GoWith offers two ways to book a companion: Instant and Scheduled. Both use the same verified companions, the same escrow payment system, and the same rating flow. The difference is entirely about timing — and picking the right mode matters more than most first-time users realise.
This guide compares both, explains the acceptance windows, breaks down when each mode makes sense, and gives you a simple decision tree.
What is an Instant booking?
An Instant booking is a request for a meet within the next 30 minutes. When you open the app and tap the Instant tab, you'll see only companions currently marked live — meaning they're available right now, physically nearby, and ready to accept a request.
The companion has 5 minutes to accept your request. If they don't, the booking auto-cancels and nothing is charged. If they do accept, the meet is locked in and you'll get the exact venue address to head to.
Instant bookings earn companions up to 25% more than scheduled — a small premium for the flexibility of being available on demand.
What is a Scheduled booking?
A Scheduled booking is for any future time. You pick a companion, choose a service, and select a date and time from their published weekly availability. The companion has 12 hours to accept or decline.
Scheduled bookings let companions plan their week around real commitments — which means they can accept longer or more complex bookings (weddings, city tours, all-day events) that wouldn't work as Instant.
Side-by-side comparison
- Timing: Instant = within 30 min. Scheduled = any future date/time on the companion's availability grid.
- Acceptance window: Instant = 5 min. Scheduled = 12 hr.
- Companion earnings: Instant earns up to 25% more per meet.
- Cancellation: Both allow free cancellation before the meet begins, subject to standard cancellation policy.
- Discovery: Instant shows only live companions on the map. Scheduled shows everyone whose availability fits your window.
When to use Instant
Instant is designed for spontaneous moments. Common Instant bookings include: a coffee catch-up when you're already at Starbucks and want company, a walking partner for a Marine Drive evening, or a plus-one for a walk-in event you decided to attend on the drive over.
The 30-minute window keeps things realistic — the companion has to be able to physically reach you, so Instant is naturally limited to companions within a few kilometres.
When to use Scheduled
Scheduled makes sense for anything that requires the companion to prepare, dress, or clear time. Book scheduled for weddings, formal networking events, dinner reservations with a wait list, city tours, gallery openings, and any meet that starts more than 90 minutes from now.
For weddings and formal events, we strongly recommend booking scheduled at least 24–48 hours ahead, so the companion has time to confirm the dress code and read the room.
“In the next 90 minutes? Instant. Tomorrow or beyond? Scheduled. Same day but later? Depends whether the companion is free — check both.”
— The rule of thumb
Common questions
Can I convert an Instant to a Scheduled?
No — but you can cancel the Instant and rebook the same companion as Scheduled if they're still online.
Do companions get penalised for declining?
No. Companions can decline any booking without impact to their profile — the goal is that they only accept what they'll actually show up for.
What happens if the companion doesn't accept in time?
The booking auto-cancels. You're not charged. You'll see other available companions to book instead.