Process an auth-only transaction

Auth-only transactions let you open an order for a customer on a GoDaddy smart terminal and increase the authorized amount incrementally until your customer is ready to pay. You'll add the credit card info upfront, then do a final checkout when you're ready to close out the order.

You'll need to process an initial authorization, then increase the amount as needed and close out the final order. Here's how:

Step 1: Process the initial card authorization

1. From your smart terminal home screen, tap Terminal.
2. Tap the drop-down menu in the upper-left corner and select Auth-Only.
3. Enter the initial amount to authorize, then tap Charge.
4. Wait for your customer to insert, swipe, or tap their card or device. The card will be authorized for the amount entered.
5. If tips are enabled, your customer can select a tip amount or tap Skip Tip.
6. Wait for your customer to sign the customer screen and choose how they want to receive a receipt (No Receipt, Paper Receipt, Email, or Send Text).
7. Tap Done. The amount will be authorized on the customer's card, but the card won't be charged until you close out the order.

Step 2: Increase the auth amount (optional)

1. After processing the initial authorization, tap Transactions from the Home menu.
2. Locate the transaction in the list and tap it. (Auth-only transactions have a blue checkmark in the status column.)
3. To increase the auth amount, tap Update.
4. Enter the amount increment and tap Update to increase the authorized amount. The customer's credit card is not needed to increase the amount.
5. Tap Done.

Step 3: Close out the transaction

1. After processing the initial authorization, tap Transactions from the Home menu.
2. Locate the open transaction in the list and tap it. (Auth-only transactions have a blue checkmark in the status column.)
   Note: If you want to cancel the transaction, tap Void, then tap Yes to confirm. This will void the full authorized amount and the customer won't be charged.
3. To complete the charge and close the order, tap Complete.
4. Enter the final amount to charge and update the tip if desired. Tap Capture.
5. Wait for your customer to choose how they want to receive a final receipt (No Receipt, Paper Receipt, Email, or Send Text).
6. Tap Done.

More info

• What payment methods can I accept with GoDaddy Payments?
• Learn how to view the transaction history.
• Process a standard transaction on your smart terminal.