I see it all the time. I had a stay last night in the Dulles area and my room was $89 with taxes. A $139 temporary authorization was made and it will drop in a few days. I paid with a Hyatt e-card. When I charge gas at Costco I automatically get a $150 temporary hold. I remember the first time I saw a hold, maybe 3-4 years ago, I went down to the hotel counter to ask about it and they had to explain to me the whole preauthorization procedure.