title Source for credit cards Products squareFree StuffsquareSite Map backgroundadvertise here
Basics of Credit Card
buttonCredit card processing
buttonBest credit cards
buttonCredit cards banks
buttonBusiness credit cards
buttonTeen credit cards
buttonSmall Business credit cards
buttonInstant Approval Credit Card
Credit Card Types
buttonTypes of credit cards
buttonSecured credit cards
buttonUnsecured credit cards
buttonStudent credit cards
buttonPrepaid credit cards
buttonCash back credit cards
buttonVisa credit card applications
buttonVirtual credit card
Credit Card Issues
buttonCredit card fraud
buttonCredit cards for bad credit
buttonCredit card debt
buttonHidden Costs In Credit Cards
buttonCredit Counseling
buttonDebt Consolidation
buttonCredit Card Late Fees
buttonIdentity Theft
Info On Credit Card
buttonFree credit cards
buttonCredit cards with reward
buttonImportant credit card info
buttonAirline credit cards
buttonInternet credit Card
buttonCredit cards balance transfer
buttonStudent Credit Card Guide
buttonLow Interest Credit Cards
buttonCredit Card Number Generator
Free Newsletter
Stay updated, sign up for our free newsletter to receive useful tips

*Full Name   

*Email Id



Authorization Only
In transactions stipulated as "authorization only," the purpose of the authorization is to reserve a specific amount of funds from the card's available credit limit for the purpose of covering a purchase. "Authorization only" transactions normally do not clear for three to five days.

An example of such an authorization occurs with credit card use at the gas pump. The machine authorizes for an amount larger than the intended purchase to guarantee the funds are available. The reason for this is that the price of gas fluctuates so that the consumer may not know exactly how much it will cost to fill the tank. If the card is authorized for $80 and the purchase is only $35, the remainder of the funds will be released back into the available credit balance when the transaction is finalized.

This process is not visible on the credit card statement and for the most part consumers were not aware of this type of authorization until the proliferation of debit cards made this brief "tying up" of available funds an issue with some card holders. For most credit card holders, the available credit line is sufficient to make "authorization only" transactions a non-issue.

More Credit-Card Terms Explained
Suggest an Article

Haven´t found the article you are looking for, please suggest your article. We value all your suggestions.

submit