The Complete OpenTable Guide: Regulars, Notify Me & How to Get a Table

OpenTable is the world's largest restaurant reservation platform, with over 60,000 restaurants across the globe. If you're trying to book at fine dining institutions like The French Laundry, Per Se, or Alinea, you'll almost certainly be using OpenTable.

But most diners barely scratch the surface. Between the revamped Regulars loyalty program, Gold status perks, Visa Dining Collection exclusives, and Notify Me alerts, there's a lot more to OpenTable than just searching and booking. This guide covers everything.

What Is OpenTable?

History and Scale

Founded in 1998, OpenTable pioneered online restaurant reservations. Today it's the largest platform of its kind, powering bookings at over 60,000 restaurants compared to Resy's roughly 25,000. If a restaurant has been around for decades and takes reservations online, there's a good chance it's on OpenTable.

Which Restaurants Use OpenTable?

OpenTable has the broadest range of any reservation platform:

• Fine dining institutions: The French Laundry, Per Se, Le Bernardin, Alinea
• Classic steakhouses: Peter Luger, Keens, CUT by Wolfgang Puck
• Michelin-starred restaurants: Strong representation across NYC, Chicago, SF, and LA
• Neighborhood favorites: Far broader casual coverage than any other platform

OpenTable vs. Other Platforms

Want a deeper comparison? See our full Resy vs OpenTable guide.

Setting Up Your OpenTable Account

Profile Optimization

A well-configured OpenTable profile helps you earn points faster and access premium features. Here's what to set up:

• Complete your profile: Add your phone number, dining preferences, and any dietary restrictions
• Enable push notifications: Critical for Notify Me alerts—push is faster than email
• Add a payment method: Required for Visa Dining Collection and some restaurant deposits
• Download the app: Notifications and Notify Me work best through the mobile app

Linking Credit Cards

Adding credit cards to your OpenTable wallet unlocks features beyond basic booking:

• Visa Dining Collection: Link a Visa Infinite card (like Capital One Venture X) for exclusive tables
• Capital One Dining: Capital One cardholders get access to premium reservations at 300+ restaurants
• No-show protection: Some restaurants require a card on file and charge fees for missed reservations

OpenTable Regulars & Points

How Points Work

OpenTable Regulars is a free loyalty program that rewards you for dining out. Every honored reservation earns points, and select restaurants offer bonus points to attract diners.

Gold Status

Complete six reservations within 12 months and you'll earn Gold status, which lasts for a year. Gold is worth pursuing for one key perk:

• Priority Notify Me: Gold members get alerted to last-minute openings before standard users
• Uber One membership: New Gold members in select markets get six months of free Uber One

Pro tip: Six reservations is a low bar. If you dine out regularly, you likely qualify already. Check your status in the OpenTable app under the loyalty hub.

Points Expiry

Points expire if your account is inactive for 12 months. As long as you make at least one reservation per year, your points are safe.

Mastering Notify Me

How Notify Me Works

When your preferred time isn't available, look for the blue "Notify Me" button on the restaurant page. Tap it, and OpenTable will send a push notification straight to your phone when that time slot opens up.

Notify Me Limitations

Notify Me is helpful but has real drawbacks:

• Batched alerts: Notifications aren't instant—they're sent in batches, and by the time you see it, the table may be gone
• Limited targeting: You can't specify exact party sizes or date ranges—just a general time window
• One platform only: Only covers OpenTable—if the restaurant is also on Resy or Tock, you're missing cancellations there

Why Third-Party Alerts Are Faster

Services like ReservationFinder continuously monitor OpenTable restaurants and alert you within seconds of a cancellation. Compared to Notify Me:

• Continuous monitoring: We check far more frequently than OpenTable's batched system
• Specific targeting: Set your exact dates, times, and party size
• Direct booking link: One tap to go straight to the OpenTable booking page
• Multi-platform: Monitor Resy, Tock, and SevenRooms alongside OpenTable

Credit Card Dining Perks

Visa Dining Collection

The Visa Dining Collection is OpenTable's most powerful hidden feature. If you hold an eligible Visa Infinite card, you can access exclusive prime-time reservations at restaurants that show as fully booked for everyone else.

• 800+ restaurants across 26 U.S. metros, plus Mexico and Canada
• No additional fee—just add your Visa Infinite card to your OpenTable wallet
• Prime-time tables held for Visa Infinite members until shortly before service

Which Cards Qualify?

• Important: The Capital One Venture (Visa Signature) does not qualify for Visa Dining Collection—only Visa Infinite cards like the Venture X

For Resy-side credit card perks (American Express dining credits and Priority Notify), see our AmEx Resy Credit Guide.

Power Tips for Getting OpenTable Tables

Know When Reservations Release

Most OpenTable restaurants release new reservations 14–30 days in advance, typically at midnight or between 9–10 AM local time. If you know the exact release window, you can be ready to book the moment tables appear.

• 1. Research the release schedule: Check the restaurant's website or call to ask when new dates open
• 2. Set a reminder: If tables drop at midnight, be logged in and ready at 11:59 PM
• 3. Have your details ready: Party size selected, date chosen, payment method saved
• 4. Book immediately: Don't browse—grab the first acceptable time and adjust later if needed

Book Off-Peak Times

The 7:00–8:00 PM window is always the first to fill. Try these alternatives:

• Early bird: 5:00–5:30 PM slots are often available even at popular spots
• Late dining: 9:30 PM+ can open up, especially midweek
• Odd times: Try 5:15 PM or 8:45 PM—slight offsets from round numbers often have availability

Try Bar and Counter Seating

Many restaurants offer bar or counter seating as a separate reservation type on OpenTable. These tables are often easier to book and still give you the full menu experience.

Watch for Cancellation Patterns

Cancellations don't happen randomly. Tuesday through Thursday are the best days to find weekend cancellations, as diners finalize plans mid-week. Late afternoon is another prime window when same-day cancellations tend to appear.

Use Both Platforms

Restaurants typically partner exclusively with one platform. That trendy Italian spot might be Resy-only while the fine dining steakhouse uses OpenTable. For the best odds, monitor both platforms. A service like ReservationFinder lets you track OpenTable, Resy, Tock, and SevenRooms in one place.

Top OpenTable Restaurants Worth the Hunt

Common OpenTable Mistakes to Avoid

• Not earning Gold: Six reservations is easy to hit—don't miss out on Priority Notify Me
• Ignoring Visa Dining Collection: If you have a Visa Infinite card, you're leaving exclusive tables on the table
• Only checking one platform: The restaurant you want might also have availability through Resy or Tock
• Letting points expire: Make at least one reservation per year to keep your points active
• Relying only on Notify Me: It's slow and batched—combine with third-party alerts for the best chance

Start Getting OpenTable Reservations

OpenTable's combination of the largest restaurant network, a genuine loyalty program, and credit card dining perks makes it indispensable for serious diners. But for the most competitive tables, Notify Me alone isn't enough.

By combining Gold status, Visa Dining Collection access, strategic timing, and a third-party alert service like ReservationFinder, you'll dramatically increase your chances of landing those impossible reservations.