Can you take deposits on Reserve with Google?
Yes, but not directly through Google.
Reserve with Google does not process payments or handle deposits itself. Instead, it passes bookings into your restaurant’s booking system, where deposit rules are applied.
This means whether you can take deposits on Google bookings depends entirely on your booking provider.
Need to know how to set up Reserve with Google? Click here for more information.
How deposits work with Reserve with Google
When a diner books through Google Search or Google Maps:
- They click “Reserve a table”
- They select a time based on live availability
- The booking is passed into your booking system
- Your system applies any deposit or card authentication rules
If a deposit is required, the diner will be prompted during the booking process before confirmation.
There is no separate Google payment system, everything is controlled by your booking platform.
Why deposits matter for Google bookings
Reserve with Google is designed to capture high-intent, often last-minute bookings.
That creates opportunity, but also risk.
Without deposits or card authentication, restaurants may see:
- Higher no-show rates
- Last-minute cancellations
- Reduced table yield during peak times
Deposits help protect against this by adding commitment at the point of booking.
For many restaurants, especially at busy times, deposits are now a standard part of managing demand.
Do all booking systems support deposits on Google bookings?
No, and this is where the differences between providers become important.
Some booking systems:
- Allow deposits on direct website bookings
- But restrict or limit deposits on Google bookings
- Or require higher-tier plans or add-ons
Others treat Google bookings the same as any other booking.
Deposits & Reserve with Google by booking system
| Booking system | Deposits on Google bookings | Notes |
| Sugarvine Tables | Yes | Included as standard |
| OpenTable | Limited | Often restricted to premium features or specific booking types |
| ResDiary | Yes | May require add-ons or configuration |
| SevenRooms | Yes | Typically available on higher-tier plans |
| Quandoo | Limited | Not always consistent across channels |
| TheFork | Limited | Varies by region and setup |
| resmio | No | Deposits not typically supported via Google bookings |
| resOS | No | Deposits limited to direct booking channels |
| Guestplan | No | Deposits not available through Google integration |
Yes = deposits apply consistently across booking channels
Limited = deposits may not apply to all booking sources (including Google)
No = deposits not supported for Google bookings
Common issues with deposits on Google bookings
Why are deposits not showing on Google bookings?
In most cases, this is not a Google issue – it comes down to how your booking system is configured.
Reserve with Google simply passes bookings into your system. If deposits are not appearing, it is usually because of the rules set within your platform.
Do deposits apply to all booking sources?
Not always.
Some booking systems treat Google bookings differently from website bookings. This can result in deposits being applied on your website, but not on bookings coming through Google.
Can minimum cover settings affect deposits?
Yes.
If your deposit rules are set to apply only above a certain number of guests, smaller bookings made through Google may bypass the deposit requirement entirely.
Can time-based rules block deposits?
Yes.
Deposits are often tied to specific time slots (e.g. evenings or weekends). If those rules are too restrictive, Google may show availability without requiring a deposit.
Why do some time slots show without deposits?
This usually comes down to availability and booking rules.
If a time slot falls outside your deposit conditions — or if rules are inconsistently applied — diners may be able to book without any commitment.
What if deposits are not supported on Google at all?
In some cases, the issue is not configuration – it is the booking system itself.
Not all providers support deposits through their Google integration. If that is the case, deposits will never appear for Google bookings, regardless of your settings until you either switch booking system providers or you booking system rolls it out on their system.
Best practice: when to use deposits
Deposits are most effective when used strategically, not universally.
Common use cases include:
- Friday and Saturday evenings
- Large group bookings
- Peak seasonal periods (Christmas, events)
- High-demand restaurants
Overusing deposits can reduce conversion, while underusing them can increase no-shows.
The goal is balance – protecting revenue without adding unnecessary friction.
Read more about the pros & cons of deposits here.
Sugarvine Tables & deposits on Google bookings
With Sugarvine Tables, deposits apply consistently across all booking channels – including Reserve with Google.
There are:
- No add-ons required
- No premium tiers
- No restrictions based on booking source
If a deposit rule is active, it applies whether the booking comes from:
- Your website
- Google Search
- Google Maps
This ensures a consistent experience for both the restaurant and the diner.
Key takeaway
Reserve with Google does not manage deposits – your booking system does.
If deposits are an important part of how you manage your restaurant, it is essential to choose a system that supports them properly across all channels.