Authorize.net Transaction Types

There are six different transaction types that can be submitted through Authorize.net. The transaction type can be set depending on how transactions are being submitted in the Merchant Interface or API.

1. Authorize and Capture

With an Authorize and Capture transaction, the process is completely automatic. The transaction is submitted to your processor for authorization and, if approved, is placed in your Unsettled Transactions with the status Captured Pending Settlement. The transaction will settle at your next batch. Settlement occurs every 24 hours, within 24 hours of your Transaction Cut-off Time.

2a. Authorization Only

When an Authorization Only transaction is submitted to Authorize.net, the transaction is sent to your processor for authorization. If approved, the transaction is placed in your Unsettled Transactions with a status of Authorized/Pending Capture. The authorization places the funds on hold with the customer's bank. When the transaction is captured, the funds transfer process will occur. This can be useful in situations where you need to make a sale, but won't be able to ship merchandise for several days. You can authorize the transaction to ensure funds availability, then capture the transaction to obtain the funds upon shipment. Authorization Only transactions are only kept in your Unsettled Transactions for 30 days. If the transaction is not captured for settlement within 30 days, the transaction status will change to Expired, and the funds will not be transferred.

2b. Prior Authorization Capture

Prior Authorization Capture transactions are used to capture funds for an existing transaction with a status of Authorized/Pending Capture, and can only be submitted from the merchant interface or API or web site integration.

For more information on capturing a prior authorization see:: How to capture a prior authorized transaction?

3. Capture Only

Capture Only transactions are used when you already have an authorization from a bank and don't need Authorize.net to obtain one for you. To use this type of transaction, you will need an authorization code from the card issuer, usually a five or six character alphanumeric code. For example, if you called a card issuing bank directly and obtained an authorization code over the phone, you would need to submit a Capture Only transaction to start the funds transfer process. You can manually submit a Capture Only transaction from your Virtual Terminal by selecting Capture Only or API or web site integration.

To submit a capture only transaction see: How do I submit a capture only transaction?

4. Credit/Refund

Credit/Refund transactions are used to return funds to a customer's credit card. By default, credit requests can only be issued for transactions that were originally charged through our system and only for 180 days after the original authorization was obtained. To issue a credit for a transaction not submitted through our system, or for a transaction submitted more than 180 days ago through our system. Credit requests can be manually processed through the Virtual Terminal by selecting or API or web site integration.

For more information on voiding see: How to issue a refund transaction?

5. Void/Cancel

Void requests are used to void an existing transaction with a status of Authorized/Pending Capture or Captured/Pending Settlement. Settled transactions cannot be voided; a CREDIT must be issued to reverse the charge in that case. Void requests effectively cancel the Capture request that would start the funds transfer process, so no money changes hands on a transaction that has been voided. Keep in mind that this does not necessarily void the authorization provided by the card issuing bank. Transactions can be manually voided from the Unsettled Transactions screen. From there, you can use the Group Void filter toward to the top of your screen to void multiple transactions at once, or click the individual Transaction ID of the transaction you would like to void, and the next screen will provide a Void button.

For more information on voiding see: How do I void transactions?