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Incremental Preauthorization

An overview of Incremental Preauthorization offered by Smart Checkout.

Incremental preauthorization allows you to increase the amount of an existing preauthorized transaction when the final charge is expected to exceed the original authorization. This is useful in scenarios where the total cost is not fully known at the time of the initial transaction.

With this feature, you can submit one or more additional authorization requests (incremental) linked to the original preauthorization. Each incremental authorization increases the total authorized amount, ensuring sufficient funds are reserved before final capture.

How it works

Initial Preauthorization
Authorize an initial amount on the customer’s payment method.
Incremental Preauthorization(s)
If the final amount increases, submit one or more incremental authorizations referencing the original transaction.
Final Capture
Capture the total authorized amount (initial + all incrementals).

Example

Initial preauthorization: €100
Incremental preauthorization: +€50
Final captured amount: €150

Incremental preauthorization diagram

Note: The validity period of a preauthorization is determined by the timestamp of the original preauthorization. Subsequent incremental preauthorizations do not reset or extend this expiry date; instead, they inherit the validity period of the initial preauthorization.

Typical Use Cases

Lodging (e.g., hotels)
Car rentals
Any service with variable final pricing

Technical Documentation

API documentation for standard Merchant can be found here

API documentation for ISV can be found here

Incremental preauthorization must be supported and enabled for your account. To activate this functionality, contact your account manager.

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