It’s a common practice for gas stations to put up to a $50 hold on your credit card or debit card when you pay at the pump for your gasoline. It’s also extremely common for a hotel to put a “hold” on funds for staying in their hotel. They take your credit card or debit card during check in, so that they have it on file to cover any “incidentals”, like internet use, phone calls, movie rentals, or in-room bar use. What you may not realize is they can put a hold on $50 to $200 a night or more.
People using credit cards are less likely to be effected by the hold - but if you are nearing your credit card limit and you attempt to use the card at a restaurant later, you could be denied. If you try to avoid credit cards and rely on your debit card (linked to your checking account), you are of course limited to the amount of money you have in your account. Most people would experience some financial difficulty if $200 was held/frozen from their checking account for several days.
When traveling, try to use a credit card to book the room and for the “incidentals” that you won’t be using for the rest of the trip. If you don’t count on that card, you won’t have to worry about the “hold” the hotel puts on your money. If you like to pay for gas at the pump with your debit card, just be prepared to deduct at least $50 from the account, regardless of what you actually put into your tank for a few days until the transaction clears and the appropriate amount is deducted from the account.
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