Credit Card Authorization: Current Auth Amount vs Previous Auth Amount

Credit Card Authorization: Current Auth Amount vs Previous Auth Amount


The difference between these two types of authorization is very important to understand. Both can be found in the Credit Card window and should normally be identical most of the time.

Definitions

The "Current Auth Amount" is the amount that Visual Matrix default to that represent the security amount to cover the stay.
The "Previous Auth Amount" is the amount that Visual Matrix has already secureed through a previous authorization.
An "Authorization" is not a charge. It is a pending hold. As long as the payment is not posted as a deposit (before check-in) or on the folio (during the stay or at check-out), the authorization will stay on hold until the release at check-out.
A "Reverse" is not a refund. It is a reversal of an authorization.
If a payment is posted lower than the "Previous Auth Amount" done, the balance will be automatically reverse. The amount of the authorization will be considered as released. Any attempt to reuse the authorization code for the complement without the credit card processor validation will most than likely lead to a charge back from the credit card provider.

Before Check-In

It is always possible to do an authorization (only) before the check-in. However, once done, if the stay length changes, the authorization won't be adjustable.
1. Authorization done before check-in.
2. If any modification in the reservation had decreased the “Current Auth Amount”, you will not have the ability to reverse the over-authorized.
3. If any modification in the reservation had increased the “Current Auth Amount”, you will not have the ability to increment the authorization. 



During Check-In

Any incidental amount setup will be added to the authorization amount after choosing credit card as the method of payment at check-in.
4. If any modification in the reservation had decreased the “Current Auth Amount”, you will now be able to reverse the over-authorized amount. If you do not have incidentals automatically setup, you will not be able to keep the extra as incidental authorization.
5. If any modification in the reservation had increased the “Current Auth Amount”, you will now be able to increment the current authorization. If you have incidentals automatically setup, they will be added to the Current Auth Amount.



After Check-In

6. If the length of stay is shortened and decreases the “Current Auth Amount”, you will be able to reverse the over-authorized.
7. If the length of stay is extended and increases the “Current Auth Amount”, Visual Matrix will automatically prompt an incremental request. If it is not done manually, an automatic attempt will happen during the night audit.
Automatic attempts during night audit only apply to increments, not reversals.

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