A payment hold (also called an authorization or pre-authorization) reserves funds on the renter's card without actually charging them. Capturing the hold converts it into an actual charge.

How Holds Work

1. A hold is placed on the renter's card for a specific amount (e.g., $500 security deposit)
2. The funds are reserved on the card but not charged
3. When you capture, the reserved amount is charged to the card
4. If you release instead, the hold is removed and the funds become available again

How to Capture a Hold

1. Open the rental detail view
2. Go to the Payments tab
3. Find the active hold in the payment list
4. Click Capture
5. Optionally adjust the capture amount (you can capture less than the original hold)
6. Confirm

Partial Capture

You can capture less than the original hold amount. For example, if you held $500 for a security deposit and the renter returned the vehicle with minor damage costing $200, you can capture just $200 and the remaining $300 is released.

Hold Expiration

Payment holds expire after 7 days (Stripe's standard authorization window). If you don't capture within that period, the hold is automatically released. Plan your capture timing accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I capture more than the hold amount?
No. You can only capture up to the original hold amount. If you need more, take a separate payment for the additional amount.

What's the difference between capture and taking a payment?
A hold reserves funds without charging. Capture converts the reservation into an actual charge. Taking a payment charges the card immediately with no prior hold.