Description: The SkyTab POS pre-authorization feature allows you to pre-authorize Credit Cards for a predetermined amount. This works similarly to bar tabs. A manager or business operator determines the uniform pre-authorization amount for all bar tabs at one time; it cannot be modified on a per-ticket or per-tab basis. Review the standards, setup, usage, and regulations for this feature as outlined below:

Pre-Authorization and Bar Tabs

The pre-authorization and bar tab feature is intended for fast-paced bar and nightclub scenarios. It allows the customer to open a tab and still retain physical possession of their card. This functionality prevents the use of expired or canceled cards as well as “walkouts” on open tabs.

Pre-authorization Setup

Go to Manager > Settings > Business.
Select the Advanced tab at the top.
Toggle Allow Pre-Authorization to the right.
Set the Standard Pre-auth Amount (min $1.00).
Pressing "Save" after activating pre-authorization displays the warning below. It explains not only what a pre-authorization is but also a warning regarding what may occur if this feature is used. Press Accept to close the dialog box and commit the changes.

Opening a Bar Tab on the System

Once the pre-authorization settings are set up, and the standard amount is created, the function becomes available while processing a transaction. There are multiple ways to pre-authorize the card:

Option 1: Dip the card on the New Ticket screen.

Option 1A: Open a New ticket and select the Add Pre-Auth option to dip the card for the system programmed pre-auth amount (Minimum $1.00).

Option 1B: Open a New Ticket and add items to the ticket, then select the Add Pre-Auth button. Dip the card to Pre-Auth for the current order amount.
If the default amount is higher than the total of the items on the ticket, it will pre-auth for the default amount.

Option 2: Dip the card on a ticket in Grid View.

Note: The key difference between these options is that if a card is inserted from Ticket Grid View, it automatically creates a new ticket and displays the cardholder's Name/Surname as the custom name.

The below dialog box appears asking to confirm the “Pre-authorize [amount] on this card for the selected ticket?” Press OK to continue.

Once confirmed, the pre-auth amount is listed at the bottom of the ticket near the total, and you may begin adding to the ticket as you normally would.

Paying out a Bar Tab

After the customer is ready to pay, press Take Payment in the lower-left corner of the ticket. The below dialog box displays:

Pressing YES completes the transaction and charges the pre-authorized card with the full order total.
Pressing NO returns you to the order screen and gives you the ability to void the pre-authorization.

Other System Restrictions for Pre-Authorizations

Tickets with pre-auths on them cannot be split or combined.
Items on tickets that have a pre-auth cannot be split.

Pre-Authorization Regulations and Standards

Shift4 conducts an initial pre-authorization amount specified during setup to ensure that the card is valid and has funds available. When the ticket exceeds that amount, Shift4 increments the pre-authorization with the credit processor if that is supported by the processor. Otherwise, the system retains the original pre-authorization. Use of this may result in significant additional transaction costs, especially if the amount to pre-authorize is set too low or too high.

The ticket should remain open until the customer has signed the credit card slip. Afterward, the tip may be entered and the ticket can be closed normally.

No warning is currently provided to the end-user that the preauthorization amount has been exceeded. All end-users should carefully monitor the preauthorization amount and ticket totals to keep them aware of any significant disparity. The card can be preauthorized for a second time, but that requires the card to be physically swiped again.

Shift4 assumes no liability for failed post-authorization amounts that exceed the preauthorization total.

SkyTab Mobile and Pre-Authorizations

The Skytab Mobile has the ability to see tickets that were started with Pre-Authorizations on the SkyTab POS and add items to that ticket.

Please refer to Initiate a Pre-Auth on SkyTab Mobile Zendesk Article to learn more about this feature.

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Pre-Authorizations and Bar Tabs on SkyTab POS and SkyTab Mobile