Before you complete a transaction with your card, the Merchant or other person involved in the transaction may obtain an authorisation (or “hold”) amount on your card. This authorisation may be used to establish that there are sufficient funds available on your card account before completing the transaction. Once a merchant gets an authorisation, it restricts the money that’s available on your card account by the amount of the authorisation. The amount can be held for up to 3 business days.
For example, you check into a hotel. You’ll be staying at the hotel for one night, and your accommodation will cost $180. The hotel gets an authorisation on your card for this amount. You have $300 available in your card account. The authorisation restricts your ability to withdraw the $180 needed to pay for your accommodation, so you can only access $120 until you pay for your accommodation or until the end of 3 business days.
Usually if the transaction is not completed by the merchant within the 3 business days, the authorised amount will automatically be removed and your ability to withdraw your funds will no longer be restricted.
If the transaction is completed, the authorisation amount will be replaced with the actual transaction amount.
If you require access to the held funds earlier than this, you will need to contact the merchant to send us a fax or email authorising the removal of the hold.