# Deposit and no-show fee: Definition | NextUp Walk-in

Source: https://nextupwalkin.com/glossary/deposit-and-no-show-fee

> Deposits and no-show fees protect booked time. See how each works, how they differ, and why the policy should be posted before the booking.

[Glossary](https://nextupwalkin.com/glossary)

# Deposit and no-show fee

A deposit is money taken when a booking is made to hold the time, and a no-show fee is a charge if the customer does not come and has not cancelled.

Also called: booking deposit, cancellation fee, card on file

A deposit is taken up front. The customer pays part of the price to confirm a slot, and it is usually applied to the final bill. A no-show fee is taken only if the customer fails to arrive and did not cancel in time. Some businesses use one, some the other, and some require a card on file so a fee is possible.

The reason is simple. An empty chair for a ninety-minute tattoo appointment is lost income that cannot be refilled at the last minute. A deposit lets the business recover some of that, and also filters out casual bookings that were never going to show.

The policy has to be clear before the booking is made. State the amount, the cancellation window and what happens when the customer is late. Surprise charges produce disputes and bad reviews.

## How NextUp Walk-in handles it

On the Pro plan, appointments can require a saved card or a deposit through Stripe Checkout. If the customer does not show, staff choose whether to charge the no-show fee. It is not charged automatically.

[No-show protection](https://nextupwalkin.com/features/no-show-protection)

[No-show policy template](https://nextupwalkin.com/blog/no-show-policy-template)

## Questions

Is a deposit the same as a no-show fee?

No. A deposit is collected at booking and normally counts toward the bill. A no-show fee is charged only when the customer misses the appointment without cancelling.

## Related terms

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