A Pre-Authorization transaction starts the purchase process by confirming that the Pre-authorization amount is available on the card and then placing a hold on that amount. This is useful if the final amount of the transaction is not known. An Advice transaction completes or cancels a Pre-Authorization. Once the final amount of the Purchase transaction is known, an Advice transaction MUST be performed to complete the Purchase process and transfer those funds to your business account.
Pre-Authorization transactions are commonly used in hotel, restaurant and car rental environments where the final amount of the sale is unknown when the card is first swiped. In these service-based environments, the Pre-Authorization transaction is often set as the default transaction started from the READY screen.
You can process a Pre-Authorization
from the (Purchase default) READY screen.
OR
You can process a Pre-Authorization
from the (Pre-Auth default) READY screen.
If Tip Reporting is enabled, you can:
- Complete , or cancel, the Pre-Auth from an Advice List.
If Tip Reporting is disabled, you can:
- Complete or cancel the transaction by using
the Pre-Auth's Original Sequence
number.
- Delete the transaction by performing a Transaction
Inquiry.