A Pre-Authorization Request lets you place a temporary hold on a guest’s card without immediately charging the amount.
This is commonly used to collect a refundable Security or Damage Deposit. If there is no damage or eligible claim, the authorization can be released. If needed, you can capture part or all of the authorized amount.
💡 Important: A pre-authorization is a hold, not a payment. The guest’s card is authorized for the specified amount, but the funds are not captured unless you choose to do so.
🚀 Create a Pre-Authorization Request
Go to Payment Link
From your ChargeAutomation account, go to:
Payment Link → Create
You will be asked whether the request is for an existing booking.
Select No, it's not.
1️⃣ Single use
In the payment request window, select:
🔐 Authorization
Enter the required information:
💰 Amount – The amount you want to authorize.
💱 Currency – Select the currency for the authorization.
📧 Guest email – Enter the guest’s email address if you want to send the link directly.
📝Description - This field is optional. A clear description helps the guest understand why they are being asked to authorize their card.
⚙️ Configure More settings
📅 Schedule Authorize Date
Use Schedule Authorize Date to choose when ChargeAutomation should authorize the guest's card.
Select the date and time when you want the authorization to take place.
⏳ Authorize Link Expiry
Set an Authorize Link Expiry date and time to determine how long the authorization link will remain available to the guest.
After the expiry time, the guest will no longer be able to use that link to complete the authorization.
📜 Terms and Conditions
Use the Terms and Conditions field to provide the guest with any relevant terms they should review before completing the authorization.
🛡️ Chargeback Protection
Check whether Chargeback Protection is enabled before sending the request.
Review the available options carefully, as protection settings may vary depending on your payment gateway and transaction type.
🔗 Send the authorization link
Click Send Authorize Link.
The guest will receive a secure link where they can enter their card details and complete the authorization.
You can also copy the authorization link and share it through other channels, such as:
Email
SMS
Whatsapp
Messenger
The guest does not need to download an app to complete the authorization.
👤 What does the guest see?
When the guest opens the authorization link, they can securely enter their card details to authorize the requested amount.
The authorization places a temporary hold on the card rather than immediately capturing the funds.
The length of time an authorization remains valid depends on the payment gateway, card network, card type, and country.
🔐 What happens after authorization?
Once the guest successfully completes the authorization, you can manage the authorization from the booking.
✅ No damage?
If the guest completes their stay without any eligible claim, you can release/void the authorization according to your payment gateway’s supported process.
⚠️ Damage or eligible claim?
If you need to use the deposit, you can capture part or all of the authorized amount, depending on the transaction and payment gateway.
💡 You don't necessarily need to capture the entire deposit. If the eligible charge is lower than the authorized amount, a partial capture may be possible.