When you use your card at certain establishments, a percentage or fixed amount must be added to the transaction amount whenever the establishment presents it for authorization. For instance, when you allow your card to be swiped at a bar before ordering, in order to open a tab and pay for everything later. This addition of a percentage or fixed amount to the transaction authorized by the establishment is known as "tolerance." As the establishment doesn't immediately charge the final bill, the authorized amount plus the tolerance is held against the available balance of your card until the establishment demands payment. At this point, the final amount will be charged to your card or blocked for 7 days (in some cases, up to 30 days), whichever occurs first. Please note that the exchange rate used when the transaction is authorized (and funds are reserved) may differ from the exchange rate used on the day the transaction is settled. However, you will only be charged the actual and final amount of the transaction that you sign for or validate with your PIN.
Tolerance only applies to specific business categories detailed below:
Business Category |
Tolerance (% of authorized amount) |
Bars (or similar places for beverages) |
20% |
Restaurants (or other places where food is served) |
20% |
Taxis and limousines |
20% |
Telecommunications services |
USD 15 or equivalent currency |
Automatic fuel dispensers |
USD 75 or equivalent currency |
We recommend checking your transaction history regularly via 'My Account' to ensure you have sufficient funds available for your expenses.
If the transaction value, plus the tolerance percentage or fixed amount, exceeds the available balance in the primary currency, the remaining amount will be covered by converting it into the next available currency in the priority order. If you don’t have enough available funds in the total card balance to cover the transaction value along with the tolerance amount, the transaction might be declined. However, if supported by the establishment, you can use your card for a partial payment and cover the remainder with an alternative form of payment. Just ensure to communicate this to the cashier before the transaction begins and confirm the amount you want to deduct from your card.
There's also a scenario where you might have less available money than you thought because you've used your card in an establishment as pre-authorization for a final payment (security deposits at establishments like car rental companies, hotels, or cruise lines, where they estimate the final bill and require reserving a sum of money from your card to cover this amount).