Processing a Pre-Authorization

Follow the procedure below to authorize a temporary amount when the final amount of a credit card Purchase is not known.

To process a Pre-Authorization:

  1. On the applications menu, select DEBIT & CREDIT.
    The message "Activating App..." appears followed by the transactions menu.

  2. To begin the transaction, select Pre Auth.
    If the "Password:" prompt appears, key in the manager password and press the green OK key.

  3. On the Pre Auth menu, select Pre Auth again.
    The "Amount: $  0.00" prompt appears.

  4. Key in the Pre-Authorization amount and press the green OK key.
    If prompted for an Invoice Number ("Invoice #:"), see Entering an Invoice Number.
    The "Swipe Card" or "Swipe or Insert Card:" prompt appears.

  5. Swipe or insert the card. For more information, refer to Card Entry Options.

  6. Follow the prompts on the terminal.

  1. Process receipts (see Personalized Receipts and Signing Credit Card Receipts).

Note: If Tip Processing is enabled, a blank Tip line is printed on the receipt below the base amount. If a signature line is printed on the Pre-Authorization receipt, the cardholder MUST sign the receipt.

  1. When the final amount of the purchase is known, process a Pre-Authorization Completion for the final amount using the same card number.

Note: If processing the Pre-Authorization on a Private Label Card, you may be prompted for a Promo Code.

For details on basic prompts, see Responding to Basic Transaction Prompts.