Understanding Payment Statuses in Clubmate's Card Payment Portal
In Clubmate's Card Payment Portal, payment statuses such as 'Authorised' and 'Charged' provide important information about the progress of a transaction. Below, we explain what these statuses mean and their implications for both merchants and customers.
Overview of Payment Statuses
The payment process in the Card Payment Portal involves multiple stages, each represented by a specific status. Two key statuses are:
Authorised
Charged
These statuses indicate different stages of the payment lifecycle and help merchants track the progress of transactions.
Detailed Explanation of 'Authorised' and 'Charged'
Authorised
Definition: When a payment is 'Authorised,' the customer's bank has approved the transaction and placed a temporary hold on the funds. However, the funds have not yet been transferred to the merchant.
Implications: This status indicates that the payment is not yet completed. The merchant must finalize the transaction to receive the funds.
Example Scenario: If a customer initiates a payment, the 'Authorised' status confirms that the bank has approved the transaction, but the money remains in the customer's account until further action is taken by the merchant.
Charged
Definition: When a payment is 'Charged,' the merchant has finalised the transaction, and the funds have been successfully transferred from the customer's bank to the merchant's account.
Implications: This status confirms that the payment is complete, and the merchant has received the money.
Example Scenario: After a payment is 'Authorised,' the merchant processes the transaction, changing the status to 'Charged' to indicate that the funds have been transferred.
Common Scenarios and Their Implications
Authorised Entry with £0.00
What It Means: An 'Authorised' entry with a value of £0.00 occurs when a card is added to an account without an actual purchase or charge. This is a common scenario in cases where the system verifies the card's validity without initiating a payment.
Follow-Up Status: In this case, the 'Authorised' entry will not be followed by a 'Charged' entry with a non-zero amount because no payment was taken.
FAQs Related to Payment Statuses
Does 'Authorised' mean the payment is complete?
No, 'Authorised' means the bank has approved the transaction and placed a hold on the funds, but the payment is not yet complete. The merchant must finalise the transaction to change the status to 'Charged.'
What happens if a payment remains 'Authorised'?
If a payment remains 'Authorised' and is not finalised by the merchant, the hold on the funds will eventually expire, and the money will be released back to the customer's account.
Why do I see an 'Authorised' entry with £0.00?
This occurs when a card is added to an account for verification purposes without initiating a payment. It is a normal part of the card validation process.
Conclusion
Understanding the 'Authorised' and 'Charged' statuses in Clubmate's Card Payment Portal is essential for tracking transactions and ensuring smooth payment processing. By recognising the implications of these statuses, merchants can better manage their payment workflows, and customers can gain clarity on the status of their payments.