Credit Card required to make reservation - What would you do

[Robin Garr]

Almost never have to do this at White Castle

If White Castle ever calls and wants to know my credit card number, I'm hangin' up.

If White Castle ever calls and wants to know my credit card number, I'm hangin' up

Restaurants that use the Opentable reservation system securely store any CC info in what is called "opentable vault" which only the managers have the password to. It is a program that is built into the software for both consumer and restaurant security. The information is automatically deleted by the system after the day of the reservation.

We often take a CC number for big nights like NYE and Derby to try and discourage people from doing what Jeremy mentioned and making reservations all over town that they don't intend to keep. We rarely charge anyone. The only time I can remember was a few Derbys ago when there was a reservation for 20 ppl and we held the tables all night waiting for the people and they never showed. Even in that situation I was hesitant to charge them, however they called several times saying "don't give away our table, we're on the way!" We held it all night, they never showed, and they eventually stopped answering their phone rather than just cancelling. We charged their card.

The best way to approach the situation for me has always been to make the policy very clear up front. If you have questions about the restaurant's policy or security ask them up front and then show up OR call to cancel your rez if you aren't going to make it. No big deal.

Totally, and seriously I've almost never charged, but the times I have it was totally warranted. The policy seems to end up good for both sides. It's effective, yet fair. I would never let a person's cc info fall into the wrong hands.

The best way to approach the situation for me has always been to make the policy very clear up front. If you have questions about the restaurant's policy or security ask them up front and then show up OR call to cancel your rez if you aren't going to make it. No big deal.

Right on the money !

We always tell the guests that we will be calling to confirm reservations within 24 to 48 hours of the day the reservation is made on, just another reminder !
I think everyone in the business on this forum has been affected by reservations not showing up, bottom line it protects the operations of the restaurant when it comes to income, staffing levels, gratuity, etc.

Why is this even necessary, at holiday times the demand is high and seats are limited, if the reservation gets canceled there are plenty of people waiting to fill the empty tables. This just alienates the customers, not a good sales ploy.

.

????
Unfortunately when you tell customers that you are full on a holiday seating, odds are pretty good that they are not just going to show up for the possibility of no-shows.

Why is this even necessary, at holiday times the demand is high and seats are limited, if the reservation gets canceled there are plenty of people waiting to fill the empty tables. This just alienates the customers, not a good sales ploy.

Guss,

For holiday seatings, most places will turn-away guests in advance if they've already reached capacity ( at least that's what the good ones do.) If I'm trying to make a reservation for T-day, Mother's Day, etc, I'm calling substantially in advance. Thus if the place takes a reservation, and I call after they are full, I'll end up going somwhere else for my reservation- I don't call again that day to see if there are no-shows. In Gary's example- which is real- the restaurant's left with 25% empty seats and 25% less revenue ( with 25% more perishable food), when the reservations are no-shows.

Deb

Hall,

I give up, but I'm still not giving them my number...

Gary

Hall,

I give up, but I'm still not giving them my number...

Gary

Gary,

I'd be a little leery too. Just trying to explain why the restaurants need to do this sometimes.

Deb.

Almost never have to do this at White Castle

Or Steak 'n Shake...where we ended up last year

We have better plans this year, and if the sink wants to back up this year I won't be around to care!

Oh yeah... we did have to give card info for our reservations, but it was with a place we've been numerous times and it's done online...if I could be guaranteed that I'd have my regular server I'd even pay for the meal in advance! Reminds me I need to call and see if she is scheduled!