Booking Settings

Booking Settings

Booking Settings in Restaurant Settings allow you to configure how table bookings work in EquiBillBook, including advance booking periods, duration limits, confirmation rules, and booking policies. This guide covers all booking-related configuration options.

Accessing Booking Settings

To configure booking settings:

1. Navigate to Settings → Restaurant Settings
2. Click on "Booking Settings" or find it in the Restaurant Configuration section
3. Configure various booking options

Advance Booking Configuration

Maximum Advance Booking Period

Set how far in advance customers can book tables:

• Maximum Days: Maximum number of days in advance (e.g., 30, 60, 90 days)
• Unlimited: Allow bookings without advance time limit
• Custom Period: Set specific date range for advance bookings

Example: Setting 30 days means customers can book up to 30 days in advance.

Minimum Advance Booking Time

Set the minimum time before booking that customers must book:

• Minimum Hours: Minimum hours before booking time (e.g., 2, 4, 24 hours)
• Same-day Booking: Allow or restrict same-day bookings
• Last-minute Booking: Allow bookings within minimum hours with approval

Booking Buffer Time

Configure time between consecutive bookings on the same table:

• Buffer Duration: Time gap between bookings (e.g., 15, 30 minutes)
• Purpose: Allows time for table cleaning and preparation
• Flexible Buffer: Allow buffer to be overridden for special cases

Booking Duration Settings

Minimum Booking Duration

Set the shortest allowed booking time:

• Minimum Duration: Shortest booking time (e.g., 1 hour, 90 minutes)
• Enforcement: System prevents bookings shorter than minimum
• Exceptions: Allow exceptions with manager approval

Maximum Booking Duration

Set the longest allowed booking time:

• Maximum Duration: Longest booking time (e.g., 3, 4, 6 hours)
• Purpose: Prevents table blocking for extended periods
• Extended Bookings: Allow longer bookings with special approval

Default Booking Duration

Set the standard booking length:

• Default Duration: Standard booking time (e.g., 2 hours)
• Auto-fill: Automatically fill duration field with default
• Table Type Override: Different defaults for different table types

Booking Confirmation Settings

Confirmation Method

Configure how bookings are confirmed:

• Auto-confirm: Automatically confirm all bookings
• Manual Approval: Require staff approval before confirmation
Conditional Auto-confirm: Auto-confirm based on conditions (time, table type, etc.)

Confirmation Notifications

• Email Confirmation: Send confirmation emails to customers
• SMS Confirmation: Send confirmation SMS to customers
• Staff Notification: Notify staff when bookings are confirmed
• Confirmation Template: Customize confirmation message content

Multiple Table Booking

Enable Multiple Table Booking

Allow customers to book multiple tables in one booking:

• Enable Feature: Turn on multiple table booking
• Maximum Tables: Limit number of tables per booking
• Adjacent Requirement: Require tables to be adjacent or nearby
• Same Floor Only: Restrict to tables on same floor

Multiple Table Rules

• Capacity Matching: Ensure total capacity matches guest count
• Availability Check: Verify all tables are available
• Pricing: How pricing works for multiple tables

Booking Cancellation Settings

Cancellation Policy

• Allow Cancellation: Enable or disable booking cancellations
• Cancellation Deadline: Latest time before booking when cancellation is allowed
• Refund Policy: Rules for deposit refunds on cancellation
• Partial Refund: Allow partial refunds based on cancellation time

Cancellation Notifications

• Customer Notification: Notify customer when booking is cancelled
• Staff Alert: Alert staff immediately when cancellation occurs
• Table Availability: Automatically make table available after cancellation

Booking Restrictions

Time-based Restrictions

• Peak Hours: Different rules during peak hours
• Off-peak Discounts: Special pricing for off-peak bookings
• Holiday Restrictions: Special rules for holidays

Table Type Restrictions

• VIP Table Rules: Special rules for VIP tables
• Outdoor Table Rules: Weather-dependent rules for outdoor tables
• Capacity Restrictions: Minimum/maximum guest requirements

Recurring Booking Settings

Enable Recurring Bookings

• Allow Recurring: Enable recurring booking feature
• Recurrence Patterns: Supported patterns (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Maximum Recurrences: Limit on number of recurring instances
• Auto-confirm Recurring: Auto-confirm recurring bookings

Booking Reminders

Reminder Configuration

• Enable Reminders: Send reminders before booking time
• Reminder Time: When to send reminders (e.g., 24 hours, 2 hours before)
• Multiple Reminders: Send multiple reminders at different times
• Reminder Methods: Email, SMS, or both

Saving Booking Settings

After configuring all booking settings:

1. Review all changes carefully
2. Click "Save" or "Update Settings"
3. Settings will take effect immediately for new bookings
4. Existing bookings may not be affected by some setting changes

Best Practices

• Balance Flexibility: Balance customer convenience with table utilization
• Set Realistic Durations: Base minimum/maximum on actual dining patterns
• Test Settings: Test booking flow with sample bookings
• Monitor Performance: Review booking patterns and adjust settings
• Clear Communication: Ensure customers understand booking policies
• Peak Hour Management: Adjust settings for peak vs. off-peak times

Related Settings

Booking settings work together with:

• Deposit Settings: Configure deposit requirements for bookings
• Operating Hours: Booking availability is limited by operating hours
• Public Booking Settings: Configure public booking portal behavior
• Notification Settings: Set up booking-related notifications

Proper booking settings ensure efficient table utilization and excellent customer experience!