Pre-Authorizations
A pre-authorization enables you to authorize a payment when the final amount is
unknown. It is typically used for lodging, auto rental, e-commerce, and restaurant
transactions.
For a pre-authorization:
- The authorization amount must be greater than zero.
- The authorization must be submitted for capture within 30 calendar days of its request.
- When you do not capture the authorization, you must reverse it.In the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, Mastercard charges an additional fee for a pre-authorization that is not captured and not reversed.In Europe, Russia, Middle East, and Africa, Mastercard charges fees for all pre-authorizations.
- Chargeback protection is in effect for 30 days after the authorization.