Car rental, decoded
Pre-authorization
Also known as: authorization hold, pre-auth, hold
A temporary hold placed on the main driver's card at pickup to cover potential charges, fuel, or damage. The money is blocked, not taken, and is released after return, which can take several days.
Why it matters
A large hold can tie up available credit for the length of the rental and beyond, which matters if your limit is tight.
What you may think
This charge came out of my account.
What is actually happening
A pre-authorization usually blocks funds rather than taking them; the hold is released after you return the car, though it can take days to clear.