Quick Summary:
- A fuel authorisation is a temporary card hold to cover refuelling.
- It is separate from the main security deposit for the vehicle.
- Holds usually drop after return, but timing depends on your bank.
- On statements, you may see pending amounts, then release or final charge.
When you pick up a car hire in New York, your payment card may be checked and then “pre-authorised” for one or more amounts. People often think it is all one deposit, but it is usually two different things, the main security deposit and a fuel deposit authorisation. Both are common at airports and city locations, and both are designed to protect the rental company if extra charges apply after you drive away.
This guide explains what a fuel deposit authorisation is, why it is separate from the main deposit, how the amounts are set, and what you should expect to see on your bank statement. The examples are described in plain terms rather than quoting fixed dollar figures, because amounts vary by supplier, vehicle group, location, and payment method.
What “fuel deposit authorisation” means
A fuel deposit authorisation is a temporary hold placed on your card to cover potential fuel-related charges. It is not the same as paying for a tank of fuel upfront, and it is not always taken as an actual charge at pick-up. Instead, it is a reservation of funds, similar to how some hotels pre-authorise for incidentals.
It exists mainly for one scenario, you return the car with less fuel than required under your fuel policy, and the supplier needs a way to collect the refuelling charge. Even if you intend to refill the car yourself, the supplier may still place a fuel-related hold, because they do not yet know how the car will be returned.
Fuel pre-authorisation vs the main deposit, the key differences
On New York car hire, you can see more than one pre-authorisation on the same day. Understanding which is which helps you avoid confusion when you check your online banking.
The main security deposit is linked to the risk of damage, theft, fines, toll administration fees, missing equipment, and other post-rental adjustments. It is usually the larger hold. The amount is often influenced by the car group, whether you take additional cover products, and sometimes by your age bracket or licence details. If you are hiring from major hubs like JFK or Newark, these policies are typically standardised, but the exact hold can still differ between brands and counters.
The fuel deposit authorisation is narrower. It is there to cover refuelling and sometimes a refuelling service fee if you return the car below the agreed fuel level. This hold is often smaller than the main deposit, but it can still be noticeable, especially if your available credit is limited.
Because the holds are separate, one can be released earlier than the other, or one can be converted into a final charge while the other drops off without any payment being taken.
Why amounts vary on New York car hire
People often ask for a single number, but in practice the amount you see is set by a combination of rules that can change by supplier and even by location. Here are the most common factors.
1) Fuel policy
If the rental is “full to full”, the supplier expects you to return it with a full tank. The fuel authorisation can be based on an estimate of a full tank plus a buffer. If the fuel policy is different, for example you prepay fuel or have a return-as-empty option, the authorisation may be structured differently, or the charge may be taken upfront rather than held.
2) Vehicle size
A compact car generally has a smaller tank than an SUV or van, so the fuel-related hold can be higher for larger vehicle groups. This is one reason you may see different authorisation amounts if you switch from a small car to a larger model at the counter.
3) Supplier and local practice
Even within New York area airports, companies do not always mirror each other’s processes. Some place a single combined authorisation that covers both deposit and fuel. Others split them into two holds. If you are comparing options, pages such as car hire at Newark Airport or SUV hire at New York JFK help you browse vehicle types and suppliers, but the counter will still apply the supplier’s deposit logic for that booking.
4) Card type and payment method
Credit cards are the most straightforward for authorisations, because the hold reduces your available credit limit rather than removing cash from your current account. Debit cards can be accepted by some suppliers, but holds may behave more like a pending charge, and release times can feel slower. Some suppliers also apply different deposit rules depending on the card type.
5) Optional extras and coverage choices
Taking additional coverage products may reduce the main security deposit, because the supplier’s exposure changes. However, it may not change the fuel authorisation at all, because fuel risk is unrelated to damage risk.
When is the fuel deposit authorisation released?
In most cases, the fuel authorisation is released after the car is checked back in and the rental is closed, provided you return the vehicle with the required fuel level and no fuel-related charges apply.
However, “released” has two stages:
Stage 1, the supplier releases the hold. This can happen quickly, sometimes the same day you return the vehicle, particularly if the return is processed promptly and the fuel level is clearly within policy.
Stage 2, your bank removes the pending authorisation. This is outside the supplier’s control. Many banks update pending card holds within a few days, but some can take longer, especially around weekends and public holidays. If you are checking a banking app, it may continue to show a pending amount even after the supplier has released it.
If you used a debit card, the impact can be more noticeable, because the pending amount can reduce your available balance. For travel budgeting, it is sensible to allow a buffer for the time it takes your bank to clear the authorisation.
How fuel holds and refunds appear on statements
It helps to know what you are looking at, because a hold does not always look like a hold.
Pending authorisation: Often shown as “pending”, “authorisation”, or similar wording. The merchant name might be the rental brand, the airport location, or a payment processor label. You may see multiple pending lines if the supplier separates fuel and main deposit, or if the initial authorisation is adjusted.
Completion or capture: If a fuel charge applies, the supplier may convert part of the authorisation into a final charge. That can appear as the pending amount disappearing and a posted transaction appearing, sometimes with a different final value.
Release without charge: If you refuel correctly, you usually do not see a “refund” as a separate incoming payment. Instead, the pending authorisation simply drops off. People sometimes expect a refund line, but for authorisations the more common behaviour is disappearance rather than reversal.
Adjusted authorisations: Some payment systems first place a higher hold and then replace it with a lower one once the rental is opened, or once certain checks are complete. You might briefly see two pending items. Usually, only one remains after the system refreshes.
How to avoid fuel charges on New York car hire
Most fuel disputes come down to timing and evidence. New York traffic, airport access roads, and last-minute detours can make it hard to refuel right before return, so plan ahead.
Refuel close to the return point: Try to fill up within a short drive of the return location. If you are returning to Newark, the final miles can include congestion, so refuelling too early can still result in a small drop on the gauge by check-in time.
Keep the fuel receipt: A receipt showing date, time, and location is useful if there is any query about the fuel level. It will not override a clearly underfilled return, but it can help if the gauge reading is borderline or if there is an admin error.
Understand the gauge tolerance: Some vehicles drop from “full” to “just under full” quickly. If your policy is full to full, aim for the click-off at the pump and consider topping up a moment later if the gauge is sensitive.
Check the fuel level at pick-up: Before leaving the lot, confirm the gauge matches the agreement. If it is not full, report it immediately so the record can be corrected. This is particularly helpful when you collect from busy counters, including suppliers you may see on pages like Hertz car hire at New York JFK or Hertz car hire at Newark EWR.
Fuel holds at JFK vs Newark, what typically changes
The core concept does not change between airports, but the surrounding experience can. At major hubs, returns can be fast-paced, and out-of-hours drop-offs may mean the vehicle is checked in later. That affects when the rental is formally closed, which then affects when authorisations can be released.
If you are hiring around Newark, including surrounding areas, you may see options described under car hire in New Jersey near EWR. Regardless of which side of the Hudson you start on, the fuel authorisation is still governed by the supplier’s fuel policy and how quickly the return is processed.
What to do if the authorisation has not disappeared
If it has been a few days since return and the fuel authorisation is still showing as pending, first distinguish between a pending hold and a posted charge. A pending hold often resolves on its own once your bank updates.
If it is posted as a charge and you believe it is incorrect, gather your documents, your rental agreement, return paperwork if provided, and your final fuel receipt. Then contact the supplier shown on the statement, because your bank may ask whether you have attempted to resolve it with the merchant first.
If you only see a pending authorisation and no posted charge, it is usually best to wait for your bank’s standard pending window. Banks differ, and some will not manually remove a valid authorisation even if the merchant has released it, because the hold is controlled by the card network’s settlement process.
FAQ
Is a fuel deposit authorisation the same as paying for fuel?
No. It is usually a temporary hold, not a purchase. You only pay fuel if you return below the required level or choose a fuel option that includes an upfront charge.
Why do I see two deposits on my statement for New York car hire?
Often it is one main security deposit plus a separate fuel authorisation. Some suppliers also adjust holds, so you may briefly see multiple pending lines.
When will the fuel authorisation be released after I return the car?
Typically after the rental is closed and the return is processed. Your bank then removes the pending hold, which can take several business days.
Will I see a refund for the fuel authorisation?
Usually not. Most authorisations simply disappear from pending transactions. A visible refund is more common when an actual charge was taken.
What if I returned full but was still charged for fuel?
Check your receipt and return documents, then query it with the supplier. A timestamped fuel receipt near the return location is the most helpful evidence.
