What is a payment authorisation rate? The share of card payments approved
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
A payment authorisation rate is the share of card payment attempts that the customer's bank approves. If 100 customers try to pay and 92 payments go through, the authorisation rate is 92%.
Why good payments get declined
- The card issuer's fraud checks flag an unusual purchase.
- Card details are out of date, such as an old expiry date.
- The customer doesn't have enough money or credit available.
- Security checks like 3D Secure fail or time out.
- The payment looks unusual because it comes from another country.
Why it matters
Every good payment that is declined is a lost sale, and some customers won't try again. Declines of genuine customers, often called false declines, can cost businesses more than fraud itself.
Ways to improve it
- Collect full, accurate billing details at checkout.
- Use card tokenisation or card updater services so saved cards stay current.
- Retry soft declines sensibly rather than straight away and repeatedly.
- Use a clear business name on statements so customers recognise the charge.
- Check decline codes to see which problems come up most.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay doesn't offer card machines or acquiring. SendPay platforms let you get paid with payment links, invoices and subscriptions, alongside GBP, EUR and USD accounts and branded Visa cards, powered by licensed partners.
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Authorisation rate calculator →Why do card payments get declined?
Common reasons include fraud checks, low funds and wrong details.
Declined payments →Read next
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.