Authorization · decode any status
"Authorization Hold"
Your bank set aside the funds for a charge that has not actually been completed yet. The money still belongs to you — it just cannot be spent elsewhere until the hold drops off (typically 1–7 days) or the merchant captures it.
Where you see this phrase
Hotel check-in, car rental, gas pump pre-auth, restaurants pre-tipping out, online order before shipment.
What you can do
Wait for the merchant to either capture the charge (turning it into a real transaction) or let it expire. Most authorisations release within 1–7 business days if not captured.
Other wordings for the same state
Other authorization phrases
A hold is placed; no money has moved yet.
“Pre-Authorization”
The merchant asked your bank to confirm funds are available and reserve them, but has not actually charged the card yet. Common pattern — the real charge follows when the service is delivered.
“Authorized”
Your issuer (the bank that issued the card) approved the request. Money has not moved yet — the merchant still has to "capture" the auth to actually receive the funds.
Other stages of the payment lifecycle
The same transaction passes through several stages — each with its own phrase library.