Guarantee payment upfront, reduce fraud risk, and give customers flexibility with pre-authorised transactions
Hold funds securely
Place a temporary hold on funds to guarantee payment for services or bookings
Reduce chargeback risk
Minimise disputes and fraud by validating payment before services are delivered
Ideal for hospitality & rentals
Perfect for hotels, motels, car rentals, and any service provided before payment
Protect your revenue
Secure Payments, Reduce Risk
Pre-authorisations let you place a temporary hold on funds so you know your customer can pay. Reduce the risk of no-shows, disputes, or unexpected losses.
Smarter payment management
Flexible
Increment pre-authorisations to cover extra costs, or process delayed charges for add-ons and damages. One completion transaction keeps reconciliation simple and accurate.
Reporting
Real-Time Reporting & Control
Get a clear overview of all your pre-auths across your terminals. Manage open authorisations and track completions.
Confirm a card is valid with a $0 Pre-Auth
Contactless
How it works
Pre-Authorise the payment
Process a pre-auth to place a temporary hold on your customer’s card for the agreed amount
Adjust if Needed
Increase or cancel the pre-authorisation as circumstances change (e.g. extra charges, incidentals, or cancellations)
Complete the transaction
Finalise the payment by processing the completion. Funds are transferred from the hold into your account, and the transaction is closed.
Resources
Pre-authorisation user guide
How to process and manage Pre-Authorisation transactions on your Android EFTPOS terminal.
Simplify taking bookings and minimise fraud with Account Verify
Do you take bookings in your business? There's a simple payment solution that can significantly minimise your risk of no-shows and fraudulent bookings: Account Verify.
Guide to getting started with pre-Authorisation
Looking to significantly reduce your risk of credit card fraud and theft while streamlining your payment experience for your customers?
Contactless
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pre-Authorisation?
A temporary “hold” on funds to guarantee your customer can pay. You complete the transaction later when goods/services are provided.
How long is a Pre-Auth valid?
Pre-authorisations are valid for up to 30 days, but best practice is to complete them as soon as possible.
Can I increase a Pre-Auth if costs change?
Yes. You can increment an open pre-auth to cover extra costs (like room service, damages, or add-ons).
What happens if a Pre-Auth isn’t completed?
The hold will expire and funds will return to your customer. You won’t receive payment.
What is a Delayed Charge?
A transaction you process after a pre-auth has already been completed, to cover additional costs.
Is Pre-Authorisation available for all merchants?
Yes, if you’re on the Verifone network with EFTPOS NZ. There’s no extra cost.