Payment authorization

Payment authorisation is approval of a payment request by the responsible payment party, usually the issuer for cards. When authorisation and capture are separate, funds may be reserved for later capture.[1][2] It is neither a payout nor the same as authenticating the payer.

A merchant may use this separation while shipment is being confirmed. Check method support and reservation expiry, since conditions vary.[2] Distinguish authorised, captured and paid-out states in order handling. Otherwise reserved funds can be mistaken for money already received.