Understanding Roadside Assistance Authorization Holds

Feb 28, 2025 · 4 min read

You booked a service and saw a "pending" charge that doesn't quite match the final price. That's an authorization hold, and it's how most travel and roadside companies protect both sides while a job is still open.

What an authorization hold actually does

A hold reserves an amount on your card without moving the money. Your bank marks it "pending" and lowers your available balance. Nothing has actually been charged yet.

Why the amount can look different

The hold is placed before the tech arrives, so it's based on the quoted price. If the job ends up simpler, or if extra distance is needed, the final charge can be lower or higher than the hold. When the final charge posts, the original hold drops off, usually within a few business days depending on your bank.

The Roadmate approach

We keep this simple: one upfront price, one charge, no lingering holds. If the scope of the job changes, dispatch calls you before anything is added. You should never see two amounts pending from us at the same time.

If you see a hold that shouldn't be there

• Check the date, holds from cancelled bookings usually clear within 5–7 days.
• Look at the merchant name on the statement, not every "roadside" charge is us.
• Text or call dispatch with the last 4 of the card and the amount, we can pull it up in seconds.