overbook

verb (used with object)

to accept reservations for in excess of the number that can be accommodated: The airline routinely overbooks its flights so as to fill its planes even if there are last-minute cancellations.

verb (used without object)

to accept reservations in excess of the number that can be accommodated: If the hotel has overbooked, some of the conventioners won’t have a place to stay.

verb

(tr) to make more reservations than there are places, tickets, hotel rooms, etc, available

v.“to sell more tickets than there are seats,” 1903, from over- + book (v.); originally in reference to theaters. Related: Overbooked; overbooking.