a review for a non-AltSpace space?
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Yes you certainly can, in fact we encourage you to leave ratings for as many spaces as you visit as this will help your fellow AltDeskers make better informed choices. Each and every of your ratings makes AltDesking a better platform.
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Whose ratings are we looking at when we check a space/AltSpace details?
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You see an average of the all ratings provided by AltDeskers like yourself. When you leave a rating for a space it gets included into that average, and it takes up to 48 hours for the ratings to be updated.
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Support and Contact
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How do I contact AltDesking support?
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You can contact our support team via email, phone, and contact box available on both our website and mobile app.
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What are your customer service hours?
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Our customer service team is available from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Sunday. For urgent issues, 24/7 support is available.
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How do I report an issue or make a suggestion?
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We value your feedback. You can report issues or make suggestions through the app, the website, or by contacting our support team directly.
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