Booking vs. Reservation: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Booking refers to the act of arranging in advance for a service or facility, while a reservation is holding something, like a table or seat, for future use.
Key Differences
Booking is a process of formally securing a service or product for use at a future time, often involving payment or a deposit. A reservation, in contrast, generally implies holding or keeping something aside, like a table at a restaurant or a room in a hotel, typically without immediate payment.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
While booking often requires financial commitment or confirmation, such as purchasing a ticket or paying a fee, a reservation might simply involve stating an intention to use a service or product at a later date. For example, booking a flight involves payment, whereas making a reservation at a restaurant might not.
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Nov 14, 2023
In the context of services, booking usually confirms one's entitlement to a service at a specific time, like booking a hotel room for particular dates. On the other hand, a reservation might be more flexible, allowing for changes or cancellations, such as reserving a table at a restaurant.
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Nov 14, 2023
Booking is often used in contexts where allocation is limited and requires assurance, such as booking seats for a concert. Reservation, however, might imply a preference or intention, like reserving the right to purchase tickets when they become available.
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Nov 14, 2023
In digital platforms, booking is typically a more interactive process, often requiring user input and confirmation, while making a reservation can be as simple as placing a call or sending a message to hold a service or product temporarily.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Commitment
Often requires payment or deposit
May not require immediate payment
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Nov 14, 2023
Flexibility
Less flexible, with specific terms
More flexible, often changeable
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Nov 14, 2023
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Booking and Reservation Definitions
Booking
Arranging a service or product for use at a future time.
I'm booking flights for our summer vacation.
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Nov 14, 2023
Reservation
Claiming a right to purchase or use something later.
She has a reservation for the first edition of the new novel.
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Nov 14, 2023
Booking
Securing a professional's time, like a photographer or musician.
They're booking a DJ for their wedding reception.
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Nov 14, 2023
Reservation
Keeping accommodations like a hotel room or rental car.
They have a reservation for a suite next weekend.
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Nov 14, 2023
Booking
Confirming a place or spot in an event or location.
We're booking tickets for the new Broadway show.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Reservation
Holding a service or space for future use.
We made a reservation at the Italian restaurant for tonight.
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Nov 14, 2023
Reservation
Securing a spot without immediate commitment.
We hold a reservation for the seminar but haven't paid yet.
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Nov 14, 2023
Reservation
The act of reserving; a keeping back or withholding
The reservation of the right to use the property.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
A limiting qualification, condition, or exception
Accepted with the reservation that she would have to leave early.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
The act or process of writing something down in a book or books, e.g. in accounting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
Often reservations A doubt or misgiving
Has reservations about the proposal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
A reservation for a service, such as travel or hotel accommodation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
A tract of land set apart by the federal government for a special purpose, especially one for the use of a Native American people.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
An arrangement by which accommodations are secured in advance, as in a hotel or restaurant or on an airplane.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
(sports) The issuing of a caution which is usually written down in a book, and results in a yellow card or (after two bookings) a red card, that is to say, the player is sent from the field of play.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The act of reserving, withholding or keeping back.
The committee authorised the reservation of funds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
(legal) The process of photographing, fingerprinting and recording the identifying data of a suspect following arrest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The practice of reserving part of the consecrated bread of the Eucharist for the communion of the sick.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
Employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time;
The play had bookings throughout the summer
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The act of the pope to reserve to himself the right to nominate to certain benefices.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
The act of reserving (a place or passage) or engaging the services of (a person or group);
Wondered who had made the booking
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
Reserving accommodation or transportation.
She's booking a hotel room for her business trip.
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Nov 14, 2023
Reservation
A limiting qualification regarding certainty; a doubt.
I have reservations about your intentions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Booking
Making a formal arrangement for a service.
He's booking a table at the best restaurant in town.
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Nov 14, 2023
Reservation
(US) A tract of land set apart by the US government for the use of a Native American people; Indian reservation (compare Canadian reserve).
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
An arrangement by which accommodation or transport arrangements are secured in advance.
I have a hotel reservation in the name of Mr Smith.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
(UK) The area which separates opposing lanes of traffic on a divided motorway or dual carriageway; see also central reservation.
A vehicle crashed through the central reservation into the path of oncoming traffic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
(India) The setting aside of a certain percentage of vacancies in government institutions for members of backward and underrepresented communities (defined primarily by caste and tribe).
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
A power of an overseeing authority to suspend legislation in the jurisdiction being overseen pending the approval of a higher authority. Such as a provincial/state governor reserving a bill passed by the state/provincial legislature from assent, pending approval of the federal government; or a federal bill passed by federal parliament being reserved by the viceroy pending approval by the crown.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The act of reserving, or keeping back; concealment, or withholding from disclosure; reserve.
With reservation of an hundred knights.
Make some reservation of your wrongs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
Something withheld, either not expressed or disclosed, or not given up or brought forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
A tract of the public land reserved for some special use, as for schools, for the use of Indians, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
A clause in an instrument by which some new thing is reserved out of the thing granted, and not in esse before.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The portion of the sacramental elements reserved for purposes of devotion and for the communion of the absent and sick.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
An agreement to have some space, service or other acommodation, as at a hotel, a restaurant, or on a public transport system, held for one's future use; also, the record or receipt for such an agreement, or the contractual obligation to retain that accommodation; as, a hotel reservation; a reservation on a flight to Dallas; to book a reservation at the Ritz.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
A statement that limits or restricts some claim;
He recommended her without any reservations
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
An unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The act of reserving (a place or passage) or engaging the services of (a person or group);
Wondered who had made the booking
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The written record or promise of an arrangement by which accommodations are secured in advance
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
Something reserved in advance (as a hotel accommodation or a seat on a plane etc.)
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
The act of keeping back or setting aside for some future occasion
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Oct 19, 2023
Reservation
Arranging for a table at a restaurant.
I'll need a reservation for a party of six.
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Nov 14, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do I pay when I make a reservation?
Not always; it depends on the policy of the service provider.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is a reservation the same as a booking?
Not exactly; reservations often imply less commitment than bookings.
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Nov 14, 2023
What is a reservation?
A reservation is holding a service or space for future use, sometimes without payment.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can a booking be canceled?
Yes, but it may involve cancellation fees or terms.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can I change a hotel booking?
Yes, subject to the hotel's change policy and availability.
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Nov 14, 2023
What is booking?
Booking is securing a service or product for future use, often with a payment.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can I make a reservation for a future product release?
Yes, this is common for high-demand products.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can I reserve a seat on a train without paying?
It depends on the train service’s policy.
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Nov 14, 2023
How do I book a flight?
Through an airline's website, a travel agency, or a booking platform.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are bookings refundable?
It varies by service provider and the terms of the booking.
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Nov 14, 2023
How far in advance can I book a hotel room?
Typically up to a year in advance, depending on the hotel.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is a credit card required for reservations?
Often for hotels or car rentals, but not always for restaurants.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is a dinner reservation binding?
Generally, no, but it’s courteous to inform the restaurant if you can’t make it.
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Nov 14, 2023
What’s the difference in commitment between booking and reservation?
Booking often implies a firmer commitment than a reservation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
How do I confirm my booking?
Usually through an email confirmation or a booking reference number.
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Nov 14, 2023
What happens if I miss my booked event?
You may lose your booking or be subject to no-show fees.
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Nov 14, 2023
How do I modify a reservation?
Contact the service provider directly to make changes.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are bookings and reservations only for services?
Primarily, but they can also apply to products in certain contexts.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can reservations be made online?
Yes, for many services, especially restaurants and hotels.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is a reservation needed for popular restaurants?
Often yes, to ensure availability.
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Nov 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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