How to do an Auth Only transaction (Desk 5000 / Move 5000)
Auth Only on a credit card machine reserves an amount against the cardholder’s available credit limit, as a pending transaction, without completing a sale. On an Ingenico Desk 5000 or Move 5000, press the Auth Only icon on the second screen (or Enter, then 4 – Auth Only), enter the amount and pass the terminal to the cardholder.
On this page
What does Auth Only mean?
An Auth Only transaction holds an amount on the cardholder’s credit limit for a period of time. It shows as a pending transaction on their card.
How do I do an Auth Only transaction?
- Press on Auth Only icon from 2nd screen (or press Enter to get to main menu and press 4 - Auth Only)
If you have invoice prompt, clerk id or password enabled key those in and press Enter
- Enter sale amount, press Enter
- Pass terminal to cardholder for insert, tap or swipe
If manually keying in card: will be prompt for expiry date, then press Enter follow remaining prompts
- Cardholder prompted to confirm amount
If tip is enable, cardholder will be prompted to tip %, tip amount or no tip
- Cardholder to insert, tap or swipe
- If card is inserted: cardholder prompted to select account and enter PIN
- If card is swiped: follow prompts to enter last 4 digits of card # and CVV (if enabled)
- Terminal will display APPROVED or DECLINED
- Terminal will print merchant copy of receipt, press Enter to print customer copy.
Common questions
What does Auth Only mean on a credit card receipt?
It means the amount was reserved (authorized) against the card’s available credit, not charged as a sale. It shows as a pending transaction for the cardholder.
How long does an Auth Only hold last?
About 7-10 days. After that it drops off the cardholder’s card.
I did an Auth Only by mistake. How do I turn it into a sale?
Complete a Force Sale. If you’re not sure, call Cartis support at 1-888-712-0770.
Updated November 2, 2026
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