Bank Charges when NOT over limit!! (double hold)

t4554

Big day for the banks today, and here's how Alliance & Leicester are trying to take advantage of me.

I booked a flight and used by debit card to avoid the credit card surcharges. I had transferred funds from my savings to cover this.

When I checked my statement today I'm overdrawn but well within my O/D limit. However A&L have added 3x £25 charges. So I called them to ask why, their explanation:

The airline (KLM) preauthorised my debit card for the amount of the flights (sort of checking the funds are available and reserving them), then requested the funds. This should have settled the preauthorised transaction but instead the full amount was requested again.

On my online statement the transaction shows once, and I show an available balance. But A&L claim the preauthorised amount is removed from my running balance, and returned 7days later if the transaction is not settled.

I have searched for similar posts and find some in the US, they call it a double hold.

My questions are who's at fault, KLM, A&L or Visa as I guess its their clearing system.

What's the chances of me getting the charges back (I know its not the best day to ask the bank) as I'm not overdrawn, the funds only left my account once, and I had money to cover them. The 1st transaction only reserved the money.

Anyone else had similar?

davery83

I had this situation with A&L too. I had signed up for RAC membership (I had broken down, didn't have any membership and was 300 miles from home) so signed up over the phone and they took a payment for £100. However when I eventually got to an internet connection to check my online banking, I had been charged twice by them and A&L had charged me for one payment taken for not having enough money, then another for going overdrawn - eventually I got it back by getting RAC to refund it to me and prove to A&L that it was an error on their part.
It was over a year ago now, but I definitely got the charges back (within 2 weeks I believe) so persue it with A&L.
I'm not sure if it was the same situation ie whether it was this 'double hold' or they accidentally charged me twice but I hope it helps.
Good luck!

t4554

After calling A&L twice, writing to them twice, and after receiving 2 standard bank charges are fair letters. I started with MCOL, they acknowledged, but settled in full, at the very last minute.

natweststaffmember

Can you post up your MCOL and take out your personal details such as name and address and account number, etc,etc,
When did they settle?