Explaining Credit Card Transaction Types
The Transaction Type controls what action is taken by the gateway in processing the credit card.
Below is an illustration of the Credit Card Processing window with the various transaction types highlighted. Below these transaction types are defined.
- Authorize – Choosing this type will put a hold on the appropriate funds from your customer’s account, ensuring that you can capture the amount when the job is completed. Keep in mind that most authorizations are voided by the credit card company after 1-3 weeks if the transaction is never captured.
- Auth & Capture – Choosing Authorization & Capture checks to make sure the funds are available, and proceeds to transfer from your customers’ account to yours. This is an equivalent of a “Sale” transaction on the standard credit card terminal/machine.
- Pr Capture – Choosing Prior Authorization Capture will let you capture a previously obtained Authorization. To complete highlight authorized transaction in the posted transaction area, select Pr Capture, and click Submit Transaction
- Void – If you recently submitted a transaction that has not yet been settled by your gateway provider (settlement times and rules vary by provider), you can Void the unsettled transaction. Once the transaction is voided, the previously authorized funds are released back to the cardholder within 24-48 hours and the transaction never shows up on the credit card statement. To complete select the Authorization or Auth & Capture transaction in the posted transaction area, select Void, and click Submit Transaction.
- Credit – If you have submitted a transaction that has been settled by your gateway provider, you can credit an amount back to your customer by choosing this transaction type. To complete select the Authorization or Auth & Capture transaction in the posted transaction area, select Credit, and click Submit Transaction.