Can I extend a credit card hold?

No — a card hold is an authorization with a fixed expiry (about 7 days) that can't be extended. You can charge it, release it, or let it expire and place a new one.

Written By Melanie Gannone (Super Administrator)

Updated at July 7th, 2026

No. A card hold can't be extended or renewed. When you place a hold, you're authorizing the card, and the card network sets a fixed expiry at that moment — usually about 7 days. TripWorks can't push that date out, and the card network won't extend an authorization once it's placed.

What you can do instead

While a hold is open, you have three options:

  • Charge it — capture the held funds, either the full amount or part of it. (Charging a hold collects only the card processing fee; the booking fee was already collected on the original payment.)
  • Release it — return the reserved funds to the customer's card. No charge is made.
  • Let it expire — do nothing, and the authorization lapses on its own.

To keep funds reserved for longer, release the current hold (or let it expire) and place a new one. A new hold is a fresh authorization with its own ~7-day window.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a credit card hold last?

The card network sets the window when you place the hold — typically about 7 days. It's fixed at that point and can't be changed.

Can I charge the hold after it expires?

No. Once the authorization lapses, the funds are no longer reserved and the hold can't be charged. If you still need to secure funds, place a new hold.

Does releasing a hold charge the customer?

No. Releasing simply returns the reserved funds to the customer's card — nothing is charged. To collect money, charge (capture) the hold instead.

So how do I "extend" a hold?

You don't extend it — you replace it. Release the current hold (or let it expire), then place a new hold on the card for another authorization window.

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