What is Default Credit? A Simple Guide

Default Credit ensures trust and smooth transactions in vending machines. It pre-authorizes payment, covers purchases, and prevents non-payment. Customers only pay for what they buy.

General

Payment Settings › Nayax Core

What is Default Credit?

Default Credit is the pre-authorization amount your machine uses to verify a customer's payment before vending a product. This article explains what it is, how it works, and how it affects your transactions.

👤 Operators
📦 Nayax Core
Concept

What is Default Credit?

Default Credit is the amount your machine pre-authorizes on a customer's payment method before they select a product. It's your machine's way of confirming that funds are available - so it can safely vend without the risk of a failed payment.

ℹ️
Pre-authorization: A pre-authorization is a temporary check against a payment method to confirm funds are available. It's not a charge - the customer is only billed for what they actually buy.

On machines that require the customer to tap their card before selecting a product, the Default Credit amount is what gets pre-authorized at that moment. The machine needs this figure before it can proceed.

Concept

How it works

There are two ways a machine can handle Default Credit, depending on its type:

⚡
Most common
Virtual Credit

The machine uses a digital authorization - no money is reserved in the customer's account. Fast, seamless, and used by most modern Nayax-connected machines. The customer is charged only for what they buy.

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Older machines
Bank Hold

The machine temporarily reserves the Default Credit amount in the customer's bank account - similar to a hotel pre-authorization. The hold is released automatically once the transaction completes.

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Tip: Modern Nayax machines use Virtual Credit by default. Bank Holds are typically only seen on older third-party hardware integrations.
Reference

Transaction flow

Here's what happens during a standard cashless purchase on a machine with Default Credit enabled:

  1. 1
    Customer approaches the machine and taps their card or phone.
  2. 2
    The machine checks the Default Credit amount against the customer's payment method.
  3. 3
    Pre-authorization is confirmed - the machine knows it can safely vend.
  4. 4
    Customer selects their product.
  5. 5
    Payment is processed for the actual purchase amount only.
  6. 6
    Product is dispensed. Transaction complete.
Examples

Real-world examples

The Default Credit amount you configure should cover the most expensive possible purchase on that machine.

☕ Coffee machine
Most expensive drink$5.00
Default Credit to set$5.00
WhyEnsures any drink on the menu can be purchased
🍫 Snack machine with multiple items
ScenarioCustomer may buy multiple items in one session
Default Credit logicSet to cover the maximum possible purchase value
🧊 Smart fridge
SystemUses an incremental system that adjusts as items are removed - no fixed Default Credit required

Troubleshooting

FAQ

FAQ

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