Just bought some flights with my own money so I suppose this isn't something many of the people here will experience , but have just encountered what I can only see as the bizarre way that BA charges.

Looking at my credit card bill online it w as much higher than I'd expect. I recognised all the transactions, including the BA flight I just bought.

Strangely itemised BA flight(s) because in one transaction ( for which I got an email acknowledgement of one bill for £1500), I bought two tickets (two flying) for £1500 total but on my credit card bill its shown as two entries, each for £750. Strange I thought but I can live with that, I can add up.

However, my credit card outstanding balance was considerably higher than I expected, and I had to phone up the credit card company to show what that was, as it was pending transactions, £1500. And that, according to the credit card company, was also from BA, but a single charge, for £1500.

So it appears (or appeared) BA are going to charge me twice.

When I called BA they said don't worry, the £1500 is a "hold" and will disappear in a few days.

Now I'm used to holds when checking into hotels, and the £1500 is no issue in terms of my balance at the moment, but it might have been? Its not beyond the realm of possibility that the extra might have exceeded my credit limit, just as well I cant afford first or it would have done, and in any case what on earth is it all about? If I buy my weekly shop at Tesco I dont find a hold on it that is equivalent to the value of my overall shopping, plus 73 separate line items on my credit card statement.

Why on earth can't BA just charge me one item, exactly whats on my bill so I recognise it, why split it, why do a hold ?

Any ideas?

Or have I been stiffed and indeed the £1500 will actually turn up shortly necessitating me going nuclear ?