---
title: What Waitlist settings work for my event?
description: Which waitlist settings should I adopt for my event?
---
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# What Waitlist settings work for my event?
#### Which Waitlist setting works best for me?
###### 1. Maximize Reservations
**Best for:** Automatically keeping events as full as possible.
**Available for Billing Type:** FCFS
**How it works:**
- Customers can make reservations while space is available.
- When the event becomes full, customers can join the waitlist.
- **If a spot opens** due to a cancellation or capacity increase, Approach **automatically** moves the next eligible person from the waitlist into a reservation. Based on the amount of time set in the Waitlist settings.
**This Customer Portal experience (when Public or Private via link)**
- There is an available spot → **Customer can Reserve/Purchase a Ticket**
- Full event → **Customer will see SOLD OUT and be prompted to join Waitlist**
- Open spot later → Approach automatically fills it from the existing waitlist
###### 2. Reservations Until Full
**Best for:** Staff who want more control over waitlist movement.
**Available for Billing Types:** FCFS, Ticketed, and Multi-day Ticketed
**How it works:**
- Customers can make reservations until capacity is reached.
- Once full, customers can join the waitlist.
- **Open spots are not automatically filled.**
- Staff can manually promote customers from the waitlist at any time.
**This Customer Portal experience (when Public or Private via link)**
- There is an available spot → **Customer can Reserve/Purchase a Ticket**
- Full event → **Customer will see SOLD OUT and be prompted to Join Waitlist**
- Open spot later → Staff manages the waitlist, and can invite those customers
###### 3. Join Waitlist Only
**Best for:** Events where staff want to control all reservations and tickets. Managers who want to gauge interest in a new Event. A "pre-sale" promotion for an Event.
**Available for Billing Types:** FCFS, Ticketed, and Multi-day Ticketed
**How it works:**
- Customers **cannot reserve** directly through the portal, even if spots are available.
- Customers can **only** join the waitlist.
- Staff manually decide who receives available spots.
**This Customer Portal experience (when Public or Private via link)**
- Always sees **Join Waitlist** on the Poral
- No direct reservations through the Portal
When the **cut off time** on the Booking has hit, no customer can make a reservation/purchase a ticket OR join the waitlist on the Portal since the Booking should no longer be available for Portal use.
#### Quick Comparison
| Mode | Reservations Allowed? | Waitlist Available? | Automatic Promotion? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Maximize Reservations** | Yes | Yes, when full | Yes (default) |
| **Reservations Until Full** | Yes, until full | Yes | None |
| **Join Waitlist Only** | No | Yes | None |
###### Benefits
- Helps maximize event attendance.
- Reduces manual tracking for staff.
- Gives customers a clear way to join full events.
- Provides flexible automation and waitlist management options.
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