How is a per-transaction spend limit set on an individual card?
Short answer
A per-transaction spend limit is set by an administrator in the card management system by entering a maximum dollar amount that can be charged in a single purchase. Any transaction exceeding this limit is automatically declined during authorization.
On Ramp, admins set per-transaction limits in the "Max transaction amount" field when creating or editing a card or fund, and the limit takes effect immediately.
How per-transaction limits work
A per-transaction limit creates a hard ceiling on individual purchases. If an employee attempts to charge more than the configured amount in a single transaction, the payment is declined automatically during authorization, regardless of how much budget remains on the card. The cardholder receives an SMS notification when a transaction is declined due to exceeding the max transaction limit.
Per-transaction limits work alongside other controls:
- Periodic limits (daily, monthly, yearly) control total spend over time
- Category restrictions limit which merchant types can be charged
- Merchant restrictions allow or block specific vendors
- Auto-lock dates disable the card after a set date
These controls can be configured for cards and funds, though specific availability may vary by control type.
Setting a per-transaction limit on Ramp
Admins can set per-transaction limits when creating a new card or editing an existing one.
When creating a new card:
- Go to Funds & cards and click Issue funds
- Fill in the cardholder, card name, amount, and frequency
- Scroll to Spending controls and restrictions
- Enter a dollar amount in the Max transaction amount field
- Click Save changes
When editing an existing card:
- Go to Funds & cards and select the card or fund
- Click Actions > Edit
- Scroll to Spending controls and restrictions
- Enter or update the Max transaction amount field
- Click Save changes
The limit applies immediately. Any transaction above the configured amount will be declined during authorization.
Common scenarios
Preventing large unauthorized purchases: Set a $500 per-transaction limit on employee cards to prevent individual charges from exceeding approved amounts, even if the monthly budget is $2,000.
Vendor-specific controls: Issue a virtual card for a SaaS vendor with a $1,000 per-transaction limit to prevent overcharges or unexpected renewal fees.
Temporary increases: An employee can request a temporary per-transaction increase for a one-time purchase. Admins approve the request, and the limit resets at the end of the period.
Related questions
Yes, spend program limits can reset on daily, weekly, or monthly cycles. Administrators configure the reset frequency when creating the program, and the limit automatically renews at the specified interval based on the selected schedule.
Read moreA budget is a strategic financial plan that allocates resources across departments or categories over a set period (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually). A spend limit is a real-time control that restricts how much can be spent on individual transactions, categories, or cards at the point of purchase.
Read moreWhen an employee becomes eligible for a spend program, they receive spending authority with configured limits, controls, and approval workflows. When they no longer qualify or their card is terminated, their card is deactivated, and all transaction history is preserved for compliance.
Read more