Introduction

Accounts can have their payment gateway settings enabled to Pre-Authorize credit cards. Pre-Authorization places a credit hold on the total amount of the Order prior to final payment. This ensures that the Customer's card has sufficient funds to make the payment.

Because Pre-Authorization places a full credit hold on the card, it can only hold this amount for a specific amount of time. After that date passes, the pre-authorization will expire. If the final payment for the card wasn't taken within that window, you must void the expired authorization and re-authorize the card.

If you pre-authorize a card to pay for a $300 order, a hold of $300 is placed on that card till either full payment is taken or the hold expires.

Pre-Authorize a Card

Click to edit an Order.
Make sure the Order is set to be paid by payment gateway in the Payment Methods.
Click to the Payments Tab.

Payments Tab.png

4. Under 'Authorize Outstanding Amount' on the bottom left, add a credit card using the plus button. If a card is already saved with the Contact, it will automatically display in the payment method box. If multiple cards are saved for that Contact, click the box to switch between cards.

5. Once chosen, click 'Authorize Outstanding'.

Once Pre-Authorized, the card payment information shows up under Order Payments.

You can view the:
- Transaction ID
- Type of transaction made
- Last 4-digits of credit card
- Date the Authorization was made
- How much was due
- Amount Authorized
Pre-Auth will Authorize and place a hold of the full amount currently due on the order. If you've set up an Extra Cover percentage amount to account for gratuity and order changes, the extra percentage is included in the Authorization Hold until final payment is taken.
The Amount Due now says $0. The Total Order Amount has been held on the card until the Authorization expires. However, you need to click 'Charge Card' to finalize this payment.

Pre-Authorization Expiration Windows

Authorizations expire after a set amount of days depending on which Payment Gateway you use

Stripe: 7 days
Square: 7 days
Authorize.net: 30 days
FreedomPay: 30 days
SagePay // Opayo : 30 days

Take Final Payment

If the Authorization Expired, you need to first Void the Authorization and re-authorize the credit card.

Under Take Final Payment, select Charge Card.
Select Yes.
The page will now show the Type as Payment, rather than Authorization, indicating the Order Payment was finalized.