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How to Enable the Pre-Register Credit Card Option

TL;DR

Turn on the pre-register credit card option in your event’s payment settings to let guests securely add their card ahead of time. This reduces check-in lines, speeds up payments, and improves the guest experience.

Author: Tom Kelly 2 min reads

Why Pre-Registering Credit Cards Helps Your Event

Enabling pre-registration for credit cards is one of the easiest ways to speed up your auction’s check-in and checkout process. When guests store their payment details before arrival, you eliminate bottlenecks, reduce manual data entry, and ensure smoother payment processing during and after the event.

Step 1: Go to Payment Settings

  1. Log in to your event dashboard.
  2. Select the event where you want to enable credit card pre-registration.
  3. Click “Settings” or “Payment Settings.”

Step 2: Locate the Pre-Registration Option

  • Scroll to the “Credit Card Pre-Registration” section.
  • Toggle or check the box to Enable Pre-Registration.
  • Save your changes.

Once enabled, guests will see the option to enter their credit card during registration.

Step 3: Guest Experience When Enabled

When this setting is on:

  • Guests are prompted to securely add a credit card during event registration.
  • The card is tokenized and stored securely for later charges.
  • No payment is processed until a winning bid, donation, or purchase occurs.
  • Guests can update or remove their card at any time before checkout.

Step 4: Admin Benefits

  • Faster event check-in with fewer manual entries.
  • Reduced errors and delays at checkout.
  • Automated payment collection once the auction closes.
  • Easier follow-up for unpaid balances.
  • Less need for handling physical cards on-site.

Step 5: Best Practices

  • Announce pre-registration in your event invitations.
  • Encourage guests to register their cards at least 24 hours before the event.
  • Use clear language to reassure guests their payment information is secure.
  • Remind bidders they won’t be charged unless they win or make a purchase.

Step 6: Test the Registration Flow

  • Use a test guest account to walk through the registration process.
  • Verify the credit card prompt appears correctly.
  • Confirm the card is saved to the guest profile securely.

Testing ensures the process works smoothly before sending invitations to attendees.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Pre-Registration

  • Pair this setting with early guest registration for maximum efficiency.
  • Use reminder emails to encourage guests to pre-register their cards.
  • Train staff to confirm pre-registration at check-in for a seamless experience.
  • Include pre-registration instructions in confirmation emails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pre-register credit card option?

It allows guests to securely store their credit card information during registration so they can check in and pay faster at the event.

Is the credit card charged when guests pre-register?

No. The card is stored securely but not charged unless the guest wins an item, makes a donation, or buys something during the event.

Is the payment information secure?

Yes. All payment data is tokenized and stored securely through a PCI-compliant payment processor. Your organization never sees card details.

Can guests skip pre-registering their card?

Yes. Guests can skip and add a card later at check-in or checkout. But encouraging early registration speeds up the process significantly.

Can I turn this feature off after enabling it?

Yes. You can disable the pre-register credit card option anytime in your payment settings, even after registration has started.

Do guests need to re-enter their card at checkout?

No. Once a card is saved, it can be used for any winning bids or purchases without re-entering information.

Can I see which guests pre-registered their cards?

Yes. You can view a list of pre-registered guests in your attendee or payment reports within the dashboard.

Can guests update their payment method later?

Yes. Guests can log in to their account anytime before checkout to update or remove their card information.

Is pre-registration required to participate?

No. Pre-registering is optional but strongly recommended for faster check-in and payment processing.

Can this feature be used for virtual events?

Yes. Pre-registering credit cards works for both in-person and virtual auctions, giving bidders a seamless checkout experience.

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Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly, TEDx speaker and CEO of CharityAuctions.com, helps nonprofits raise millions through auctions and AI. He hosts The Million Dollar Nonprofit podcast and inspires leaders to live their legacy, not just leave it.

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