Originally Posted by
GoldCircle
This is no cause for concern - it is well known and well reported on this board. Only one will be charged, the second is a hold on the funds and will be released.
This is correct - with a credit card, there can always be much bigger authorisations for transactions which are posted later for a smaller amount.
Regular retailers will authorise for the exact amount (a £10.99 CD in HMV for example). Checking into a hotel, they will normally authorise your card for the full stay plus maybe as much as 20% extra to cover themselves for room service, mini-bar and phone calls. For car rental, they will authorise for the full rental amount and the tank of petrol at their extortionate rate (E3.99/litre last weekend in Germany).
Depending on the credit card company, these will drop off after 3-10 days. I'm aware of one bank that holds the funds for 30 days.
Again, as I mentioned in the other post, a quick call to your credit card company can (subject to circumstances) arrange for additional credit limit while you wait for large duplicate authorisations expire.