Preauthorize payments
About preauthorizing payments
Preauthorization gives you the ability to temporarily pre-authorize a credit card for a set amount to ensure a customer's credit card is valid and able to pay for their bill when closing out their tab. Preauthorizations typically last around 36 hours, but may vary depending on the customer’s card network and issuing bank.
If a card is pre-authorized through Square, customers may see 2-3 pending transactions depending on how their bank represents authorizations. Once the transaction is settled, any pre-authorization charges will be consolidated into a single line item. This process can take up to 3-5 business days depending on the customer’s card network and issuing bank. If a customer runs into an issue with a long hold, they should reach out to their bank for additional support.
Enable and configure a minimum pre-authorization amount
Enable and configure a minimum preauthorization amount for each of your applicable locations. Preauthorization minimums can range from $1.01 to $250.
- Sign in to Square Dashboard and go to Settings > Restaurant settings > Bar tabs pre-auth.
- Select Enable bar tabs pre-auth.
- Enter a minimum pre-authorization amount.
- Select Enable.
Pre-authorize a card
You can preauthorize a card via the Checkout tab or the Orders tab on iOS devices, the Square Register and Square Terminal. Square will authorize the minimum preauthorization amount configured in your Square Dashboard or POS device settings, or the value of items in the cart at the time of preauthorization, whichever is greater.
If the preauthorization is successful, the cardholder's name will be added to the check if the check is unnamed. If the cardholder name cannot be read, the card type and last four digits will be added as the check name.
From the Square POS app with standard mode, full service, quick service, or bar mode enabled, or from the Square Restaurants POS app:
- From your point of sale app navigation menu, tap Checkout.
- Start a tab by:
- Tap, dip, or swipe a card.
- Tap Add pre-authorization or the preauthorization icon > tap, dip, or swipe the card.
- Tap Save.
From the Square POS app with Standard mode, full service, quick service, or bar mode enabled, or from the Square Restaurants POS app:
- : 1. From your point of sale app navigation menu, tap Orders.
- Start a tab by:
- Tap, dip, or swipe a card
- Tap the + icon to start a new order > tap, dip, or swipe a card.
- Tap Save.
Manage pre-authorizations
You can manage any pending preauthorizations from the Square POS app with Standard mode, full service, quick service, or bar mode enabled, or from the Square Restaurants POS app.
Complete a pre-authorized transaction
You can complete a preauthorized transaction from the Square POS app with Standard mode, full service, quick service, or bar mode enabled, or from the Square Restaurants POS app.
From your point of sale app navigation menu, tap Checkout.
Tap Pay > choose the top Pre-authorize [Card ####] option.