Booking

Booking is the act of reserving a service for a future date or time. A booking guarantees access to a resource such as a hotel room, airline seat, restaurant table, event ticket, or professional appointment. Reservations may require payment, a deposit, or a guarantee of payment and may be cancellable or non-refundable depending on terms. The practice spans travel, hospitality, events, health care, and professional services, and has evolved from manual ledgers to digital systems.

The typical process involves checking availability, selecting an option, agreeing to terms (dates, rates, penalties), and receiving a confirmation with a reference number. Today, most bookings are made through online platforms or mobile apps, which synchronize inventory in real time and can integrate with calendars and payment processors. Some bookings are still made by phone or in person, especially for complex arrangements or impulse purchases.

Key considerations include cancellation and refund policies, deposits or guarantees, and penalties for changes or no-shows. Overbooking is a common practice in some industries to hedge against cancellations, but it requires customer communication and recovery plans. Data privacy and payment security are also important, as bookings involve personal information and financial details.

Impact and trends include increased convenience for customers, improved capacity planning for providers, and revenue management through dynamic pricing. The rise of global distribution systems and online travel agencies has shaped how inventory is sold, while standards for data exchange and identity verification help reduce fraud and errors.