This briefing is based on official announcements, vendor documentation, and news reports — we did not test these tools hands-on.
Two things happened this week that beginners should notice. First, ChatGPT can now book restaurant reservations directly inside the chat through OpenTable, Resy, and Yelp — no app switching needed, and it works across all ChatGPT plans except ChatGPT Work. Second, OpenAI previewed “Ultrafast,” a new mode that runs its top model up to 14x faster, but it is only available to a handful of business customers for now, not the public.
Can ChatGPT book restaurant reservations?
Yes, ChatGPT can book restaurant reservations inside the chat, and this feature began rolling out on August 10, 2026, according to the official release notes OpenAI.
How does ChatGPT restaurant booking work?
You tell ChatGPT where and when you want to eat, your party size, and any preferences like outdoor seating. It returns available times inline, lets you refine the results, and you pick a slot. After you confirm, the booking provider — not OpenAI — sends the reservation confirmation and handles any changes or cancellations Resy.
Which apps and countries are covered?
ChatGPT restaurant booking works through three partners: OpenTable globally, Resy in the United States, and Yelp in the United States and Canada, including Yelp waitlists Yelp. The feature is excluded from ChatGPT Work, which is the paid tier aimed at businesses.
ChatGPT vs Gemini vs booking apps — where should you book?
If you’re choosing between this and Google Gemini (Reserve with Google), our Comparison Database breaks down how they score across Ease, Features, Performance, Docs, and Support. Perplexity is another option, but it focuses on research and does not book tables. The OpenTable, Resy, and Yelp apps themselves remain the most direct route if you only want to book. This booking feature also arrived alongside ChatGPT’s new unlimited free text chats, which launched the week of August 10 Engadget.
Verdict: Is ChatGPT booking worth trying this weekend?
Yes — try it this weekend if you already use ChatGPT on mobile or desktop. Open the chat, ask it to find a table through OpenTable, Resy, or Yelp, and let it walk you through the available times. Just remember that the booking provider, not OpenAI, manages your reservation once confirmed.
FAQ
Does ChatGPT restaurant booking cost extra?
No separate fee has been announced by OpenAI for using the booking feature. Normal provider rules still apply, such as cancellation policies set by the restaurant or platform OpenAI.
Can I book with the free version of ChatGPT?
Yes, the feature is rolling out across all ChatGPT plans on mobile, web, and desktop. It is only excluded from ChatGPT Work, the business-focused tier Resy.
Who handles changes or cancellations?
The booking provider handles changes and cancellations, not OpenAI. You will need to contact OpenTable, Resy, or Yelp directly to modify or cancel a reservation Yelp.
Why is ChatGPT so slow?
ChatGPT feels slow because large language models generate text one token at a time, and the speed is measured in output tokens per second. Most consumer models today average a few dozen tokens per second, which is why longer answers can take noticeable time to appear TechCrunch.
What is OpenAI Ultrafast?
OpenAI previewed Ultrafast on August 13, 2026, a mode that runs GPT-5.6 Sol at up to 14x faster speeds, reaching up to 750 output tokens per second on Cerebras hardware OpenAI. It is an API-limited preview for select business customers only, with no pricing announced yet, and it is not available in the consumer ChatGPT app.
Ultrafast vs Gemini 3.7 Flash — the speed race
If you’re choosing between this and Google Gemini 3.7 Flash, our Comparison Database breaks down how they score across Ease, Features, Performance, Docs, and Support. Anthropic Claude and Cerebras or Groq inference are other ways to get faster responses today. Google’s Gemini 3.7 Flash launched the same day as Ultrafast and is priced at half of its predecessor’s rate Google.
Verdict: Should beginners care about Ultrafast?
Not yet — Ultrafast is only available to a small group of business customers and has no public timeline. Still, it previews the end of “smart but slow,” showing that speed is becoming a headline feature alongside accuracy. Beginners should watch for these gains to eventually reach the free and paid ChatGPT apps Cerebras.
FAQ
Can I use Ultrafast in ChatGPT right now?
No, Ultrafast is an API-limited preview for select business customers such as Jane Street, Podium, Basis, and Rogo. No pricing has been announced, and it is not available in the consumer ChatGPT app OpenAI.
Is ChatGPT going to get faster?
Directionally yes — OpenAI says Ultrafast will expand “as capacity grows,” but no consumer timeline has been shared TechCrunch.
What makes Ultrafast so fast?
Ultrafast runs GPT-5.6 Sol on Cerebras hardware, which OpenAI says can deliver up to 750 output tokens per second, roughly 14x faster than standard speeds Cerebras.
We previously covered ChatGPT’s free unlimited text chats when they launched, and you can read that breakdown in our earlier briefing.
What to watch next week
Next week, keep an eye on whether Ultrafast expands beyond its initial business customers and whether more ChatGPT users gain access to the restaurant reservation feature. We will continue tracking official release notes and partner announcements as they develop. This story was produced by our automated pipeline — track what’s coming next at our cron pipeline.
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