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IMPT vs Booking.com: What Your Confirmation Actually Looks Like

Published 2026-05-07 by the Try IMPT editors

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IMPT booking confirmations include three key documents: a standard hotel voucher (identical to Booking.com format), a booking receipt showing your nightly rate, and a unique carbon retirement certificate proving 1 tonne of UN-verified CO₂ was retired on-chain for your stay. The hotel voucher works exactly like any other OTA confirmation—just present it at check-in.

If you've never booked through IMPT before, the obvious question is: what actually lands in your inbox? Do hotels recognise the confirmation? Does it look sketchy? And where's the proof your stay offset carbon?

We've placed the two confirmation experiences side by side—IMPT versus Booking.com—so you know exactly what to expect before you hit book.

The Hotel Voucher: Identical Format, Different Header

The first document you receive from IMPT is your hotel voucher. This is the confirmation you'll show at reception when you arrive in Dublin, Galway, or anywhere else.

The format is near-identical to a Booking.com voucher. You'll see:

The only visual difference is the header. Instead of Booking.com's blue logo, you'll see IMPT branding. Hotels process this voucher through the same back-end systems they use for any major OTA. Their property management software doesn't care which platform sent the booking—it reads the reservation code and pulls up your details.

If you're staying at a boutique property in Cork or a heritage inn in Kilkenny, the front desk staff won't blink. They see IMPT confirmations the same way they see Expedia, Agoda, or Hotels.com vouchers—routine channel bookings.

The Booking Receipt: Your Financial Record

The second document is your booking receipt. This is the financial summary you'd use for expense claims, VAT reclaim, or personal records.

Booking.com's receipt typically shows:

IMPT's receipt mirrors this structure. You'll see the same line items. The nightly rate you pay is the standard hotel rate—IMPT doesn't mark it up to fund the carbon offset. Instead, the carbon mechanic works like this: 1 tonne of UN-verified CO₂ retired on-chain per booking—28× the average per-night hotel footprint. IMPT funds it from its commission, so the guest pays the standard nightly rate.

Your receipt won't show a separate "carbon fee" line. The environmental cost is absorbed by IMPT, not passed to you. This is the core difference from carbon-offset add-ons you might see on other platforms, where you're asked to tick a box and pay extra.

The Carbon Retirement Certificate: Proof on the Blockchain

This is where IMPT diverges completely from Booking.com. The third document in your confirmation email is a carbon retirement certificate.

Booking.com doesn't issue one, because they don't retire carbon for your stay. Some properties on their platform might self-report eco-certifications, but there's no automatic offset mechanism and no blockchain proof.

IMPT's certificate includes:

The transaction hash is a permanent, public record. You can copy it into a blockchain explorer and see the exact moment the carbon credit was retired. This isn't a PDF someone designed in Canva—it's cryptographic proof that the offset happened and cannot be reversed or resold.

If you're staying in Belfast for a conference or touring the Wild Atlantic Way, you'll receive this certificate within hours of booking. It's yours to keep, share, or include in corporate sustainability reports.

Email Delivery: Timing and Layout

Booking.com typically sends one email immediately after you complete payment. That email contains your voucher and receipt in a single message, sometimes with upsell prompts for car hire or airport transfers.

IMPT sends one confirmation email as well, but the structure is cleaner. You'll receive:

There are no upsell banners, no "complete your trip" prompts, and no third-party ads. The email is transactional and easy to forward to a travel companion or save to your phone for offline access.

Both platforms send a second reminder email 24–48 hours before check-in. IMPT's version includes a QR code you can scan at the hotel if you prefer not to print the voucher.

Ready to see what your own IMPT confirmation looks like? Search hotels and book your first eco-stay—you'll have the full document set in your inbox within minutes.

What Happens If You Need to Cancel or Modify

Booking.com's modification flow is well-worn. You click "manage booking" in your confirmation email, log into your account, and either cancel or request changes. If the property allows free cancellation, you get a refund within 5–7 business days. If it's non-refundable, you're charged the full amount regardless.

IMPT's process is nearly identical. Your confirmation email includes a "manage booking" link that takes you to your reservation dashboard. You can cancel or modify subject to the hotel's policy (IMPT doesn't set the cancellation terms—the property does).

The one extra step: if you cancel a booking, the carbon credit that was already retired stays retired. It doesn't get refunded or transferred to a future stay. This is because carbon offsets are permanent actions—once a tonne of CO₂ is neutralised, it can't be un-neutralised.

If you rebook the same hotel or a different property, a new carbon retirement happens for the new reservation. Your certificate archive in the IMPT app will show both the cancelled booking's offset and the new one.

What You Won't See in an IMPT Confirmation

To set expectations clearly, here's what IMPT confirmations don't include:

If you're used to Booking.com's busy confirmation emails with multiple CTAs, IMPT's format will feel quiet. That's intentional—it's a booking confirmation, not a marketing funnel.

Presenting Your Confirmation at the Hotel

When you arrive at your hotel, the check-in experience is identical whether you booked via IMPT or Booking.com. Most properties ask for:

Some travellers worry that showing an IMPT voucher might prompt questions or confusion. In practice, hotel staff don't comment on which OTA you used. They scan the reference, pull up your reservation, and hand you a key card. Whether you're checking into a property in Derry or a coastal spot in Donegal, the process is seamless.

The carbon certificate is yours to keep. You don't need to show it at check-in, and the hotel won't ask for it. If you want to mention the offset to the front desk—perhaps because the property is also sustainability-focused—you can, but it's not required for the booking to be honoured.

FAQ

Do I need to print the IMPT voucher, or can I show it on my phone?

Either works. Most hotels accept a digital voucher displayed on your phone. If you're traveling somewhere with limited signal, save the PDF offline or take a screenshot of the booking reference number.

Can I forward the IMPT confirmation to someone else if they're checking in without me?

Yes. The voucher PDF is transferable. Just make sure the person checking in has photo ID that matches the guest name on the reservation. Some hotels require the cardholder who paid to be present, so confirm the property's policy in advance if the guest and payer are different people.

What if the hotel says they don't see my IMPT booking in their system?

This is rare but can happen if the property's system hasn't refreshed. Show them the booking reference number on your voucher and ask them to search by guest name and check-in date. If the issue persists, contact IMPT support via the app—they'll call the hotel directly and resolve it within minutes.

Does the carbon certificate expire, or can I use it for reporting years later?

The certificate never expires. The blockchain record is permanent, so you can reference the transaction hash and retirement details indefinitely. If you're filing a sustainability report in 2028 for a stay you booked in 2026, the proof remains valid and verifiable.

Now that you know exactly what to expect, the only thing left is to book. Search eco-hotels on IMPT and see your confirmation—voucher, receipt, and carbon proof—hit your inbox before you finish your coffee.