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How can I add a private booking option for a special event when the restaurant is closed?
How can I add a private booking option for a special event when the restaurant is closed?

Use the private booking option link to allow bookings outside of your public booking widget.

C
Written by Chelsea
Updated over a week ago

simpleERB's private booking options and payment features combined are very useful to assist in managing bookings for a special ticketed event or a large function party.

In Booking Options we have the option to select an offer to be private, which means the offer is only bookable by a customer who has the booking offer link.

We offer for every booking option two different booking links;

  • Link box one - allows the private booking option to be booked within the online widgets' live availability alongside normal options and table bookings.

  • Link box two - allows the private booking option to be booked through the widget even if the online availability is closed out.

In the example below, a private booking option has been created for a special ticketed event. The second link that is highlighted in a purple square, is the booking link to be passed to customers for this special event that is booked outside of your normal widget availability.

You could use the link on your website or email within an email marketing campaign.

This second booking option link will override any widget closeouts you have in place to allow the customer to complete the booking as normal, with any payment/card capture rules you have in place for that specific offer.

As you can see from the example booking images below for the special event booking, the customer is still able to use the link to complete a booking even though the widget is closed out.

You will, however, need to ensure your Diary does have an available time slot for the bookings to be added to. This may require changes to your settings, such as a Partial Open Day, to override and open the booking time slot that differs from your normal available time slots.

Important note:
If you are creating a Booking Option for a ticketed event with a set overall cover allocation, please note the Booking Option can only be used once. This is due to the cover allocation being locked to the Booking Option and once reached, it can no longer be booked, even if additional future availability is added.

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