Enable and configure pre-authorization for bar tabs
About pre-authorization for bar tabs
Pre-authorization 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. Pre-authorizations 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.
Learn more about Bar tabs and pre-authorization for Square customers.
Enable and configure a minimum pre-authorization amount for each of your applicable locations. Pre-authorization minimums can range from $1.01 to $250.
Sign in to your Square Dashboard and select Device Management > Service Settings > Bar tabs pre-auth.
Select Pre-Authorization > Enable Pre-Authorization.
Set a Minimum pre-authorization amount.
Select Enable.
Pre-authorize a card
You can pre-authorize a card via the Checkout tab or the Orders tab on iOS devices, the Square Register and Square Terminal. Square will authorize the minimum pre-authorization amount configured in your Square Dashboard or the value of items in the cart at the time of pre-authorization, whichever is greater.
If the pre-authorization is successful, the cardholder’s name will be added to the bill if the bill is unnamed. If the cardholder name cannot be read, the card type and last four digits will be added as the bill name.
From the Square POS app with 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, insert or swipe a card.
- Tap Add pre-authorization or the pre-authorization icon > tap, insert or swipe the card.
- Tap Save.
Manage preauthorizations
You can manage any pending pre-authorizations with full service, quick service or bar mode enabled in the Square POS app or from the Square Restaurants POS app.
Complete a pre-authorized transaction
If a bill has a pre-authorization associated, the pre-authorized card will be the first payment method listed during checkout. If the customer asks to pay their tab by using a split tender payment, the pre-authorized payment can only be used for one of the split payments. You can complete a pre-authorized transaction from the Square POS app with 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.