In this article, you’ll learn what a booking type is, why it matters, and how it’s used within Stampede to organise and control how guests make reservations.You’ll also see how booking types connect with other features such as special dates, payments, and service hours.
What Is a Booking Type
A booking type defines the kind of booking a guest can make at your venue.
It acts as a category that determines how that reservation behaves — including when it’s available, how long it lasts, what tables it uses, and whether a deposit or cancellation policy applies.
For example, you might create:
Restaurant dining for everyday meal bookings
Drinks only for bar reservations
Afternoon tea for daytime service
Special events for one-off occasions like Valentine’s Day or Christmas
Each booking type can have its own availability, pricing, and communication settings, giving you control over every kind of reservation.
Why Booking Types Matter
Booking types let you customise your booking system so it matches how your venue operates. They help you:
Offer different experiences, such as dining or drinks
Control booking length and capacity
Apply deposits or cancellation charges only where needed
Send the right confirmation and reminder messages
Keep your table planner organised and easy to manage
With multiple booking types, you can handle everything from standard bookings to ticketed events, all from the same dashboard.
How Booking Types Work With Other Features
Special Dates
Booking types and special dates can be implemented together.
For example, if you want to create a one-off event, such as New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Dinner, you can use a booking type and link it to a special date.
The special date overrides the normal service hours, allowing bookings only for that event.
Tip: You can reuse the same special events booking type for multiple dates throughout the year.
Payments and Policies
Each booking type can have its own payment rules.
For example, you might:
Take deposits for large party bookings
Apply cancellation fees for premium events
Keep regular bookings free of charge
Guest Communications
You can customise confirmation and reminder messages for each booking type.
This means guests booking for drinks only will see different messages from those booking a dinner.Service Hours and Table Assignments
Service hours define when a booking type is available.
For example, if your lunch type ends at 3 pm and each booking lasts two hours, the last available booking time should be 1 pm.
You can also assign specific tables or areas to each booking type. This helps separate bar, restaurant, or event areas and keeps your planner organised.
Example: Everyday Booking Types in Action
Booking Type |
Purpose |
Example Use |
|---|---|---|
Dining |
Standard restaurant bookings |
Everyday service |
Drinks only |
Bar or lounge reservations |
After-work drinks |
Afternoon tea |
Midday service with set menu |
Tea or light bites |
Special events |
One-off dates with deposits |
Valentine’s, Christmas, Tastings |
Summary
A booking type is the foundation of your booking setup in Stampede.
It determines how guests book, what rules apply, and how your team manages capacity.
Once you’ve created your booking types, you can refine them in booking type settings to control party sizes, time buffers, deposits, and more.