A waitlist lets customers express interest when a class session is full. Joining the list is not a confirmed booking. What happens when a place opens depends on the Waitlist mode you choose.
Enable waitlists#
Go to Admin > Settings > Booking > Waitlist and turn on Enable waitlist. Then review Waitlist mode, Waitlist size limit, Offer expiry (minutes) and Cutoff before class (minutes). The expiry is for a Double opt-in offer; the cutoff stops new offers near class start. The Class booking window also governs when people can join or be promoted. Class minimum notice defaults to 2 hours before class start, while Class booking horizon defaults to No limit. The earlier closing limit applies; an offer ends by the class notice boundary even when its normal expiry would be later.
Waitlist modes#
Double opt-in#
The next eligible person can be offered the place and must confirm within the offer window. If the offer expires, another person may be offered the place. Customers choose a valid booking method before joining in this mode. An offer is not a booking until it is confirmed. If the class booking window changes while an offer is open, confirmation may close and the customer remains on the waiting list for a later eligible promotion.
Auto-add#
The next eligible person can be booked when a place opens. Customers choose a valid booking method before joining because this mode may book them without another confirmation step. Check the terms you show customers before using it.
Notify all#
People on the waitlist can be notified together. The first person who completes a booking gets the place. Customers can join this mode without selecting a booking method, but they still need an eligible way to book when a place becomes available.
How customers experience it#
On a full, published class session with waitlists available, a signed-in customer can see Join waitlist. In Double opt-in and Auto-add, they must select a booking method first; if they have none, the page offers View packages. A customer on the list can see Leave waitlist on the class page. The visible options depend on the class, waitlist cutoff, class booking window, capacity and mode.
Closing bookings on a class#
Closing bookings on one session blocks new bookings and waitlist joins for that session. See Closing bookings on a class before using the control.
Notifications#
The selected mode determines whether a customer is offered a place, added to a booking, or invited to book. Check the actual customer notification and booking result when setting up a time-sensitive waitlist. A configured channel is not proof that a message was delivered.
Best practices for studios#
Choose the mode before you promote a class. Explain whether customers must confirm an offer, may be booked automatically, or will compete for the next place. Set an offer window and cutoff that give people time to respond, and check them against the class minimum notice.
Troubleshooting#
Join waitlist is missing: Check that waitlists are enabled, the class session is full and published, bookings are open, the waitlist has room, the cutoff has not passed, and the class booking window is open.
A customer cannot join: In Double opt-in or Auto-add, check that they are signed in and have a booking method that applies to this class. In Notify all, a method is not required just to join.
An open place has not become a booking: Check the selected mode and whether an offer still needs customer confirmation. Inspect the session's current bookings and waitlist rather than assuming a notification completed the booking.