Authorizations to a credit card will hold payment or deposit. Authorizing the card is the process of charging that card by ensuring the customer is capable of paying for a certain amount.
The popular use of an authorization is for boat rentals. When a boat is rented, you can authorize the renter's card for $1000. $500 to cover the boat rental and $500 security deposit. When renters return and there is no damage you may release the $500 security deposit and charge the rental cost.
Authorize a credit card with a reservation
Step 1 - Authorize Credit Card
In any reservation module Bookings, Campground, and Marina select the reservation you desire to create an authorization. In this example we will use the Bookings module. Bookings → Reservations → Search for the desired reservation and click the Edit button.
You can also use the Dashboard to find and edit the desired reservation.
Click the Options button.
Select Authorize Payment.
If the customer has a saved credit card you may Select a credit card from the drop down box. If there is not a saved credit card, select the pictured credit card. Enter Name, Credit Card Number, Valid Thru, and CVC.
If you have the customer and card in front of you, use the credit card reader to take authorization.
Enter the Amount and click the Authorize button.
Step 2 - Release or Capture Authorize Credit Card
Once you have authorized a credit card you have the option to release or capture.
In any reservation module Bookings, Campground, and Marina select the reservation you desire to create an authorization. In this example we will use the Bookings module. Bookings → Reservations → Search for the desired reservation and click the Edit button.
You can also use the Dashboard to find and edit the desired reservation.
The reservation summary displays the total, payments, refunds, and deposit detail for the reservation. Select the Payments section to display the authorized payment. The payment will have an Authorized tag.
Select
three dots next to the authorized payment.
Select Capture → Enter the Amount to charge the customer → Click the Capture button. The amount you authorized will automatically display, but can be changed.
Select Release, you will be prompted “Are you sure you want to release authorization?” → Click Yes, Release.
Expiration of authorizations can be setup in Company Settings → Reservation Settings → Authorization Expiration. This setting will expire the authorization after the set number of days. This will release funds that may have been forgotten to be released.