Originally Posted by
C17PSGR
As they explained it, it was a conditional charge. If I got on, I paid the $75 and if I didn't, I wouldn't get charged. It was obvious from the loads on ExpertFlyer that I would get on. However, the $75 charge showed up on my Amex immediately (I get Amex alerts on my phone.)
FWIW, the alert was for the $75 authorization (shows as a "pending charge" online). If you cleared, then DL puts the charge through, and it posts to your account a day or two later. If you don't clear, they don't put the charge through and the authorization drops off a couple of days later.
Hotels and rental car agencies do the same thing. Similar to a restaurant - the authorization is for the pre-tip amount.