Have you ever wondered what a credit card hold is and when it might happen? A credit card hold is when a merchant temporarily reserves a certain amount of money on your credit card, usually before a big purchase. This is also known as a pre-authorization and commonly occurs at gas stations, hotels, and rental car companies where the final bill amount is uncertain. The good news is that these holds are temporary and the amounts reserved are not actually charged to you, so there’s no need to worry.
In addition to this type of credit card hold, there is another form known as an administrative hold. This occurs when a credit card issuer suspends your card due to missed payments, late payments, or exceeding your credit limit. During an administrative hold, you won’t be able to use your card until you pay off your balance.
When does a credit card hold happen?
Credit card holds are put in place by merchants to ensure that you have enough available credit on your card to cover a purchase. Once the final bill is paid, the hold is typically lifted.
For example, when you check into a hotel, the hotel may place a hold on your credit card to cover potential charges like “incidentals.” This hold is separate from the cost of your room. When you check out, the final charges are calculated, and the hold is removed. The same process applies when you use your credit card at a gas station. The station may place a hold for a certain amount, but you will only be charged for the actual amount spent once the hold is lifted.
The duration of a credit card hold varies depending on the type of transaction and the merchant. Most holds are released once the final bill is settled, but some may last for a few days to a few weeks. For example, a gas station hold typically lasts one to seven days, while a rental car hold may extend for the rental period plus a few extra days.
When a credit card hold can cause issues
While credit card holds are generally harmless, they may briefly impact your credit utilization, which is the amount of available credit you are using. However, this impact is temporary, and your credit scores are unlikely to be affected.
It is important to note that having less available credit due to a hold could potentially cause issues with expenses such as hotels, gas stations, and rental cars, especially if your credit card has a low limit or is close to being maxed out.