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Changing a reservation in English (advanced)
Advanced English for changing a reservation. Key line: “Hi, is there any chance I could move my reservation up thirty minutes?”
Full script
Lin
Hi, is there any chance I could move my reservation up thirty minutes?
Them
Let me check—what name is it under, and what time were you booked for?
Lin
It's under Lin, for seven thirty; my stomach has clearly clocked in early.
Them
I can do seven if that helps; anything earlier is completely packed tonight.
Lin
Seven actually saves me; otherwise my friend has to pretend she's still commuting.
Them
Then let's lock in seven—same table, same party size, less dramatic starvation.
Lin
Perfect, thanks a lot. If my stomach applauds, I promise we'll keep it quiet.
Them
Deal—if it gets too loud, I'll just say the reservation changed for three.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
polite
✓ Is there any chance I could ...?used to ask softly
softer than Can I
booking
✓ What name is it under?ask whose name the booking is under
very common on restaurant calls
confirm
✓ Let's lock in seven.agree on 7:00
means confirm, not a real lock
number
✓ party sizenumber of people eating
in restaurants, the number in your group
Quick answers
polite: what to say in English
Say “Is there any chance I could ...?” — used to ask softly. softer than Can I.
booking: what to say in English
Say “What name is it under?” — ask whose name the booking is under. very common on restaurant calls.
confirm: what to say in English
Say “Let's lock in seven.” — agree on 7:00. means confirm, not a real lock.
number: what to say in English
Say “party size” — number of people eating. in restaurants, the number in your group.