Tekmatix has improved Calendar Payments to make an important distinction much clearer:

• Collecting a customer's card details for future use

• Allowing a customer to make a genuinely free booking

Previously, businesses could configure a $0 payment amount when they wanted to collect a customer's card details without actually charging them.

While this worked for card collection, it could create an unnecessary payment experience when an appointment genuinely became free.

For example, if a customer applied a 100% discount coupon, they could still be asked to enter their card details even though there was nothing to pay.

Tekmatix now separates these two scenarios with a dedicated Collect Card on File setting.

What's Changed With Calendar Payments in Tekmatix?

There are now clearer options depending on what you want to happen during the booking process.

You can choose to:

• Charge the customer upfront

• Collect their card details without charging them

• Allow a completely free booking without requesting payment information

This makes it much easier to create the right checkout experience for different types of appointments, services and booking offers.

What Is the Collect Card on File Setting?

The new Collect Card on File option is designed specifically for businesses that want to securely save a customer's payment details without charging them at the time of booking.

When Collect Card on File is enabled:

• Customers are asked to provide their card details during booking

• Their card is securely saved for future use

• The customer is not charged when they make the booking

• No payment transaction is created during the booking process

This gives you a dedicated way to collect a payment method without having to configure an artificial $0 transaction.

When Would You Use Collect Card on File?

This setting can be useful when you want payment details available for future charges but do not require an upfront payment.

For example, you may want to collect a card for:

• Appointments where payment will be taken after the service

• Consultations where the final amount may vary

• Businesses with cancellation or no-show policies

• Rentals or services where additional charges may apply later

• Bookings where staff will manually process payment at another stage

Instead of charging the customer immediately, Tekmatix can securely store their card details for future use.

What Happens With $0 and Free Bookings?

Tekmatix has also improved how Charge Upfront behaves when the final amount due is $0.

The booking process now looks at the final amount payable before deciding whether payment details need to be collected.

If the Final Amount Is Greater Than $0

Tekmatix will:

1. Ask the customer for their payment details

2. Collect the amount due

3. Process the payment normally

If the Booking Is Configured as $0

If the appointment or service has a $0 payment amount, Tekmatix will:

• Skip card collection

• Skip payment processing

• Allow the customer to complete the booking

There is no unnecessary $0 payment transaction.

If a Coupon Reduces the Booking to $0

If a discount or coupon reduces the final booking amount to $0, Tekmatix will also:

• Skip card collection

• Skip payment processing

• Complete the booking as a free booking

This is particularly useful for 100% discount coupons, complimentary bookings, promotional offers and free appointments.

If a Coupon Leaves an Amount Still Payable

If a coupon reduces the price but the customer still has something to pay, Tekmatix will collect the remaining balance normally.

For example:

Original appointment price: $100

Discount coupon: 25%

Final amount due: $75

Tekmatix will request the customer's payment details and process the $75 payment.

Collect Card on File vs Charge Upfront

The easiest way to understand the difference is to think about your intention.

Choose Collect Card on File When:

You want the customer's card details saved, but you do not want to charge them during the booking.

Choose Charge Upfront When:

You want Tekmatix to collect payment during the booking process whenever there is an amount greater than $0 to pay.

If the final amount becomes $0, payment collection is skipped automatically.

Why This Calendar Payment Update Matters

This change creates a cleaner experience for both businesses and customers.

For customers, it means they are no longer being asked to enter card information when their booking is genuinely free.

For businesses, it means card collection and payment collection can now be configured as two separate actions.

That gives you much more control over how your booking and payment process works.

It also helps eliminate confusing situations where customers see payment fields even though their final balance is $0.

Example: A 100% Discount Coupon

Imagine you offer a consultation for $150.

You send a VIP customer a coupon that gives them a 100% discount.

Previously, depending on your payment configuration, the customer could still be presented with payment fields even though their final total was $0.

With the updated Tekmatix Calendar Payments experience:

Appointment: $150
Coupon: 100% discount
Final amount: $0
Card required: No
Payment processed: No

The customer simply completes their free booking.

Example: Save a Card Without Charging the Customer

Now imagine you offer a service where customers pay after their appointment.

You still want a valid card securely stored before confirming the booking.

Enable Collect Card on File.

The customer will enter their card details during the booking process, but Tekmatix will not charge them.

Their card can then be available for future payment use where supported by your payment setup.

A Better Booking Experience for Free and Paid Appointments

The updated Calendar Payment settings make the booking experience much more intuitive.

Instead of using a $0 payment configuration as a workaround for collecting card details, you can now explicitly tell Tekmatix what you want to happen.

Use Collect Card on File when you need payment details without an immediate charge.

Use Charge Upfront when customers should pay during booking.

And when the final amount due is genuinely $0, Tekmatix can simply let the customer complete their booking without unnecessary payment steps.

It's a small change that can make your checkout process feel considerably cleaner, simpler and more professional for your customers.