How to Configure your Machine for Pre-Authorization Payment Flow | Operations

Pre-Authorization Payment Flow mitigates financial risk by securing funds upfront, especially where the final amount may vary. Ideal for high-value or usage-based transactions such as fuel pumps or rentals.

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What is Pre-Authorization and why use it?

💡What is Pre-Authorization and why use it?

Pre-authorization payment flow secures a customer's payment details upfront before they interact with the machine and before the final charge is known. The machine places a temporary hold on the customer's card for the configured Default Credit amount, then captures the actual transaction amount after the vend completes.

This setup is most commonly used for fuel pumps, car wash stations, equipment rentals, and any service where the total cost varies by usage. Pre-authorization reduces the risk of insufficient funds disputes and provides operators with additional security and smoother payment reconciliation.

✅Payment secured before vend begins
✅Reduces insufficient funds risk
✅Cleaner payment reconciliation
✅Ideal for variable-amount transactions

This guidePre-Authorization

The card is authorized for a hold amount first. Final charge is captured after the vend completes.

Best for: fuel pumps, car rentals, usage-based services with variable final amounts.

Pre-Selection

The customer selects their product first, then pays the exact product price.

Best for: standard vending, kiosks, retail-like environments with fixed prices.

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