authorization

An authorization is a hold placed on a card holder's account for a the amount of a purchase being made using a debit or credit card. Hotels typically do not assess charges until check-out. To ensure the funds will be available for payment most hotels require a credit card on file and will authorize it for the estimated guest charges. The estimated amount is based on the guest's intended length of stay at check-in, the room rate, applicable taxes and surcharges, and a percentage of the total or a flat amount to assume incidental charges occurring .