An available table may suit a waitlisted guest
A late cancellation or an earlier-than-expected departure can create an opening during a busy service. The first person on the waitlist, however, may have a party size or arrival time that does not match the available table.
Manager's floor plan helps the team track physical table status, while its waitlist records unmet demand. Joining the waitlist is not the same as holding a confirmed reservation.
1. Is the table actually available?
Even if a cancellation releases a table, review the next bookings in that time slot. If the previous guests have only just left, allow for clearing and resetting the table.
- Is the table physically ready for guests?
- Is another reservation already due in the same time window?
- What party size can the table accommodate?
- Is there enough time for the next party's expected seating?
2. Find a suitable request on the waitlist
Compare each guest's party size, flexibility on arrival time and any seating preference. The first request in the list is not necessarily the best match.
The general waitlist guide explains how to evaluate pending requests.
3. Confirm the guest before updating the booking
Use the venue's approved contact and booking process to offer the opening. Once the guest accepts, create or update the correct reservation for that table and time. Do not promise a confirmed table before guest acceptance.
An automatic WhatsApp offer followed by confirmation for the first respondent should only be described or used where the venue has verified that the relevant automation is configured. Otherwise, the team must handle the offer and confirmation.
4. Match the floor plan to the live service
When the guest arrives, complete check-in and verify which table is occupied and how that affects actual capacity. A table can appear available after a cancellation before the room team has physically prepared it.
Use the check-in, check-out and table-status guide for the final checks, or explore Rezervem Manager.