If you've rented a car and noticed that slightly more money is on hold than the price you agreed to, don't worry — this is completely normal and nothing has gone wrong. It isn't a double charge or a hidden fee, and the extra amount comes back to you automatically. Here's exactly what's happening and what to expect.
It's a temporary hold, not a charge
When you rent a vehicle and pay with your EUR card, the card provider places a temporary hold on your balance for around 20% more than the rental price. This is a short-term safety buffer, not money you've spent.
Car and truck rentals can sometimes have extra costs that only come up later, such as:
Fuel charges
Tolls or traffic fees
Late returns
Vehicle damage
Holding a bit extra upfront means these can be settled smoothly without your balance going negative.
What happens to the extra money?
Once you return the car and the rental company confirms the final amount, everything settles automatically:
If the final amount is lower than the hold → the extra money is released back to you.
If the final amount is higher (for example, you added fuel or toll charges) → only the difference is taken.
The exact timing depends on how quickly the rental company processes your return, so it can vary.
Good to know: Until the rental company sends the final amount, the held funds may appear as pending in your transaction history. This is normal and will update on its own.
Do I need to do anything?
No — there's nothing for you to do. 🙌
The hold is released automatically once the rental company sends us the final amount. You don't need to contact us to speed it up.
Still have questions?
If the hold hasn't been released for a while, or the amount looks wrong, reach out to us and we'll be happy to take a look.