New Credit Card Authorization Holds

[Farro]

The point is A LOT of people don't want to carry debit or credit cards around the parks, as they would then need to also carry ID, they want to go out with nothing but their magic band and to some degree that makes perfect sense, as that is how Disney billed the magic bands when being introduced.

I guess? I can't recall the last time I was asked to show ID when I used a credit card. And I always carry my license with me anywhere I go. Especially when I know I'm going to have some cocktails or wine - not that I get carded much anymore, sniff sniff.

Well, it wouldn't be a hardship for me.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I would agree if they followed standard practices for credit card holds, but they are going way overboard on the holds and that is why I think there is more to it.

I think the holds in excess of standard resort/cruise practices is just Disney IT messing it up.

My guess is that within a week or 2 the holds will be the industry standard (essentially a hold of about equal to the actual charge that will fall off within a week of check out).

 

[StageTek]

Never mind - I should have read the whole thread.
Sorry

 

[Farro]

I recently got back from a 7 day trip. They put a $100 hold on my card. Day two nothing. Day three nothing. Day four nothing. Day five they authorized a charge to my CC then put a $100 hold on my card. I was not on the dining plan, I charged everything to my MB

They did not put a $100 hold then a $200 hold then a $300 hold then a $400 hold. From what I saw looking at my CC info was at no point in the 7 day trip did they have more than a $100hold on my card.

The new policy just started on 2/27.

 

[Patches Lee]

In theory since I purchased GC for spending it means the same amount in the account to actually use the charge privileges if I'm understanding this correctly. Or since I am in DDP scan MB for dining credits and still carry a GC for tips and spending. So much for not worrying about losing my wallet.

 

[Nancyg56]

The point is A LOT of people don't want to carry debit or credit cards around the parks, as they would then need to also carry ID, they want to go out with nothing but their magic band and to some degree that makes perfect sense, as that is how Disney billed the magic bands when being introduced.

I understand. For me there really is nonisdue because I carry ID and often a Disney rewards card. Using my debit card or cash is not problematic, but I know god done it’s a pain.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

For those that use gift cards in the park is it hard to keep track of the balance? Also can a tip be put on the gift card?

 

[Searc]

For those that use gift cards in the park is it hard to keep track of the balance? Also can a tip be put on the gift card?

They will sometimes write the new balance on the back of the card. I am not sure if the receipt shows the new balance.

 

[DISNEY1975]

From Disney....

If your spending exceeds the original $100 hold, additional incremental holds will be created automatically. The authorization holds on the card will not exceed the current balance due plus $100.

Can I opt-out of the authorization holds?

Yes, you will have the option of not putting a credit card on file. However, you will be unable to charge to your room or MagicBand if you do not put a credit card on file.


So how I read it....they will put a $100 hold on my card.

Day 1 - I spend $300, the hold will turn into $400
Day 2 - I spend $100, the hold will turn into $500 (I owe $400, plus $100 hold)
Day 3 - I spend $150, the hold will turn into $650 (I owe $550, plus $100 hold)
Day 4 - I spend $200, the hold will turn into $850 (I owe $750, plus $100 hold)
Day 5 - I spend $200. My CC will be charged $950 and a $100 hold will be on my card
Day 6 - I spend $150, the hold will turn into $250 (I owe $150, plus $100 hold)
Day 7 - I spend $200, the hold will run into $450 (I owe $350, plus $100 hold)
Day 8 - Checkout. My CC is charged $350 and within 7 days the $100 hold will be lifted.

If you check out anytime prior to Day 5, your CC will be charged the amount owed and the $100 hold will be lifted.
If you do not charge more than $100 during your entire stay, you will never have more then the initial $100 hold on your card

Basically Disney is only holding $100 hostage until you check out (or possibly a few days after checkout depending on your banks terms of how long to hold without a real authorization).

If you are planning to use GCs as form of payment, unfortunately you will have to carry those around and use at the time of purchase otherwise, your CC will hold the amount due plus $100 until you apply the GC payment. It could take a few days for the entire hold to come off. It would be wide to just pay as you go with only $100 being held for incidentals.

If you choose to not even have $100 held, as stated above you can opt out, but you will not be able to charge to your room.

Personally, I like to carry my Disney CC, as I get 10% off at most stores. If I charge my purchases to my room, I dont get the discount. I only apply tips and alcohol to my MB during our stay. If you dont have or dont want to use a CC for that, just carry a gift card / debit card around. And ALWAYS carry ID. Anything could happen and you should always be able to be identified!!! I cant even count how many times my fingerprint didnt work going into at the parks and I had to show ID. Nowadays they make so many clip on card holders, wristlets, lanyard pockets etc.. you can still be hands free.

 

[Farro]

From Disney....

If your spending exceeds the original $100 hold, additional incremental holds will be created automatically. The authorization holds on the card will not exceed the current balance due plus $100.

Can I opt-out of the authorization holds?

Yes, you will have the option of not putting a credit card on file. However, you will be unable to charge to your room or MagicBand if you do not put a credit card on file.


So how I read it....they will put a $100 hold on my card.

Day 1 - I spend $300, the hold will turn into $400
Day 2 - I spend $100, the hold will turn into $500 (I owe $400, plus $100 hold)
Day 3 - I spend $150, the hold will turn into $650 (I owe $550, plus $100 hold)
Day 4 - I spend $200, the hold will turn into $850 (I owe $750, plus $100 hold)
Day 5 - I spend $200. My CC will be charged $950 and a $100 hold will be on my card
Day 6 - I spend $150, the hold will turn into $250 (I owe $150, plus $100 hold)
Day 7 - I spend $200, the hold will run into $450 (I owe $350, plus $100 hold)
Day 8 - Checkout. My CC is charged $350 and within 7 days the $100 hold will be lifted.

If you check out anytime prior to Day 5, your CC will be charged the amount owed and the $100 hold will be lifted.
If you do not charge more than $100 during your entire stay, you will never have more then the initial $100 hold on your card

Basically Disney is only holding $100 hostage until you check out (or possibly a few days after checkout depending on your banks terms of how long to hold without a real authorization).

If you are planning to use GCs as form of payment, unfortunately you will have to carry those around and use at the time of purchase otherwise, your CC will hold the amount due plus $100 until you apply the GC payment. It could take a few days for the entire hold to come off. It would be wide to just pay as you go with only $100 being held for incidentals.

If you choose to not even have $100 held, as stated above you can opt out, but you will not be able to charge to your room.

Personally, I like to carry my Disney CC, as I get 10% off at most stores. If I charge my purchases to my room, I dont get the discount. I only apply tips and alcohol to my MB during our stay. If you dont have or dont want to use a CC for that, just carry a gift card / debit card around. And ALWAYS carry ID. Anything could happen and you should always be able to be identified!!! I cant even count how many times my fingerprint didnt work going into at the parks and I had to show ID. Nowadays they make so many clip on card holders, wristlets, lanyard pockets etc.. you can still be hands free.

But that isn't what's happening at the moment. Read up the thread for what actually is the process at the moment. From DisneyCowgirl - We checked into Boardwalk Wednesday. Room only, so sizable balance still due. They charged balance plus $100 that morning (still shows as pending on card). We do charge back to the room and exceeded that $100 quickly. Yesterday another pending amount showed up for the full amount I owed at checkin plus $200 this time. So now I have 2 huge pending amounts on my card. If they try that again today, we’re going to be pushing up against the limit on this card.

 

[cmwade77]

But that isn't what's happening at the moment. Read up the thread for what actually is the process at the moment. From DisneyCowgirl - We checked into Boardwalk Wednesday. Room only, so sizable balance still due. They charged balance plus $100 that morning (still shows as pending on card). We do charge back to the room and exceeded that $100 quickly. Yesterday another pending amount showed up for the full amount I owed at checkin plus $200 this time. So now I have 2 huge pending amounts on my card. If they try that again today, we’re going to be pushing up against the limit on this card.

Exactly, of it was happening as described, that would be fine, but it currently doesn't appear to be happening that way.

 

[Wood Nymph]

For those that use gift cards in the park is it hard to keep track of the balance? Also can a tip be put on the gift card?

We used a gift card and the balance remaining on the gift card after your purchase is listed on the receipt. The CM will often circle the amount on the recipt and they usually tell you what your remaining balance is. You can add a tip to the gift card. We did this Friday. They run the gift card, bring back the receipt with your card, you add the tip and leave the receipt, but keep your gift card. They can deduct the tip from t he gift card without having to take the card back with them.

But that isn't what's happening at the moment. Read up the thread for what actually is the process at the moment. From DisneyCowgirl - We checked into Boardwalk Wednesday. Room only, so sizable balance still due. They charged balance plus $100 that morning (still shows as pending on card). We do charge back to the room and exceeded that $100 quickly. Yesterday another pending amount showed up for the full amount I owed at checkin plus $200 this time. So now I have 2 huge pending amounts on my card. If they try that again today, we’re going to be pushing up against the limit on this card.

I tend to be very skeptical and since only one person reported this I will wait until we hear from someone else to see if this happens routinely.

 

[Farro]

We used a gift card and the balance remaining on the gift card after your purchase is listed on the receipt. The CM will often circle the amount on the recipt and they usually tell you what your remaining balance is. You can add a tip to the gift card. We did this Friday. They run the gift card, bring back the receipt with your card, you add the tip and leave the receipt, but keep your gift card. They can deduct the tip from t he gift card without having to take the card back with them.



I tend to be very skeptical and since only one person reported this I will wait until we hear from someone else to see if this happens routinely.

I'm sure they will figure it out. At least I'm sure they will figure it out by the time I arrive in 430 days.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard more reports now that this has been happening for a few days. Hopefully we'll get more information as people return home.

 

[Farro]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard more reports now that this has been happening for a few days. Hopefully we'll get more information as people return home.

Lots of people with big credit lines.

Maybe they fixed it by now.

 

[Patches Lee]

Lots of people with big credit lines.

Maybe they fixed it by now.

I just wish we had the option to put a GC on file. Out of all the tech for MB it seems illogical to still not have that option.

 

[LovePug]

I'm not sure if this has been asked before and I apologize if it has been...I have done online check in-Once I check in, am I able to remove the card from the account at that point? (Essentially releasing the $100 hold at that time rather than after I get home.)

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm not sure if this has been asked before and I apologize if it has been...I have done online check in-Once I check in, am I able to remove the card from the account at that point? (Essentially releasing the $100 hold at that time rather than after I get home.)

You would be able t o take your credit card off your room when you check in. Just ask them to do it.

 

[Stitch83]

For those that use gift cards in the park is it hard to keep track of the balance? Also can a tip be put on the gift card?

We register the gift cards on disneygiftcard.com You can load up to 5 cards, check balances and transfer funds between cards. It is great in case you lose your card you just transfer over to a new card.

 

[PJofNB]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard more reports now that this has been happening for a few days. Hopefully we'll get more information as people return home.

We are just back, checked out 2 March after arriving 21 February. In our case, starting 27 February, successive holds were placed on my credit card to keep the total at no more than the balance owing plus $100. (My bank lists these as "pending transactions" but states that in some cases, pending transactions are pre-authorizations that are later adjusted to match the actual charge; they give gas stations as the most common example.)

Specifically, on 27 March we had a small balance owing against room charges from the previous couple of days. A hold for this amount plus $100 was placed on the 27th. On the 28th, we charged a number of meals to our room using our magic bands and made a few small purchases. When the total of these new charges exceeded $100, a new hold for the additional charges was placed. In the evening of the 28th, we charged some additional souvenirs using our magic bands. A second hold on the 28th was added for the additional amounts after the transaction that brought the total of the new charges over $100. A third new hold appeared on the 28th after an additional purchase that exceeded $100.

So, by the end of the day on the 28th, we had four separate holds on our card, with the total of all four holds equal to the amount owing on our room charges plus $100. A new hold was placed each time a series of small charges accumulated to exceed $100 or after any single charge greater than $100.

We used cash to pay off most of the balance owing in room charges on 28 February, but added some new charges on 1 March and made an additional cash payment that evening. My bank currently shows a "pending credit" dated 1 March that offsets the 4 holds from 27 & 28 February and a pending charge for the correct net charges against the room, considering accumulated charges less the cash payments. This appears to be the pre-checkout charge to my card to clear the balance owing. We made some additional charges to the room for breakfast the morning of checkout; these currently appear as a pending charge dated 2 March.

In summary, the transactions appear reasonable. I will see what happens in the next couple of days as debits and credits either change from pending to posted or disappear. I am not sure at this point which will happen. The only potential complication in our case is that these are foreign currency transactions on my credit card, so debits and offsetting credits in USD could still cost me something, while a hold that is removed will not.

My apologies for the very lengthy posting. I will provide an update once all the credit card transactions are finalized (in "three to five business days", according to my bank).