Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

overbooking

Noun
/ˌoʊvərˈbʊkɪŋ/
Definition
The practice of selling more tickets or reservations than the available capacity.
Examples
  • The airline faced criticism for their policy of overbooking flights, which left many passengers stranded.
  • Hotel overbooking can lead to travelers being relocated to other accommodations at the last minute.
  • Restaurants sometimes engage in overbooking to account for guests who may not arrive.
Meaning
Overbooking is used by businesses to compensate for no-shows and cancellations, ensuring maximum occupancy or usage of their services.
Synonyms
  • Exceeding capacity
  • Overcommitment
  • Over-subscription