SDC and Releasing Authorizations
Added 3/10/00
Version - 12.01 and Higher

The SDC credit card interface automatically releases authorizations under the following conditions:

• The credit card type is VISA.  VISA is the only credit card company that supports releasing or reversing authorizations. 
• A settlement transaction (i.e. - a payment) is submitted using the same credit card account that was originally processed.  As part of the settlement, the unused portion of the credit hold is released.
• The third party processor supports authorization reversals. 
• The card holder's issuing bank supports authorization reversals. 

Currently, it is not possible to manually release authorizations using the SDC credit card interface.  Since authorizations cannot be manually released, if a guest checks-in and an authorization is created for $1,000 and the guest later settles his folio with cash, check or another credit card, there is not a way for RDP to release the guest's credit hold. This is not a shortfall of the RDP system, it is a limitation of the electronic payment system.

• Note:  Credit card holds typically last 3 to 21 days, depending on several factors, including the third party processor and the issuing bank.