Payment Pre-Authorisation – What You Need to Know
You might notice a temporary hold on your card before your order is billed. This is called a pre-authorisation.
A pre-authorisation is a standard banking process where we check with your bank that your payment method has enough funds to cover your upcoming order. This helps us ensure your delivery goes ahead smoothly.
When might we pre-authorise your payment?
We may pre-authorise your payment if you pay by credit or debit card.
This can happen in two ways:
1. After you edit and save an upcoming order.
2. Automatically before your billing date – usually about 1 day before we charge you.
Will I be charged twice?
No, a pre-authorisation is not a payment. It’s just a temporary hold placed by your bank. When your actual billing date arrives, we either:
- Complete the charge using the pre-authorised amount, or
- Release the hold if the order changes or is cancelled.
Why do we do this?
Pre-authorising your payment:
- Confirms your payment method is active
- Reduces the risk of failed payments
- Ensures your delivery isn’t delayed or cancelled
How long does the hold last?
This depends on your bank. Most release the funds within a few days if we don’t complete the charge.
What if the pre-authorisation fails?
If your card can’t be pre-authorised, you’ll get a notification in your account area so you can update your payment method before your billing date.
Tip: If you see both a pre-authorisation and a payment in your account at the same time, the pre-authorisation will usually disappear once your bank finishes processing the payment.