Poll: When is the best time to snag a cancelled reservation?

[limpy]

I know that there are a lot of you out there that have stalked the reservation system to get a cancelled meal reservation.

In your experiences, when is the best time to catch a released reservation? (how many days out, day of the week, time of day, etc)

 

[carimar]

So far, I've noticed a ton being dropped and added for around 3 weeks after 180. Then it slows down but still periodically changes. Then, from what I hear, closer to the 45 day mark when final payments are due is when res get dropped again.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

My vote goes to one week before the trip. I've been really successful in the days leading up to a trip.

 

[figment_jii]

I think it's a matter of luck if you get a cancellation reservation or not. I've searched for things at all hours of the day and there has been no rhyme or reason to when things come up.

I do agree that things to tend to open up closer to the date of the ADR. If you have something you want, I would check as frequently as you want initially and then really ramp up the checking closer to the date. Things do open up; it's just a matter of luck.

 

[limpy]

It is no doubt a matter of luck. I was wondering whether people have experienced a specific time when more cancellations reemerge.

Thanks for the responses!

 

[tinkerbella16]

I also think it comes down to luck if you get one or not. Closer to the trip you are probably more likely to get what you are looking for, with the cancellation fees. I have been stalking the site for a later Via Napoli ADR on 11/17 and I just happened to look yesterday again and there it was.. after it saying nothing was available except an 8:30pm adr, the perfect time showed up! So I cancelled our original ADR and booked it fast. Just keep trying you never know.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I also think it comes down to luck if you get one or not. Closer to the trip you are probably more likely to get what you are looking for, with the cancellation fees. I have been stalking the site for a later Via Napoli ADR on 11/17 and I just happened to look yesterday again and there it was.. after it saying nothing was available except an 8:30pm adr, the perfect time showed up! So I cancelled our original ADR and booked it fast. Just keep trying you never know.

 

[purple figment]

Because of tthe financial penalty for failing to cancel, there has been an increase in the number of cancellations within a few days of the desired date, but are you willing to wait until the last minute not knowing if you'll be lucky? There's no assurance that if you wait, the cancellations will be for the right number of people at the day and time you want. Cancellations go back into the reservation system almost immediately. They'll show up at any given moment so it's a matter of being online checking just as the cancellation shows up. If it is a reservation you "must" have or one of the hard to get ones then the more you check, the better your chances. If you look only a few times, you only have a few chances to get lucky.