A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of an open ticket transaction in which incremental authorization operations are performed. The payment handling system may receive items to add to the open ticket, payment instruments for paying the cost of the open ticket or adjustments to any bill splitting arrangement throughout the life of the open ticket. As items are added, payment instruments are received, and/or adjustments are input, the amount allocated to the one or more payments instruments may be updated. Incremental authorization values may be determined for some or all of the payment instruments. When the amount allocated to a payment instrument exceeds the incremental authorization value, an authorization of the instrument is attempted and a new authorization value is determined. At the end of the interaction, the open ticket is closed and payment is executed.