What is Booking deposit?
A booking deposit is a partial payment collected when an appointment is booked, credited toward the service at checkout and forfeited under a disclosed no-show or late-cancellation policy. It converts a reservation from a costless claim on the calendar into a commitment with economics on both sides.
How it works in an aesthetic clinic
A clinic requires a $50 deposit on injectable appointments booked online. The card is charged at booking, the amount applies to the visit total, and the policy (with its 48-hour change window) is shown before payment. No-shows fall because the slot now has a price; consultation slots may stay deposit-free by design.
Booking deposit vs card on file
| Booking deposit | Money collected up front, applied to the service or forfeited per policy |
|---|---|
| Card on file | A stored payment method, charged only when a policy event actually occurs |
Why it matters for clinic operators
Deposits are the single strongest no-show intervention available to a clinic, and clients of premium services accept them as normal. The policy must be automatic and disclosed at booking to stay fair, enforceable, and chargeback-proof.
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