CC Pre-Authorization for bar tabs

[coffee4]

Where is this at in the beta process? Its one of my restaurant's priorities and is frequently brought up by both staff and customers.

[#2]

Hi @sadmonkeytx I can see why Pre-Auth would help out a lot in that situation!

Since you're using Square for Restaurants, you'll want to request access to the Square for Restaurants Next Gen Beta Community Group - The Beta folks overseeing that program will review your account and enable in a few batches every week.  That Beta Community is also a great place to share feedback or ask questions with fellow testers!

Pre-Auth with Square for Restaurants is still a closed Beta with a few limitations and requirements to participate, so you won't see the option to enable it until your account has been enrolled.

Once you're enrolled in the Beta test, you'll see the option for Pre-Authorization on the Dashboard under your Service Settings, and can create a new device profile where you'll be able to toggle on Pre-Authorization for that individual device.

Andy
Beta Specialist

[AndySQ]

Hi @SwanDriveIn that link will take you to the Beta Program for Pre-Authorization on Point of Sale.  It looks like you're primarily using Restaurants, so you'll want to request to join this Beta Program instead - Next Generation Square for Restaurants - this includes Pre-Authorization and several other improvements being tested for the Restaurants Platform.

[AndySQ · Accepted solution]

Andy from the Beta Team here!

We are running two Betas that offer Pre-Authorizations right now.  These are distinct tests, so you'll want to join the appropriate test for the Square application you use to accept payments; Point of Sale or Square for Restaurants.

Pre-Authorization Square Point of Sale - this is available to US Square accounts that are running up to date software.  It's in open beta, so anybody can access the feature and test.  More details are in our support article here:
https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/8058-bar-tabs-with-pre-authorization-for-square-point-of-sal...

The Beta Community for the Point of Sale Pre-Auth open beta is here, and you can request to join if you have feedback or questions for the board:
https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Bar-Tabs-with-Pre-Auth-for/gh-p/BarTabsPreAuthPOS

Square for Restaurants Next Generation - An ongoing closed beta for Square for Restaurants that includes Pre-Authorization and several other features.  This will go into Open Beta by the end of April, but if you're interested in using Pre-Authorization with Square for Restaurants, you can request to join here in the Beta Community:
https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Next-Generation-Square-for/cmp-p/grouphub%3ABarTabs

[sadmonkeytx]

Hi there! This is really exciting to know that Square is working on this feature. We have a bar as one location and a food truck set up as a different location which causes issues when a customer wants to order something from both locations. We have to hold on to their credit card behind the bar if they open a tab - but then give it back so they can go outside and order from the food truck.

Anyway, I have enrolled our business as a Beta Member and was wondering if it is possible to enable the pre-auth feature on a Square Register (via the online dashboard or register screen itself)? Thank you!

[AndySQ]

Hi @sadmonkeytx I can see why Pre-Auth would help out a lot in that situation!

Since you're using Square for Restaurants, you'll want to request access to the Square for Restaurants Next Gen Beta Community Group - The Beta folks overseeing that program will review your account and enable in a few batches every week.  That Beta Community is also a great place to share feedback or ask questions with fellow testers!

Pre-Auth with Square for Restaurants is still a closed Beta with a few limitations and requirements to participate, so you won't see the option to enable it until your account has been enrolled.

Once you're enrolled in the Beta test, you'll see the option for Pre-Authorization on the Dashboard under your Service Settings, and can create a new device profile where you'll be able to toggle on Pre-Authorization for that individual device.

Andy
Beta Specialist

[sadmonkeytx]

Hi @AndySQ,

I have requested access to the Beta Group and will keep an eye out for an approval email. Thank you for your response and for the detailed information!