A booking deposit (or card on file / card guarantee) is a sum — or a hold on the credit card — that a restaurant takes at the time of booking as a guarantee against absences. If the guest shows up, it’s deducted from the bill or released; if they don’t show without cancelling, it can be kept as a penalty.
It’s the most effective tool against no-shows, especially for large tables, events and high-demand nights, where an absence hurts most.
How to use it without alienating guests
The key is communication: the policy must be explained clearly at booking, framed as a mutual guarantee rather than a sign of distrust. Used well, it drastically cuts absences without harming the experience; used badly, it can deter bookings. It’s often reserved for the highest-risk cases, not every table. Here’s how to introduce deposits without alienating guests.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a booking deposit in a restaurant?
- A sum or card hold taken at booking as a guarantee: deducted from the bill if the guest shows up, or kept as a penalty in case of a no-show without cancellation.
- Do booking deposits put guests off?
- Only if communicated badly. Explained clearly as a mutual guarantee and reserved for higher-risk cases (groups, events), they cut no-shows without harming the experience.