Authorization Hold Times

susanna85

Hello,

I would be really greatful if someone could clear this up for me.

I made a purchase on amazon for around £1000 but when I changed the delivery type it change my card back to the default which is my debit card with Bank of Scotland.

As soon as I made the transaction I realized what happened and spoke to an advisor, he changed the payment card to my other card.

However, Amazon has put a hold on the money in my account. My rent is due tomorrow and I won't be able to pay it unless the authorization falls off. Does anyone know how long it will take for the fall off to happen?

I have tried to look on the bank of scotland website and it doesn't seem to mention it anywhere. I have read on wikipedia that it can take between 1 - 7 working days and the Amazon representative said it would take between 24-72 hours.

Any advise would be great!

Thanks

jonesMUFCforever

I feel it will take longer.
Contact the bank to see if they will offer you an overdraft until it can be sorted.

savagej

it takes 4 full working days with a Visa card and between 15 and 30 days with a Mastercard (both either debit or credit).

wyebird

Worth phoning your bank and explaining and asking if they will remove the authority. Co-op have done this for me on a number of occasions, usually caused by French "pay at pump" authorisations, which always authorise more money than I could hope to fit in the car, and consequently never match with the actual transaction!

pmduk

The exact period is set by the bank. I know RBS & Natwest is about 2-3 working days. I think Barclays and Co-op are 1 week.

savagej

The gme limts are set by Visa/Mastercard not by your banks.

Mikeyorks

savagej wrote: »

The gme limts are set by Visa/Mastercard not by your banks.

How can the authorisation time limit be set by Visa / Mastercard? If a debit doesn't materialise and the Bank software gives up waiting and returns it from 'available' ..... how can that be an external factor.

fairpoint

Its 5 working days for an authorisation to drop back off an account again provided amazon dont fully claim it, what I would advise is to call the bank and get the authorisation code and asking for advise ie overdrafts etc.

pmduk

If it was set by visa & mastercard, then there would be no difference between banks. As there is a variation your statement is wrong.

meer53

I've known authorisations take in excess of 10 days to disappear from accounts.

stclair

Im sure a poster who worked for the Halifax mentioned once a pre authorisation hold can be cancelled on request providing the account holder agrees to a disclaimer of some sort.

Do the Bank of Scotland and Halifax use the same system?