# Late arrival grace period: Definition | NextUp Walk-in

Source: https://nextupwalkin.com/glossary/late-arrival-grace-period

> A late arrival grace period is how long you hold a spot for a late customer. See typical windows and how it ties to no-show handling.

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

# Late arrival grace period

A late arrival grace period is the short window a business waits for a called or booked customer before treating them as a no-show and moving on.

Also called: grace window, late policy, running late allowance

Customers get stuck in traffic and walk-in lines move faster than expected. A grace period is the agreed buffer for that. Fifteen minutes is common for an appointment, and a shorter window, perhaps five to ten minutes, is typical when a walk-in has already been called to the chair.

The period needs an end and a consequence. When it runs out, the shop gives the place to the next person. If the customer arrives afterward, they either rejoin the line or reschedule. Saying so in advance avoids arguments at the counter.

Grace should also respond to communication. A customer who says they are five minutes away is in a different position than one who has gone silent, and most shops treat them differently.

## How NextUp Walk-in handles it

The no-show timer is off until you turn it on, with choices of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 minutes after a call. If a customer answers on my way with 2, 5 or 10 minutes, the clock counts from when they said they would arrive. Staff can tap Not here yet to leave someone alone.

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

[Reduce no-shows in a walk-in business](https://nextupwalkin.com/blog/how-to-reduce-no-shows-in-a-walk-in-business)

## Questions

How long should a grace period be?

Common choices run from 5 to 15 minutes. Shorter fits a customer who has just been called, and longer fits a scheduled booking. Pick one, post it, and apply it evenly.

## Related terms

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