3 ms·
One example is at the gas station I have to tap/swipe my card to activate the pump and then I get charged when I'm done.
by dagw 6y ago
One example is at the gas station I have to tap/swipe my card to activate the pump and then I get charged when I'm done.
- lxgr 6y agoGas stations are an exception: They will usually pre-authorize a certain amount (usually some number that is not likely to be exceeded by reasonable gas tank sizes) and adjust downwards once the final amount is known. This is different from having different amounts in the chip transaction and in the "actual" transaction amount fields.
- kevincox 6y agoThis was annoying when gas prices were very high. We had a van with a massive tank and the pre-auth wasn't enough. We would hit the limit and need to drive to the next pump to continue.
- PeterisP 6y agoAt this gas station scenario, you have two transactions - the preauth, verified by the card, with a specific limit; and afterwards a transaction (not verified or even seen by the card) with the actual amount. The former is something that the card/phone can show and verify, as that is the actual amount you're authorising, even if you don't "spend" all of it.