Pre-Authorizations {#payments-processing-pre-auth-intro}
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This section provides the information you need in order to process a pre-authorization.  
A pre-authorization enables you to authorize a payment when the final amount is unknown. It is typically used for lodging, auto rental, e-commerce, and restaurant transactions.  
For a pre-authorization:

* The authorization amount must be greater than zero.
* The authorization must be submitted for capture within 30 calendar days of its request.
* When you do not capture the authorization, you must reverse it.  
  In the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, Mastercard charges an additional fee for a pre-authorization that is not captured and not reversed.  
  In Europe, Russia, Middle East, and Africa, Mastercard charges fees for all pre-authorizations.
* Chargeback protection is in effect for 30 days after the authorization.

Endpoint {#payments-processing-pre-auth-intro_d7e16}
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**Production:** `POST ``https://api.visaacceptance.com``/pts/v2/payments`{#payments-processing-pre-auth-intro_d7e25}  
**Test:** `POST ``https://apitest.visaacceptance.com``/pts/v2/payments`{#payments-processing-pre-auth-intro_d7e35}