Card Authorizations (Pre-Authorizations)

Hold an amount on a guest’s card at check-in, then capture what they owe or release the hold.

Overview

An authorization (also called a pre-authorization or hold) reserves an amount on the guest’s card without taking it. Hotels use it to secure the stay and incidentals. It shows as AUTH on the Payments tab and under Authorized payments in the Folio summary.

To place one, use Authorize on a card terminal or a saved card. See Card Payments. Then open the ⋯ menu on the AUTH row:

⚠️ Note: Increase authorization is available only for card payments through Fortis and Shift4.

Capture an Authorization

1. On the Payments tab, open ⋯ on the AUTH row and choose Capture authorization.
2. The Capture amount starts at the full hold. To capture less, enter the amount the guest owes.
3. Click Capture.

✅ What you’ll see: The row changes to CAPTURED with the captured amount. If you captured less than the hold, the rest is released back to the guest’s card.

Increase an Authorization

1. Open ⋯ on the AUTH row and choose Increase authorization.
2. Enter the new total hold, not the extra amount. For example, to go from 100.00 to 160.00, enter 160.00.
3. Click Increase authorization.

💡 Tip: The new total must be more than the current hold. To take less, capture part of the hold instead.

Void (Release) an Authorization

1. Open ⋯ on the AUTH row and choose Void authorization.
2. Enter a Reason. It is kept on the payment record.
3. Click Void auth.

✅ What you’ll see: The row changes to VOID and the hold is released. How quickly the guest’s available balance updates depends on their bank.

Authorization Receipt

An authorization has its own receipt, titled Card Authorization. It shows the amount held and states that this is a hold, not a charge.

Related

• Card Payments: Terminal, Saved Cards and New Cards
• Refunds and Voids
• Payment Receipts