Use the waiting list
See guests who are waiting for a table and turn them into real bookings when a table frees up.
The waiting list holds guests who want a table that is not free yet. Waiting guests have no table, and they don't take up space in the timeline.
See who is waiting
Open Monitor and click Waiting in the side bar. The Waiting List panel lists the guests by requested time, with the guest name, number of guests and any notes. It says No one on the waiting list when it is empty.
On a phone, the list view also shows the waiting list.
How guests get on the list
- Online, when you allow it. Switch on Customers can apply for a waiting list when the restaurant is fully booked in Online booking settings.
- When you set a day to Waiting list (all day), or choose Waiting list times. See Close online bookings or change one day.
- By you. In the booking form, set Status to Waiting and click Save. Confirm A waiting list booking will be created. Do you want to continue?.
No confirmation email or text is sent to a waiting guest.
Turn a waiting guest into a booking
Open the waiting booking
Click the guest in the Waiting List panel.
Move it off the waiting list
Open the Edit tab. The table area is covered by a Move from waiting list button. Click it. The status changes to New booking.
Pick the time and tables
Check the Date, Time, Duration and Guests, and choose tables under Tables.
Save
Click Save. The guest now shows in the timeline and list as a normal booking.
When a waiting booking becomes a New booking, Dineout sends the guest a booking confirmation email.