diff --git a/.env b/.env
index e12f3d2..70d80fd 100644
--- a/.env
+++ b/.env
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ APP_WEBSITE_BASE_URL="https://www.ep-reisen.de/"
 APP_TRAVEL_PREFER_REMOTE=false
 APP_TRAVEL_ENABLE_FALLBACK=true
 
+# Booking Configuration
+# Status for new bookings: 'F' (Fixed/Final), 'O' (Option - requires agency confirmation)
+# Use 'O' during beta phase, switch to 'F' for production
+DEFAULT_BOOKING_STATUS=F
+
 API_KEYS=
 
 XML_EXPORT_PATH="%kernel.project_dir%/var/xmlexport"
diff --git a/config/services.yaml b/config/services.yaml
index 2f4de95..51f5ba0 100644
--- a/config/services.yaml
+++ b/config/services.yaml
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ parameters:
     terms_and_conditions_url: '%env(APP_TERMS_AND_CONDITIONS_URL)%'
     path_to_keys: '%kernel.project_dir%/config/secret'
     bpn_debug: '%env(APP_BPN_DEBUG)%'
+    default_booking_status: '%env(DEFAULT_BOOKING_STATUS)%'
 
     # Body dimensions choices for BodyDimensionsType
     body_dimensions.height_choices:
diff --git a/src/Service/BookingService.php b/src/Service/BookingService.php
index ac0b406..fc7757e 100644
--- a/src/Service/BookingService.php
+++ b/src/Service/BookingService.php
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ use App\Exception\NoRoomsAvailableException;
 use App\Form\Model\BookingDto;
 use App\Form\Model\ParticipantDto;
 use App\Form\Model\RoomSelectionDto;
+use Symfony\Component\DependencyInjection\Attribute\Autowire;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Request;
 use Symfony\Component\HttpKernel\Exception\NotFoundHttpException;
 
@@ -27,6 +28,8 @@ class BookingService
         private readonly TravelDataService $travelDataService,
         private readonly BookingPriceCalculatorService $priceCalculator,
         private readonly ParticipantEligibilityService $participantEligibilityService,
+        #[Autowire('%default_booking_status%')]
+        private readonly string $defaultBookingStatus,
     ) {
     }
 
@@ -522,13 +525,16 @@ class BookingService
      * Determines the initial booking status based on travel configuration.
      *
      * This method implements a multi-stage check to determine if a booking
-     * should start as inquiry ('A') or final ('F') booking:
+     * should start as inquiry ('A') or use the configured default status:
      * 1. Checks if final bookings are allowed via buchungstatusmoeglich attribute from API
      * 2. Checks if only inquiry rooms are available (no Frei rooms with available > 0)
      *
+     * The default status is configured via DEFAULT_BOOKING_STATUS env variable.
+     * Use 'O' (Option) during beta for agency confirmation, 'F' (Final) for production.
+     *
      * @param Travel $travelData The travel data to evaluate
      *
-     * @return string 'A' for inquiry booking, 'F' for final booking
+     * @return string 'A' for inquiry booking, or the configured default status
      */
     private function determineInitialBookingStatus(Travel $travelData): string
     {
@@ -544,7 +550,7 @@ class BookingService
             return 'A';
         }
 
-        return 'F';
+        return $this->defaultBookingStatus;
     }
 
     /**