United Airlines Debit Card Problem

exiledelbows

Hi everyone,

I hope this is in the right place. I booked a pair of flights with United to NYC the other day on my debit card for a total of £914.12. I checked my HSBC internet banking this morning and two transactions for £457.06 have come out, but my balance is 0 (should be about 700).

I called HSBC and they say that, as well as the above two transactions, United have placed a 'hold' on £914.12 and won't release it for five working days and I need to call United to release it early.

Unsurprisingly, I called United and they say only HSBC can release this as they can only see 1 authorisation. So I'm being passed from one to the other (wasting about an hour of my time) without getting anywhere.

Has anyone experienced this before? I now effectively have no access to funds for at least the next week and neither side is being particularly helpful, just blaming the other. Am looking to escalate tonight so just wondering on who's side I should do this?

Should I threaten chargeback as it's an administrative error (temporarily charged twice) or should I just wait? There's also DDs due out in the next few days.


Sorry if this is rambling, any help appreciated

agrinnall

To be honest I would ask the question on the Banking board where you are more likely to find someone who understands the machinations of the authorisation process. However, I doubt if chargeback is an option as there has been no unauthorised withdrawl from your account, you really need to pursue getting the hold removed.

dzug1

Chargeback could result in your flight being cancelled so approach warily

Your bank should be able to remove the hold - certainly some can. Santander (possibly A&L at the time) certainly managed it for me a few years back.

exiledelbows

Just to update: Spoke to HSBC and after 15 minutes back and forth they have reversed the second authorisation. Checked with United and they seem happy with that outcome too. A good news HSBC story for once:T