---
title: Waitlists - FAQ
description: FAQ for the Waitlist feature
---
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# Waitlists - FAQ
If I **Duplicate** or **Reschedule**, what will happen to the waitlist?
- The waitlist *settings* will keep to the rescheduled Event. However, the customers within the waitlist will not remain on the duplicate event, but will when rescheduled.
What can I use **waitlists** for?
- Waitlists have many uses! You can gauge interest for an event if unsure whether to implement it. It can be used for large events to organize participants. Waitlists can also help with staffing decisions based on events.
Where can I **configure** waitlist settings?
- After event creation, waitlist settings can be found in a dedicated Waitlist Settings tab at both:
- Event level (For FCFS, Multi-day Ticketed, and Ticketed)
- Booking level (Not for Multi-day)
What can I use a **Private** booking for?
- Private Bookings are only available for customers via a private link shared via the main app. An example could be a private ticketed booking for a scout troop where just that troop number has access to the link to book a ticket.
- These links are found in the top right corner of the Booking, or Event, if Multi-day Ticketed via **"Get Portal Link."**
Who can join a **FCFS** waitlist?
- Customers must meet the selected requirement before joining. Users can restrict eligibility using:
- Memberships & Passes
- Memberships Only
- Passes Only
Is a **pass** **consumed** when joining a waitlist?
- No. Passes are only consumed when the customer is promoted to a confirmed reservation.
Can customers join a waitlist on behalf of **household** members?
- Yes, if the existing FCFS household reservation rules support it.
Can customers leave a **waitlist**?
- Yes. Customers can leave the waitlist from the Portal at any time.
What happens when a customer leaves the **waitlist**?
- Their waitlist position is removed
- No reservation is created
- No pass is consumed
What is **automatic promotion**?
- Automatic promotion automatically moves eligible waitlisted customers into available reservation spots.
Can I stop **automatic promotions** before an event starts?
- Yes. Managers can configure a cutoff period that stops automatic promotions before the event begins.
What happens if a waitlist customer is no longer **eligible**?
- If a waitlisted customer no longer meets the active eligibility requirements:
1. They are not promoted,
2. They are removed from the waitlist,
3. They receive a notification email,
4. The system continues evaluating the next eligible customer.
Do customers need to **purchase a ticket** before joining the waitlist?
- No. Customers can join the waitlist without purchasing a ticket.
Can access to a ticketed **waitlist** be restricted to members?
- Yes. Managers can enable **Limit Waitlist Availability to Members**.
Can ticket **purchasing** be restricted to members?
- Yes. Managers can enable **Limit Ticket Purchases to Members**.
Can **Invite All** be canceled?
- No. Once sent, **Invite All** emails cannot be canceled.
Can customers with **shared memberships** use the waitlist?
- Yes. Shared memberships are treated the same as individual memberships and are fully supported by the waitlist.
Can customers join a **waitlist** right up until an event starts?
- Yes. Customers can join the waitlist until reservations are no longer available for the event. There is no separate cutoff specifically for joining the waitlist.
Can customers see how many people are on the **waitlist** or their position in line?
- No. Customers will only see that they are on the waitlist. However, in the email confirmation they will be notified of their spot.
What happens if a customer receives a waitlist invitation but their payment **fails**?
- They can return to the invitation email and try again later. The invitation link remains active unless spots fill before they open the link.
Does the **waitlist** **invitation** use the normal ticket purchasing process?
- Yes. Customers go through the standard checkout flow, including accepting any terms and conditions and meeting any event requirements.
Are **age restrictions** still enforced when purchasing a ticket through a waitlist invitation? (if 'Enforce Age Restrictions in the Portal' is applied to the event)
- Yes. Existing age restriction rules remain in place, and customers must meet the age requirements before completing their purchase.
What happens if a customer joins the **waitlist** but later no longer meets the event requirements?
- Any promotion from the waitlist (to the guest list) will fail, and the customer will be notified that they no longer qualify.
What happens if event capacity is **reduced** after **invitations** have already been **sent**?
- Customers may still access their invitation link, but if the event is full, they will not be able to complete the purchase and will receive the standard **"event full"** message.
What happens if more customers are **invited** than there are available **spots**?
- The remaining spots are filled on a first come, first served basis (whether they are Ticketed, FCFS, or Multi-day). Once all spots are claimed, any additional customers attempting to purchase will be notified that the event is full.
Do customers need a specific **membership type** to join a members-only waitlist?
- No. Any active qualifying membership can be used, including shared memberships.
Can gyms customize waitlist-related emails if they use a custom **Postmark** email server?
- Yes. Waitlist email templates are expected to be customizable in the same way as other system emails.
Does being on a waitlist grant access through **Authenticate** or door access systems?
- No. Customers only receive access once they successfully obtain a reservation or ticket. Being on the waitlist alone does not grant entry.
What does the **"Live Portal Status"** indicate?
- It reflects exactly what customers currently see in the portal, such as **"Book Now" or "Join Waitlist."**
If I have a custom Postmark Server, do I need to take action for Waitlist emails?
- Yes. We have a new email template you can utilize. This is added to your custom Postmark Server and can be edited.
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