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Use cases

How businesses use Pre-auth

Any business that takes a booking, reservation, or appointment can use Pre-auth to guarantee payment and protect against no-shows, cancellations, or disputes. Here are some of the most common ways our customers use it.

Hotels & holiday lets

A guest books a week-long stay at your holiday cottage. You need a damage deposit but don't want to charge them upfront and then deal with refunding it later.

With Pre-auth: Send a pre-authorisation link for the deposit amount when the booking is confirmed. The funds are held on the guest's card for the duration of their stay. Check-out goes smoothly? Release the hold — nothing is charged. Damage to the property? Capture what you need, directly from your dashboard.

Events & venues

A client calls to book your venue for a private event. You want a deposit to hold the date, and protection if they cancel outside your policy window or cause damage on the night.

With Pre-auth: While you're on the phone, send a pre-authorisation link via SMS. The client authorises the deposit on their phone before the call ends. If they cancel within your policy window, release the hold. Cancel late or cause damage? Capture the appropriate amount.

Mobile & on-site services

You travel to customers for repairs, collections, or installations. Today you drive out, do the work, and hope they're there to pay. If they're not, you've lost the time, the fuel, and the income.

With Pre-auth: Before you leave, send the customer a pre-authorisation link. They confirm their commitment by authorising the amount on their phone. You arrive knowing payment is secured. Job goes well? Release the hold and collect your preferred way.

Rentals & equipment hire

You rent out equipment, vehicles, or spaces. You need a security deposit, but processing a charge and then refunding it creates admin for you and a poor experience for the customer.

With Pre-auth: Hold the deposit amount on the customer's card for the rental period. No money moves. When the item comes back in good condition, release the hold instantly. Late return or damage? Capture what's owed.

Salons & wellness

No-shows for premium treatments mean a lost slot and lost revenue. You want a way to protect against last-minute cancellations without asking for payment upfront.

With Pre-auth: When a client books a high-value appointment, send a pre-authorisation link for a cancellation fee. They show up? Release the hold. They cancel last minute? Capture the fee to cover your lost time and resources.

Professional services & consultants

You schedule consultations or project work that requires preparation time. Cancellations or no-shows mean wasted hours you can't bill for.

With Pre-auth: Secure a booking commitment by pre-authorising a cancellation fee or session deposit. Your client sees a clear, professional process — and you have the confidence to prepare knowing the engagement is confirmed.

And many more

These are just some of the ways businesses use Pre-auth. If your business takes bookings, manages deposits, or needs a way to guarantee payment before delivering a service — Pre-auth can work for you.

Photographers • Tour operators • Personal trainers • Caterers • Car valets • Tutors • Cleaning services • Mechanics • Pet groomers • Wedding planners • Driving instructors • Private chefs

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