Batch Transaction

A batch is the total accumulation of captured transactions, usually credit card transactions, that a merchant has stored in their computer or point of sale machine. The batches will be processed at set intervals. Most merchants process their batches once a day.

Until the batch that a particular credit card transaction is in is processed, the credit card is not charged for the cost of the sale. With debit cards this is particularly noticeable. The debit will not be withdrawn from the customer's bank account until the merchant's batch is processed. This is why merchants should process their batches as often as possible. It is best to process batches once a day. This eliminates upsetting customers by them finding out they do not have enough funds when the batch is processed. Many merchants no longer do batch processing, but rather have immediate real-time processing, as today's merchants are able to use the power of the Internet.

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