ennakkovarausta

Ennakkovaraus is a Finnish term meaning advance booking or pre-reservation. It refers to the process of reserving a product or service for a future date, often to secure availability and, in some cases, to lock in price. An ennakkovaraus may involve a temporary hold on inventory and, depending on the provider, require payment or a deposit to finalize the booking. The hold period gives the customer time to confirm details, complete payment, or provide necessary information, after which the reservation is either confirmed or released if not completed within the specified time.

Typical contexts include travel and accommodation (hotels, hostels, rental apartments), transportation (rail, ferry, charter services), events (conferences, concerts), and equipment rental. The exact terms vary: some ennakkovaraus are fully refundable if canceled within a time window; others require non-refundable deposits, while some only become binding after payment or confirmation.

Benefits include securing availability during peak periods, enabling better planning, and potential price protection. For providers, ennakkovaraus aids in capacity management and revenue forecasting. Drawbacks for customers can include tied-up funds, cancellation fees, and restrictions on changing plans, especially if the hold period is short or terms are complex.

See also: varaus (reservation), peruutus (cancellation), maksuehdot or vahvistus (payment terms and confirmation).