Pre-Authorization Holds & Releases

Pre-Authorization Charges on Your Gift Card

When using your Visa or Mastercard gift card at certain locations, a pre-authorization charge may automatically be added to your bill. This is common at:

• Restaurants
• Salons
• Gas Stations
• Hotels

How Pre-Authorization Affects Your Balance

• Temporary Hold: Pre-authorization charges are temporary holds that may exceed the actual purchase amount.
• Incorrect Balance: This hold can result in an incorrect balance being displayed on your card, making it appear lower than it is.
• Declined Transactions: If the pre-authorization amount exceeds the available balance, your transaction may be declined due to insufficient funds.

These pre-authorization holds usually clear within a few days, and your balance will be updated once the hold is released.