Authorizations overview

Manage credit card authorizations to secure guest payments. This article provides an overview of how authorizations work within Cloudbeds PMS. By understanding these authorization processes, you can effectively manage guest payments and minimize the risk of failed transactions.

Accessing Credit Card Details

Find the authorization option within a reservation's Credit Cards tab.

Authorizing a Credit Card

• When a new credit card is added to a reservation, you can authorize it to hold funds for the reservation amount.
• This authorization verifies the card's validity and reserves the funds, ensuring the payment can be captured later.

Capturing an Authorization

• Once the guest's stay is complete, or you are ready to collect payment, you can capture the authorized amount.
• This transfers the held funds from the guest's credit card to your account.

Voiding an Authorization

• You can void the authorization if a reservation is canceled or you need to release the funds you have held.
• This returns the reserved amount to the guest's credit card.

Important Considerations

• Incremental Authorizations: Cloudbeds PMS does not currently support incremental authorizations so that you can add them to an existing approval.
• Void and Reauthorize: If you need to change the authorized amount, you must void the existing authorization and create a new one for the updated total.
• Risk Management: When voiding and reauthorizing, be aware that the card may no longer have sufficient funds to cover the new amount. This could result in a failed authorization and loss of the previously held funds.