---
page_title: An Overview
product: Pre-Authorization
page_source: https://juspay.io/eu/docs/pre-auth-eu/docs/preauthorization/an-overview
llms_txt: https://juspay.io/eu/docs/llms.txt
product_llms_txt: https://juspay.io/eu/docs/pre-auth-eu/llms.txt
---


# Understanding Pre-Auth



Pre-Authorization (Pre-Auth) is a payment flow that allows merchants to **temporarily reserve**  a specified amount on a customer's card at the time of order placement. The actual debit of funds (the "Capture") is performed later, once the order fulfillment process is complete.

This approach is highly beneficial for business models where the final order value may change between the time the customer places the order and when the order is fulfilled.


## **Advantages** 



* **Fraud Prevention:**  Verifies fund availability without immediate charging, reducing the risk of failed transactions.
* **Flexibility:**  Suitable for scenarios where the final charge amount may change.
* **Customer Satisfaction:**  Ensures funds are held securely until the transaction is confirmed.
* **Reduced Chargebacks** : Ensures funds are only captured once the goods or services are confirmed, minimizing disputes and chargebacks.


## **Use Cases** 



* **Hospitality:**  Booking a hotel room, where incidental charges (e.g., mini-bar, room service) are added after check-in.
* **Travel/Rental Services:**  Car rentals, where the final fuel or mileage charges are calculated at drop-off.
* **E-Commerce/Retail:**  Orders requiring partial shipment, or where certain items may be cancelled or substituted.


## **Key Features: Capture Types** 



Pre-Auth transactions offer three distinct methods for the final debit of funds, providing flexibility based on your business needs.

* **Full Capture** 
  
  The merchant captures the **full authorized amount**  in a single request. This is used when the final order value matches the initial authorization amount.
* **Partial Capture** 
  
  The merchant captures an amount **less than or equal to**  the authorized amount in a **single request** . The system then **automatically voids**  the remaining authorized amount, releasing the reserved funds back to the customer.
* **Multiple Partial Capture** 
  
  The merchant can initiate **multiple capture requests**  over time until the total captured amount reaches the authorized limit. The merchant **must explicitly initiate a VOID request**  to cancel any remaining balance and release the funds.


## Transaction Flow



![Image](https://dth95m2xtyv8v.cloudfront.net/tesseract/assets/pre-auth-sea/Pre%20Authorization%20Flow%20Horizontal.jpg)



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## See Also

- [Prerequisites](https://juspay.io/eu/docs/pre-auth-eu/docs/preauthorization/prerequisites)