Swipe a prepaid card at the pump and you might see an alarming negative balance the next time you check. Relax—this is normal Visa behaviour. Here’s the complete 2025 guide to fuel holds, hotel incidentals, and how long each merchant category can “lock up” your Target Gift Card funds.
Table of Contents
- How Pre-Authorisation Works
- Hold Amounts by Merchant Type
- Release Timelines
- Ways to Bypass or Shorten Holds
- FAQ
1 – How Does a Hold Work?
At swipe, the terminal places a temporary charge—called an “auth” or “hold”—for a high dollar amount. When the final sale totals less than the hold, the unused portion is released back to your card.
2 – Typical Hold Amounts (2025)
- Gas stations: $100–$175
- EV chargers: $25–$50
- Hotels: room rate + 20 %
- Restaurants: bill + 25 % tip cushion
3 – Release Timelines
Visa rules state merchants must submit a final capture within 72 hours. The issuer then has up to 7 days to drop the hold, but Target Gift Card issuer usually releases within 2–4 hours.
4 – Bypass Tricks
- Go inside and pre-pay a fixed dollar amount with the cashier.
- Use Split-Pay: apply your exact gift-card balance first, then a second payment method.
- Check MyBalanceNow for the “Pending” line—once it disappears, funds are free again.
5 – FAQ
Q: Can I force-release a hold sooner?
A: Only the merchant can expedite; call their billing desk with the auth code.
Verified June 2025.
