Quick Summary:
- A pre-authorisation is a temporary card hold, not a completed charge.
- Hola uses it to cover deposits, tolls, fuel rules, and fines.
- The hold amount and release timing depend on your bank and card.
- Bring a credit card in the main driver’s name to avoid delays.
If you are arranging car hire in Orlando, you will usually see a “pre-authorisation” at pick-up. This is one of the most common points of confusion for travellers, especially when they check their mobile banking and think they have been charged twice. In reality, a pre-authorisation is a temporary hold placed on available credit, not a completed purchase.
Hola requires a pre-authorisation because it helps the rental process run smoothly at the counter, and it protects both you and the rental provider from unexpected costs that can arise during or after the rental. Without the hold, you can face delays, changes to the rental terms, or in some cases an inability to collect the vehicle.
This guide explains how a pending hold differs from a charge, why it exists, what influences the amount, and what you can do to avoid pick-up issues at Orlando International Airport (MCO). For local context on arrivals and collections, see car hire at Orlando Airport (MCO).
What a credit-card pre-authorisation actually is
A credit-card pre-authorisation is a request sent by the rental provider to your card issuer to “ring-fence” a certain amount of your available credit. Your bank approves the request, and the amount appears as pending, authorised, or on hold. No money has left your account, and the provider has not received a payment.
Think of it as a temporary guarantee that funds are available if needed. Once your rental ends, the provider either releases the hold, if nothing needs to be charged, or converts part of it into a final charge for agreed items, with the remainder released.
Pending hold vs charge, the key difference
The simplest way to avoid confusion is to look at how each appears on your statement:
Pending hold (pre-authorisation): reduces your available credit limit, but it is not a settled transaction. It can disappear without ever becoming a charge. Your card issuer, not the rental desk, controls how quickly it drops off your account.
Charge (final payment): is a completed transaction. It settles on your statement and forms part of the balance you must repay. If you paid a rental amount online, that is typically a charge, separate from the pre-authorisation taken at pick-up for the deposit and contingencies.
People sometimes believe they have paid twice because they see both an online payment and a pending hold. In most cases, the online payment is for the rental itself, while the pre-authorisation is a separate temporary security amount.
Why Hola requires pre-authorisation for car hire in Orlando
Pre-authorisation is standard practice for car hire worldwide, and it is especially common in busy airport locations like Orlando. It supports faster handover and reduces disputes.
1) Security deposit and vehicle protection
The most direct reason is the security deposit. The deposit helps cover the excess, also called the deductible, on the rental agreement if the vehicle is returned with damage, or if a claim is made and you are responsible under the terms. Even if you have protection products, a deposit may still be required, and the amount can vary by vehicle group, supplier, and driver profile.
Different vehicles can have different deposit levels. For instance, larger vehicles may attract a higher hold. If you are considering a larger option, it can help to read the Orlando MCO vehicle pages such as van rental at Orlando MCO.
2) Fuel policy, tolls, and optional extras
Many rentals operate on a fuel policy that expects the car to be returned with a particular fuel level. If it comes back short, the provider may charge for refuelling and a service fee. The pre-authorisation helps ensure there is a valid payment method for any post-rental adjustment.
In Orlando, toll roads are common. Depending on your choices, toll charges can be billed after the rental, sometimes days later, once the toll operator confirms usage. Optional extras such as additional drivers, child seats, or upgrades can also change the final amount. The hold allows these to be processed without needing to re-run payment authorisations repeatedly.
3) Tickets, administrative fees, and late returns
Some costs do not show up until after you have returned the vehicle. Parking tickets, speeding tickets, and toll violations can be processed later, and rental agreements often include an administrative fee for handling them. Similarly, a late return can trigger additional rental time or fees. The pre-authorisation reduces the risk of a declined payment when those charges need to be applied.
How much is the pre-authorisation in Orlando?
There is no single universal number. The hold is typically based on a combination of vehicle category, protection level, supplier rules, and local taxes or surcharges.
When you compare options for car hire, it is worth checking the conditions for the specific supplier you are considering. For example, you can review supplier landing pages like Alamo at Orlando MCO or car rental at Orlando Airport to understand the type of information to look for before travel.
How long does the hold stay on your card?
This is where most frustration comes from. The rental provider can release the pre-authorisation once the car is checked in and the agreement is closed, but the time it takes to disappear from your banking app depends on your card issuer. Some banks release holds within 24 to 72 hours, while others can take longer.
Two practical tips help here:
1) Allow headroom on your credit limit. If your limit is tight, a hold can reduce available credit for hotels and other travel spending.
2) Keep your return paperwork. If a hold remains for an unusually long time, your closed rental receipt can help your bank investigate.
Why a debit card may cause pick-up issues
Many travellers assume any card will work. In practice, debit cards can be treated differently. A debit card hold can reduce your actual available bank balance, and some suppliers apply stricter requirements, such as additional ID checks, higher holds, or limited vehicle categories. Some may not accept certain debit cards at all for the main driver deposit.
Because the goal is to avoid counter delays, the safest approach is to bring a credit card in the main driver’s name with sufficient available limit. If you are collecting at MCO, this is particularly important because the desks are busy and staff must follow the supplier’s payment rules before releasing a vehicle.
Common misunderstandings that lead to delays
The card is not in the main driver’s name: most suppliers require the deposit cardholder to be the person named as main driver.
Insufficient available credit: even if you have money in your bank account, the credit limit must cover the hold.
Bank security blocks: international travel can trigger fraud checks, so it helps to notify your bank you are travelling.
Confusing a hold with a charge: calling your bank to dispute a pending authorisation can complicate pick-up or return.
Multiple holds from changes: if the agreement is amended at the counter, a new authorisation can be created while an older one is still pending, until the issuer releases it.
FAQ
Is a pre-authorisation the same as paying a deposit? No. A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold on available credit. A deposit payment is a charge that is actually taken and later refunded, which is less common for car hire.
Will I see both an online payment and a pre-authorisation? Often, yes. The online payment is usually for the rental price, while the pre-authorisation at pick-up covers the security deposit and possible post-rental items.
Can Hola remove the hold instantly when I return the car? Hola and the supplier can release the authorisation once the rental is closed, but your bank controls when it disappears from pending transactions.
What happens if my card does not have enough available credit? The supplier may be unable to release the vehicle, may require a different card, or may adjust terms based on their rules. Having sufficient available limit helps avoid delays.
Why is the hold sometimes higher than I expected? The amount can reflect vehicle category, supplier policy, protection level, local charges, and allowances for fuel, tolls, or extras. Checking rental conditions in advance reduces surprises.
