Instant confirmation vs Request to book

A listing either confirms instantly or asks the operator to accept first. Both lead to the same secure checkout. The difference is when your booking is confirmed.

Until you add your trip, the button says Check availability. If the listing is not free at your time, it says Change dates.

Instant confirmation

The listing says Instant confirmation, and the button says Reserve. You are booked as soon as payment clears. You see You're booked, and the trip appears in Trips straight away. You then verify your identity by the deadline in the app.

Use it when your plans are fixed and you want certainty.

Request to book

The operator reviews your request before it is confirmed. This is common for longer or more complex trips. Charter flights always need the operator to confirm the aircraft and crew. On a car the button says Request to book. On a boat or jet it says Reserve, and the listing tells you it is a request.

1. Complete checkout as normal. You pay now.
2. You see Request sent, and the trip shows Waiting for operator.
3. The operator accepts or declines within 12 hours from your request, or by 2 hours before the scheduled start if that is sooner. The exact deadline is shown in the app.
4. If they accept, you see Booking confirmed and get a notification.
5. If they decline or do not respond in time, the request lapses and you get a full refund automatically. It goes back to your original payment method within 5 business days of Pickup sending it, and your bank may take longer. See the Cancellation and Refund Policy.

None of your payment goes to the operator while you wait. The operator is paid 1 hour after your trip ends (for a jet, 1 hour after landing) if you have not reported a problem. See How your payment is held until your trip.

While you wait

• Message the operator from Messages if you have questions.
• Tap Withdraw request on the trip if you change your mind. Your payment is released in full.
• Avoid making a second request for the same time unless you are happy to cancel one.
• Check your notifications are switched on so you do not miss the reply.

Need to make changes?

Once confirmed, you can view, change or cancel the booking from Trips, subject to your cancellation option. See How to change a booking.