This feature is specific to integration with Gravity Payment processing.
Much like purchasing fuel at a gas station, the credit card on file is checked for available funds at the time of dispatch. This ensures when the reservation is checked in and invoice is generated, the card on file is successfully charged for invoiced amount and not declined due to non-sufficient funds.
For example, a client reserves an aircraft and instructor for 2 hours. The aircraft rate is $150/hr and instructor for $50/hr. For a 2 hour reservation the client may incur up to a $400 invoice. At the time of check out, the credit card on file is preauthorized for $400 to ensure funds are available.
When the flight is checked in, an invoice is generated using the actual billed times. In this example, let’s say 1.3 hours aircraft and 1.6 hours for instructor for a total of $275. The credit card on file is charged invoiced amount, payment posted in client profile and the preauthorization is cleared.
Should the preauthorization determine adequate funds are not available, the check out process is inhibited. The client must either use a different card, make a manual payment or receive override by Staff to complete check out process.
If a reservation is extended, a second pre-authorization will occur to ensure funds are available. When the client checks in their reservation a single invoice will be billed, but the client will see two sperate charges on their credit card statement.