Threshold Events · Reserve now, pay only if it happens
Two very different things
An authorization hold is not a charge. Here's the difference.
Regular ticket
Charged immediately
Money leaves your account the moment you buy. Refunds require the organizer to act. You own the ticket whether or not the event is any good.
Threshold reservation
Authorization only
Your card is reserved, not debited. No money moves yet. The hold only converts to a real charge if the event's goal is met — otherwise it vanishes on its own.
Step by step
Every threshold reservation follows the same flow from "I'm in" to outcome.
You tap "Authorize & Reserve." Your bank places a hold on the funds — they're earmarked but not transferred anywhere.
The event has a goal — a minimum number of attendees or revenue. When the deadline passes, we check whether it was reached.
Goal met → hold converts to a charge, event is confirmed. Goal missed → hold releases automatically. You owe nothing either way.
Goal reached
Your hold converts to a real charge. The event is confirmed and you'll receive a confirmation email. See you there.
Goal missed
The authorization is released automatically. No one pays a cent. No refunds needed — nothing was ever charged.
What you'll see in your bank app
When you authorize a threshold reservation, your bank shows a pending hold — not a debit. Think of it exactly like checking into a hotel: the hold reserves your spot. If the event confirms, it converts to a charge. If not, it disappears from your pending transactions.
Recent transactions
WOMBIE EVENT RESERVATION
Authorization hold · pending
−$42.00
PENDINGThis hold appears immediately but only converts to a real charge if the event confirms. Your money never leaves until the goal is met.
Common questions
You'll see a pending authorization labelled "WOMBIE EVENT RESERVATION." This is a hold, not a debit — the amount is earmarked but has not left your account. Most banks show it as a pending or temporary item.
Only if the event's goal is met by the deadline. When the threshold is crossed, we capture the authorization — that's when the real charge happens. If the goal is missed, the hold expires automatically and no charge is ever made.
If the event is cancelled after your card has been charged, you'll receive a full refund to your original payment method. Refunds typically appear within 5–10 business days depending on your bank.
Yes — while the authorization is still active and the event's goal hasn't been reached, you can cancel from your orders page. Cancelling releases the authorization immediately.
Card authorizations are valid for 7 days on Stripe. For events with deadlines within that window, your authorization converts or releases before it expires. Your reservation in the system remains active regardless.
Your reservation stays active even if the original hold expires — your spot is held in the system. If the goal is met, we'll reach out to complete payment. You will never be charged without a chance to confirm.