Does National car rental "test" your credit card?

[chris7]

I have a $1.00 charge pending on my credit card from Vanguard rental group (national and alamo). Our trip is not until December. National has my credit card # on file because I'm emeral aisle, but why would they do a test charge?

 

[seashoreCM]

If a merchant makes an unauthorized charge, that charge is disputable even though you have patronized that merchant in the past and/or have pending orders, purchases, or reservations. Among other things, this means you don't have to pay the disputed amount to avoid finance charges in the credit card billing cycle.

Check your reservation to see if there is any reference to a deposit or fee that would make the charge legitimate.

A merchant may not cancel future orders on the grounds that an intervening unauthorized charge was disputed.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CPT Tripss]

If a merchant makes an unauthorized charge, that charge is disputable even though you have patronized that merchant in the past and/or have pending orders, purchases, or reservations. Among other things, this means you don't have to pay the disputed amount to avoid finance charges in the credit card billing cycle.

Check your reservation to see if there is any reference to a deposit or fee that would make the charge legitimate.

A merchant may not cancel future orders on the grounds that an intervening unauthorized charge was disputed.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

It isn't unusual for charges to be "pending" in a situation like this. It's the merchants way of verifying the card. The charge should be removed in a day or so . . . if it switches from pending to due, then you have a beef.

 

[szymon]

If you do any quotes while logged in as an Emerald member, you will see a $1 authorization to make sure your credit card is still valid. These will disappear within 2 weeks or so.

seashoreCM,

This is an authorization and not a charge. You can't dispute an authorization until it posts (in this case, it won't).

Szymon