While reservations at restaurants are helpful for guests, they can cause the restaurant itself to lose profits, since walk-in customers may be turned away for customers who might not even show up for their reservation. This is why reservation apps like OpenTable have certain policies you'll want to know before you book a table.

According to OpenTable, you become a no-show customer if you don't show up to the restaurant for your reservation, you're more than 15 minutes late, or you call to cancel within a 24-hour or 48-hour period. If you accumulate four no-shows over 12 months, your account will be suspended, per OpenTable's Terms of Use.

Canceling your reservation in advance is better than being a no-show, but this may incur a cancellation fee depending on the restaurant. You may need to supply credit card info to make your reservation so that the restaurant can charge you if you cancel, so always review a place's no-show and cancellation policies before booking a table..