Originally Posted by flyinbob

I bought 3 tickets online (for family members, because they hate talking to India), each about $450, totaling $1350. So a couple of days later I see the tickets posted to the cards, but also notice a huge block on my credit line, another $1350. So I call the card company, and they say United (and maybe Delta) are doing that, sending through the initial purchase as one large charge, to confirm the credit is available, then the individual charges hit for actual payment. But in the meantime the block is NOT removed, instead holds for up to 10 days (?) against your card until it drops off.

United has been unable to explain the reason, constantly claiming they don't understand the problem. The credit card company tries to say it is like a hotel, or gas station, who put a hold on until the charge is paid. But it isn't, as the charges have come through, but because it comes through in 3 separate charges, and the hold was for one big total, the hold won't automatically drop off.

Besides being a potential problem, especially if you buy expensive tickets last minute and then travel not knowing your card is blocked, has United always done this? Seems fraudulent to me, keeping a card blocked once the charge has hit and is paid.