Pre Authorization Rules

Pre-authorizations must be closed out within a specific timeframe :

Visa - 2 hrs

MasterCard - 20 minutes



Authorizations in general are good for the following timeframe :

Please note, you must also keep in mind the required settlement timeframes



Amex - Authorization approvals are good for 7 days from the date issued - Must be posted within 7 days



Visa - Authorization approvals are good for 7 days from the date issued - Must be posted within 10 days for single merchant locations and 20 days for multiple merchant locations)



MasterCard - Authorization approvals are good until used (transaction settled through clearing with that auth code) - Must be posted within 7 days for electronically recorded and 14 days for manual recorded (paper processed sales)



Discover - Authorization approvals are good for 10 days from the date issued - Must be posted within 10 days *** Exception : Authorization Responses for Card Sales in the car rental, airline and passenger rail, and lodging industries, and other passenger transport categories will remain valid for 30 days