What is the difference between Instant confirmation vs Request to book?
Property InformationProperties on OutReserve take bookings in one of two ways: Instant Book (instant confirmation) or Request to Book. Here's how each one works, so you know what to expect before you reserve.
The difference at a glance
| Instant Book | Request to Book | |
|---|---|---|
| When your stay is confirmed | Right away, when you complete checkout | After the property accepts and you pay |
| When you pay | At checkout | After acceptance, through a payment link we email you |
| Charged when you submit? | Yes, at checkout | No. Nothing is charged or held when you send a request |
| How long you wait | No wait | The property has up to 48 hours to accept or decline |
How Instant Book works
- Choose your dates and site, then select Reserve This Site.
- Sign in or create a free account.
- Pay at checkout.
Your booking is confirmed as soon as checkout is complete.
How Request to Book works
- Send your request. Choose your dates and site, select Reserve This Site, and submit your request. Nothing is charged at this step, and no hold is placed on your card.
- The property reviews it. The property has up to 48 hours to accept or decline.
- You get a payment link. If the property accepts, we email you a link to pay.
- Pay to confirm. Your stay is confirmed once you complete the payment.
If the property declines, you're not charged anything. If they don't respond within 48 hours, your request expires automatically, and you're not charged then either. You can pick another stay, or set an availability alert and we'll let you know when something opens up.
What a "declined" email means
A declined email means the property couldn't accept that request. You haven't been charged, and there's nothing you need to cancel.
From there, you can:
- Try different dates or another site at the same property
- Look for a similar stay nearby
- Create an availability alert for your dates
If you're not sure why a request was declined, contact us and we'll help you look into it.
How to tell which type a listing uses
- Look for the green Instant Book badge. Instant Book properties show a green Instant Book badge with a lightning bolt icon on their listing card, and "Instant Book" in the search results list.
- Filter your search. Open Search Filters and use Booking Method to show only Instant Book or only Request to Book properties.
Properties without the Instant Book badge don't confirm instantly. The Reserve This Site button looks the same for both types, so use the badge or the filter to check before you book.
Now and then, one site at an Instant Book property is booked as a request instead. In that case the Request to Book steps above apply, and you won't be charged unless the property accepts.
Which one should you choose?
- Need a firm answer right away? Filter for Instant Book.
- Flexible on timing? Request to Book opens up more places to stay, and you still won't pay anything unless the property accepts.