---
title: Pre-authorisations
description: Pre authorisations, pre auth on bookings
---
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# Pre-authorisations
## This guide covers setting up pre-authorisations on your schedule, what customers see when booking online, taking card details for phone or walk-in bookings, and checking a booking's pre-authorisation status.
A pre-authorisation is a hold placed on a customer's card to guarantee a booking. The funds are only held, nothing is taken from the customer's account. If the customer cancels outside your cancellation period, or doesn't show up, the specified cancellation fee per person is charged from the held amount.
### Setting up a pre-authorisation
**Go to Venue Settings \> Diary \> Schedule**
1. Click into the **Service** you'd like to add a pre-authorisation to (for example, Lunch or Dinner).
2. Select the **Payments & Booking Options** tab.
3. From the **Payment Type** drop-down menu, select **Pre-Authorisation**.
4. Select whether the charge is Per pax or Per booking
5. **Set the booking size** the Pre- Authorisation applies to. Enter **1** to apply the hold to every booking or a certain group size, for example, **6**, to apply it to bookings of six or more guests
6. Enter the amount you'd like to hold, Per pax or Per booking
7. Select **Save**.
**Note:** pre-authorisations are set per service, so you'll need to repeat these steps for each day and service you'd like to apply one to.
### What customers see on the booking widget
1. They enter the date, time, number of guests, and their personal details, then select **Next**.
2. The pre-authorisation amount and terms and conditions are shown in the service description.
3. They're asked to enter their card details to finalise the booking.
Once confirmed, the customer receives a booking confirmation email with a summary of the pre-authorisation at the top.
### Taking card details for a phone or walk-in booking
a. **Send an email** - emails the customer a payment link to enter their card details.
b. **Send an SMS** - texts the customer the same payment link.
You can also copy the payment link yourself, to send on or open however suits you.
### Checking pre-authorisation status
A **P$** status means a payment or pre-authorisation is attached and still awaiting card details. Scroll to the **Payments** section of the booking screen and select the **Payment URL** to take it. Once details are in, the booking's confirmed and shows a **card symbol** in the Diary.
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