Sometimes a reservation is unable to be finalized. When this happens, you may see a pending charge on your account.
What is a pre-authorization hold?
Before your booking is finalized, we place a temporary pre-authorization hold on your card for the full amount of the reservation. Pre-authorization confirms your card is valid and funds are available — it is not a charge.
The pre-auth appears on your statement as a pending transaction. If your booking also goes through, this can look like a double charge. It isn't.
Booking success
When your booking is finalized, the pre-authorization is replaced by the actual charge. The pending amount falls off automatically — typically within 1–5 business days, depending on your bank.
If your booking fails
The pre-authorization voids automatically, usually within six (6) hours. Your available funds are typically restored within 24–48 hours, though some banks take up to five (5) business days.
Debit cards and timing notes
Holds on debit cards may take 1–8 business days to be released. In rare cases, credit card holds can take up to 30 days to clear.
We cannot speed up your bank's release process. If the hold has not cleared after 10 business days, contact your bank directly and reference the transaction date and amount.
If you believe a charge on your account is incorrect — not a pending hold, but an actual posted charge — contact the Travel Desk.