Pre-auth lets you hold funds on a customer's card before a job starts — so you're always protected if something goes wrong. No more taking card details over the phone, no more trusting people to pay.
The problem
Most booking-based businesses still guarantee reservations the same way they did 20 years ago — scribbling card numbers on paper, reading digits over the phone, or simply hoping customers show up and pay.
You set aside time, staff, or resources — then the customer doesn't turn up and you have no way to recover the loss.
Writing down numbers, reading them aloud, sending them by email — none of this is PCI compliant, and it puts you and your customers at risk.
When your business depends on hoping customers follow through, every booking is a gamble. One bad experience can wipe out a day's profit.
How it works
Send your customer a secure payment link. Their card is verified and the agreed amount is held — not charged. You release the hold when everything goes smoothly, or capture it if you need to.
Create a pre-authorisation for any amount and send it to your customer via email, SMS, or a link from your dashboard. They complete it on their own device in under a minute.
The customer's bank verifies the card and holds the amount. No money leaves their account — it's reserved until you decide what happens next.
Everything went well? Release the hold and collect payment however you prefer. Need to charge? Capture the held amount with one click from your dashboard.
For your business
Pre-auth gives you the tools to secure bookings, reduce no-shows, and protect against disputes — without changing how you run your business day-to-day.
Every booking is backed by a pre-authorised hold on the customer's card. If they don't show up or cancel late, you can capture the held amount to cover your losses.
You never see, store, or handle card numbers. Everything goes through your payment provider's secure checkout — so there's no PCI compliance burden on your end.
Send a payment link while you're on the phone, in a WhatsApp chat, or via SMS. Secure the booking there and then, instead of waiting for a callback or bank transfer.
Pre-auth secures the booking — but you choose how to collect. Release the hold and take payment by bank transfer, cash, or card. If something goes wrong, capture as a fallback.
For your customers
Pre-auth replaces phone-based card collection with something your customers can actually trust. It's better for them and it makes your business look more professional.
No reading numbers over the phone or sending them by email. Customers enter their details on a secure, PCI-compliant checkout page. Your business never sees the full card number.
Customers see exactly what they're authorising before they confirm. They receive receipts when a hold is placed, and again if funds are captured — complete transparency at every step.
Instead of sharing card details over the phone, customers receive a secure link on their own device. It's the same checkout experience they're used to from any reputable online service.
Use cases
If you take bookings, reservations, or appointments — Pre-auth gives you a way to secure them. Here are a few examples.
Hold a damage deposit on a guest's card for the duration of their stay. Release it at check-out, or capture if needed.
Secure a booking deposit when a client reserves a date. Protect against late cancellations with a pre-authorised hold.
Confirm commitment before you travel to a job. Know payment is guaranteed before you leave the house.
Hold a security deposit without processing a charge. Release instantly when the item comes back in good condition.
Pricing
Start free and upgrade as you grow. All plans include the full Pre-auth dashboard, secure payment links, and customer management.
A card action is any pre-authorisation, card-on-file save, capture, or charge. Releasing a hold does not count as a card action.
Try Pre-auth with no commitment.
For growing businesses with regular bookings.
For established businesses that need the full toolkit.
For organisations with higher volumes or specific requirements.
Set up Pre-auth in minutes. Connect your payment provider, create your first pre-authorisation, and send it to a customer today.