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Operations 1 min read Published 28 May 2026

The booking deposit policy that drops no-shows by 70%

$20 per head, fully redeemable, terms in plain English. The argument against it disappears once you do it.

Every venue we’ve helped move to a $20-per-head deposit policy has seen no-show rates drop by 60–80% inside the first month. The arguments against it always come from staff, never from customers.

The policy that works

  • $20 per head, taken at booking confirmation.
  • Fully redeemable against the bill on arrival.
  • Forfeit at no-show or cancellation within 24 hours.
  • One free reschedule with 24+ hours notice.

The single line on your booking confirmation

“To hold your table we’ve taken a $20-per-head deposit which comes off your bill on arrival. If something changes and you need to cancel, just give us a heads-up by [time] the day before — no problem.”

That tone matters. The deposit is friendly, not punitive.

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