Does Airlocum Charge a Booking Fee?
✅ Short answer No separate booking fee. The price shown in search results is the total you pay. Airlocum’s service fee and VAT are already included in the hourly rate displayed before you book. There are no hidden charges, no subscription fees, and no surprises at checkout. |
What the Price You See Includes
Every hourly rate displayed in Airlocum’s search results is an all-inclusive figure. It is made up of three components:
Component | Amount | Notes |
Locum’s hourly rate | Varies | Set by the locum. Filterable in search. |
Airlocum service fee | £3.00/hr | Ex VAT. Charged to practice, not deducted from locum. |
VAT on service fee | £0.60/hr | 20% VAT applied to the £3.00 service fee only. |
Airlocum total charge (inc VAT) | £3.60/hr | This is what appears in your invoice from Airlocum. |
💡 Why you see two invoices after a booking You receive one invoice from the locum for their hourly rate, and a separate invoice from Airlocum for the £3.60/hr service charge (inc VAT). The combined total of both invoices is exactly the all-inclusive rate shown in search results — nothing is added at billing. See Why Do I See Two Invoices? for the full explanation. |
Mileage Charges
A mileage charge applies only if your booked locum travels more than 25 miles round trip to reach your practice. Mileage is charged at 45p per mile for the distance beyond the first 25 miles and applies to dental nurses and receptionists only — not to dentists, hygienists, or therapists.
If mileage applies to your booking, it appears as a separate line item at checkout before you confirm the request. You will never be charged for mileage that was not shown at the time of booking.
What You See at Checkout
Before you confirm any booking request, Airlocum shows a clear breakdown of all charges:
1 | Locum hourly rate (inc Airlocum service fee and VAT) — the all-inclusive rate displayed in search results |
2 | Mileage (if applicable) — shown only if the locum’s travel exceeds 25 miles round trip |
✅ No surprises at billing The total shown at checkout is the total you are charged. There are no additional fees added after you confirm a booking. There is no subscription fee, no registration fee, and no minimum spend. You only pay for completed, approved shifts. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a subscription or registration fee to use Airlocum?
No. Registration is free for practices and there is no subscription fee. You only pay when you make a booking — and only after the shift is completed and the timesheet is approved.
Is the service fee charged to the practice or deducted from the locum?
The service fee is charged to the practice. The locum receives 100% of their advertised hourly rate — nothing is deducted from their pay.
Why do I see two invoices after a shift?
You receive one invoice from the locum for their hourly rate, and a separate invoice from Airlocum for the £3.60/hr service charge (inc VAT). This split is required for legal and tax compliance relating to the locum's self-employed contractor status. The combined total of both invoices equals the all-inclusive rate shown at booking. See Why Do I See Two Invoices? for full details.
Does the mileage charge apply to all locum roles?
No. Mileage applies only to dental nurses and receptionists who travel more than 25 miles round trip. It does not apply to dentists, hygienists, or orthodontic therapists.
