Question: What credit card transactions are used to process orders?
Answer: The following table lists the major credit card transaction types:
Transaction Type |
Description |
Authorization |
Verify that the credit card has the available funds. This transaction lowers the card's credit limit, but does not charge the card. It holds the authorized amount for charging at some later point. When an order is created, the amount of the authorization depends on the authorization settings, which are entered in System ID Maintenance, or set up for order classes in Order Class Maintenance and for customers in Group Credit Rule Maintenance and Customer Credit Rule Maintenance. |
Authorization Void |
This transaction cancels an authorization. This can generally only be done the same day as an authorization. |
Delayed Capture |
This transaction finishes off an authorization transaction and charges the credit card. The amount of the authorization transaction may not be the same as the amount of the delayed capture transaction. |
Sale |
This transaction lowers the card's credit limit and charges the card immediately. This can also be a credit for return orders. |
Note For more information, see Credit Card Orders.
The following table is an example of the above transactions:
Transaction Description |
Type |
Card's Credit Limit |
Credit Card Bill |
Starting balance |
N/A |
10,000 |
0 |
Placed order #123 for $100 and receives authorization #1 |
Authorization |
9,900 |
0 |
Order #123 is shipped and invoiced for $80, the remainder is backordered |
Delayed Capture |
9,920 |
80 |
Order #123 backorder of $20 is reauthorized with authorization #2 |
Authorization |
9,900 |
80 |
Point-of-sale transaction for $200 |
Sale |
9,700 |
280 |