Clicking Payments Saves Credit Card Info

August 31, 2012

By

John

Improved: after entering a credit card number in a reservation, you can now click the Payments link and the credit card number will automatically save prior to the Payments box opening. This should help avoid accidentally not charging a guest’s credit card by going into the Payments window and clicking “Add Payment” when you actually intended to click “Charge Card.” This only applies to users with a CIM credit card processing option (such as Authorize.net).

Key Improvement: One-Click Save of Credit Card Info

On August 31, 2012, ReservationKey introduced a simple yet powerful enhancement: after you enter a credit card number in a reservation, clicking the Payments link now automatically saves that card before opening the payment window. This makes charging a card quicker and significantly reduces the risk of skipping the charge—particularly useful for users of CIM-style processors like Authorize.net.

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Why This Matters

  • Streamlined Workflow: No need to remember to click "Save" before "Add Payment"—just click Payments, and you're ready to charge.
  • Better Accuracy: Eliminates accidental misses, so guests are consistently charged when intended.
  • Processor Compatibility: Works seamlessly with CIM credit card processing setups like Authorize.net.

What to Know About CIM Processing

CIM (Customer Information Manager) allows ReservationKey to tokenize and securely store payment details via compatible gateways (e.g., Authorize.net). Once you've entered card information, it's tokenized so you can charge it later with a click—without needing to re-enter full card data.

How It Works

  1. Enter the guest’s card info in the reservation screen.
  2. Click the Payments link—this action auto-saves the card.
  3. The Payments dialog box opens, now charging-ready.
  4. Click "Charge Card"—it charges instantly, using the saved info.
  5. Done—card is charged and payment recorded, all in a few clicks.

This eliminates the confusion between “Add Payment” vs. “Charge Card.”

Note for Non-CIM Users

This “click-to-save” feature is specific to CIM processors like Authorize.net. If you're using other payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, Square), the card may still save—but behavior may vary. It’s best to check your integration settings. Bottom Line

ReservationKey’s update lets you click the Payments link and instantly have the credit card saved and ready. It's a smooth, safer process—saving time, reducing errors, and providing peace of mind.

Tip: If you're setting up CIM integration, give this feature a test run—enter a card, click Payments, then finalize the charge in one go. You'll see how it simplifies your reservation workflow.

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