Add Pre-Authorization to Auto Charges

This feature allows Hostaway users to hold, and capture if needed, a certain amount from guest credit cards during the reservation process as a means to set up refundable damage deposits or security deposits.

Authorization hold (also card authorization, pre-authorization, or pre-auth) is a service offered by credit and debit card providers whereby the provider puts a hold on the amount approved by the cardholder, reducing the balance of available funds until the merchant completes the transaction (capture) or cancels it, or the hold expires.

Important notes:

• This feature is only available for Stripe-connected accounts. Braintree is not supported
• Currently captured funds are not reported in Financial Reporting
• Currently captured amounts are not reported in Reservation Financial Breakdown
• At this time Pre-Auths can only be created through Auto Invoices and Auto Charges. They cannot be created manually
• Pre-Auths can be created through Auto Charges without the need to create an auto-charge

Learn more with the Pre-Authorisation FAQ

Creating an automated Pre-Auth

1. Go to Guest Payments > Auto-payments > Update or Create a new "Auto-Payment Schedule"

2. In auto-payment select Type Pre-authorization fill in the desired amount and trigger the event

Capturing Fully or Partially

1. In the reservations detailed section the pre-auth hold success event will show when applicable

2. You can use the menu to capture partially or fully the amount as needed by using the Capture Now option
3. Type in the amount to capture:
   
   

Capturing can only happen once. If a partial capture is done, Stripe will immediately refund the rest of the held amount to the guest’s credit card. This is a behavior of Stripe and cannot be changed. Pre-authorizations will be valid for 7 days after the hold automatically will be released when not used.