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How do “special transactions” or purchases that require pre-authorization work?

Certain purchases (hotels, restaurants, car rentals, gas stations, etc.) require pre-authorization and may temporarily hold money from your card balance that could be greater than the actual purchase amount. Once the purchase is processed, the money will be released, and your balance will be adjusted. Availability of the pre-authorized money can take up to 10 business days (up to 60 days for car rentals) to be released back into your card balance.