GoWith offers two ways to book an activity partner: Instant and Scheduled. Both use the same verified activity partners, 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 activity partners currently marked live — meaning they're available right now, physically nearby, and ready to accept a request.
The activity partner 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 activity partners 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 an activity partner, choose a service, and select a date and time from their published weekly availability. The activity partner has 12 hours to accept or decline.
Scheduled bookings let activity partners 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 activity partner's availability grid.
- Acceptance window: Instant = 5 min. Scheduled = 12 hr.
- Activity partner 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 activity partners 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 activity partner has to be able to physically reach you, so Instant is naturally limited to activity partners within a few kilometres.
When to use Scheduled
Scheduled makes sense for anything that requires the activity partner 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 activity partner 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 activity partner 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 activity partner as Scheduled if they're still online.
Do activity partners get penalised for declining?
No. Activity partners 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 activity partner doesn't accept in time?
The booking auto-cancels. Any amount you paid is refunded in full to the source account within 3–5 working days. You'll see other available activity partners to book instead.