User`s manual

3700 User’s 9-3
Tender a Guest Check
Introduction
Credit Authorizations
Depending on your revenue center’s guidelines, you may
authorize a credit card at different points during the customer’s
stay. For example, a bar usually requests authorization for a
credit card before a customer orders anything. This is called an
“initial credit authorization.” On the other hand, a restaurant
generally requests the authorization after the meal is finished,
when the customer presents her credit card for payment. This is
called a “credit authorization.”
Both are explained below:
❏ An initial credit authorization tells you if a credit card is
valid for payment of a specified amount and stores that
credit card’s information. You request this authorization
before posting any sales to a guest check.
For example, a customer wants to run a bar tab and pay
with a credit card. The bartender processes an initial credit
authorization for $20.00. The amount is approved, and the
customer can post up to $20.00 in sales with the assurance
that this charge amount is authorized.
❏ A credit authorization tells you if a credit card is valid to
post a payment to a guest check. You process the
authorization after posting sales but before actually
processing the payment. If the authorization is approved,
the system prints a credit card voucher.
For example, a couple enters a restaurant and orders
dinner. After they finish their meal, the waiter presents the
check and the woman gives him her credit card. The server
processes a credit authorization for the amount of the check.
The card and payment amount are valid, a voucher prints,
and the server takes it back to the woman to sign.
Note
You may be able to process other transactions on the
UWS while you’re waiting for a credit authorization. It
depends on how your system is set up and the type of
authorization you’re performing. This is called
suspending an authorization.