Quick Summary:
- One hold is the refundable deposit pre-authorisation for the vehicle.
- A second hold may cover tolls, fuel products, or optional extras.
- Holds can overlap when deposit amounts change or checks are repeated.
- Most holds drop automatically, but release timing depends on your bank.
Checking your banking app after collecting a car hire in Florida and spotting two separate “pending” amounts can be unsettling. In most cases, it is normal and temporary. The key point is that a “hold” is usually a pre-authorisation, not a payment, so the money has not been taken permanently, it is just ring-fenced by your bank until the car hire company finalises the agreement.
Florida rentals can show more than one hold because charges may be split between a security deposit and separate incidental authorisations, and because fuel, toll programmes, and upgrades are common at busy locations.
The two most common holds you might see in Florida
When you see two holds, it is usually because there are two separate reasons to reserve funds.
1) The car hire deposit hold (security deposit)
This is the main pre-authorisation applied at pick-up. The amount depends on factors such as vehicle group, rental duration, driver age, and what cover is included. If you are collecting at an airport counter, the deposit is typically taken at the point you sign and the rental agreement is opened.
If you are collecting around Miami International Airport, the process can vary by supplier and time of day, but the core idea is the same: the deposit is a temporary reservation, not an immediate charge. If you are comparing pick-up options, see car hire at Miami Airport (MIA) for location details.
2) An incidental hold (extras, fuel, tolls, or upgrades)
Some suppliers apply a second authorisation to cover incidentals that are not included in the base rental. This can happen if you add optional extras at the counter, accept a fuel product, or enrol in a toll programme that is billed separately. In Florida, toll roads are common, and toll handling is one of the biggest reasons customers notice unexpected pending amounts.
At busy leisure destinations, upgrades and extras can also be frequent. For example, travellers collecting near Orlando for theme parks sometimes add child seats or change vehicle size, which can trigger a separate authorisation. If you are picking up near the parks, Budget car hire near Disney Orlando (MCO) is a useful reference for that area’s pick-up context.
Why two holds can appear even if you did not add anything
The original deposit is replaced by a new one
If the rental agent needs to adjust the deposit amount after opening the agreement, perhaps due to a change in vehicle, return time, or cover selection, they may void the first authorisation and place a second for the updated amount. Your banking app may show both holds at the same time for a few days, because the first has been released by the merchant but has not yet dropped off your issuer’s pending list.
Chip and PIN retry, or a different card is presented
Sometimes the first authorisation fails, is partially approved, or is run again. If a card is inserted, then later tapped, or if the first attempt times out, it can leave a pending authorisation behind. Similarly, if you switch cards, you can see one hold on the first card and another on the second.
Debit card vs credit card behaviour differs
With debit cards, the hold can look like money has “gone”. With credit cards, it usually reduces available credit. Either way, it is still a temporary reservation, but debit card holds can feel more immediate and may take longer to clear depending on your bank’s rules.
Location-specific workflows
Some locations separate the rental agreement and certain add-ons into different merchant systems, so you may see different merchant descriptors. That does not automatically mean you have been charged twice, it may just be two authorisations from connected systems. If you are collecting in South Florida outside the airport, Thrifty car hire in Coral Gables (GBL) is an example of a local pick-up area where merchant descriptors can differ from airport counters.
What is normal on your bank app, and what is not
Usually normal: two pending transactions where one matches the expected deposit and the other is smaller, both marked “pending” or “authorised”. It is also normal to see a deposit amount that is higher than you anticipated if your bank app includes a buffer for incidentals, or if your cover type means a higher security amount is required.
Worth checking: two holds for the full deposit amount, especially if they are both still pending after several business days. It can still be an overlap, but you should verify whether one was released. Also check if the merchant name differs, or if one hold has converted into a completed transaction while the other remains pending.
Potentially a problem: you see two completed charges (not pending), or you see a completed charge when you have not returned the vehicle yet. Car hire deposits are typically authorisations, not completed charges. A completed transaction may indicate a different fee, a partial settlement, or an accounting error that should be clarified.
How long do holds take to drop off in Florida?
Release timing depends far more on your card issuer than on the location in Florida. Many authorisations disappear within 3 to 10 business days, but some can take longer, particularly on debit cards or with certain banks. If the rental company has released the hold, your bank may still show it until its authorisation window expires.
Steps to take if you see two holds
1) Match each hold to a line on your rental agreement
Your paperwork should show the deposit and any selected extras. Look for wording such as “auth”, “pre-auth”, “security deposit”, “deposit”, or “authorisation”.
2) Check whether one hold is reversing
Some banking apps show a “reversal” or “release” entry. Others simply remove the pending item without notice. If one hold is older and the other is newer, it may already be in the process of dropping off.
3) Confirm the payment method used at pick-up
If you tapped one card and later inserted another, you could have authorisations on both. Also check whether you used Apple Pay or Google Pay, as the tokenised card can display differently.
4) Ask the rental desk or customer support for the authorisation log
They can often see whether an authorisation was voided and re-authorised. This is especially helpful if you are travelling on a tight budget and the held amount affects spending.
5) Contact your bank only if needed
If the merchant confirms a release but the hold remains for an extended period, your bank can confirm the expected expiry date of the authorisation. Banks usually cannot remove it early unless the merchant sends a specific release, so focus first on confirming whether a release has been sent.
How to reduce surprises next time you collect
Keep enough available funds for a deposit plus a buffer
Even when you expect a single deposit, some suppliers build in an incidental buffer, and the final rental price can be settled separately. If you are travelling in a group and expect more luggage, a larger vehicle can mean a different deposit band. For airport collections where larger vehicles are popular, minivan hire at Miami (MIA) can be relevant when comparing vehicle types.
Decide on toll handling before you arrive
Florida tolls are common, and toll programmes can create separate billing flows. Knowing whether you will use a toll product, avoid toll roads, or pay tolls later can help you interpret any incidental authorisations.
Understand that pending does not mean charged
Many disputes start from reading a pre-authorisation as a charge. It is normal for your available balance to look lower until the hold expires or is released.
FAQ
Why do I see two pending amounts after picking up my car hire in Florida? Most commonly, one is the security deposit pre-authorisation and the other covers incidentals such as tolls, fuel products, or extras, or it is a replacement authorisation.
Have I been charged twice if both entries say “pending”? Usually not. Pending entries are typically authorisations, not completed charges. They can overlap while an older authorisation is being released by the merchant and cleared by your bank.
How long should I wait for a released deposit hold to disappear? Many holds drop within 3 to 10 business days, but timing varies by bank and card type. Debit cards can take longer because funds are held from your balance.
What should I do if both holds become completed transactions? Compare them to your rental agreement and return receipt, then contact the rental provider to explain what each charge represents. If something is incorrect, request a correction, then follow up with your bank if needed.
Can I avoid a second hold altogether? Not always. You can reduce the likelihood by keeping the same card throughout, confirming extras at the counter, and understanding toll and fuel options before signing the agreement.
