Logo

What is a pre-authorisation hold?

A pre-authorisation hold is a standard banking practice which places a temporary hold on funds when you add a payment method or request a trip with us. This allows the bank to confirm the payment method is valid and you have sufficient funds. This is becoming common practice for all companies who accept digital payment.

We need to check that we can take payment from the credit/debit card attached to your FREE NOW account, so we have placed a temporary charge for the estimated fare on your card*. No funds are debited / removed from your account.
 

What does this mean?

  • A temporary charge/hold (“pre-authorisation”) means we have reserved the estimated fare amount to confirm your account can cover payment for fare*.

Why we do this?

  • It may be because you are a new customer, your card is new, or you haven’t used our service recentl

  • FREE NOW will release the temporary charge once the trip is completed, or the taxi request is cancelled.
  • The actual charge for the fare will be applied to your account after you complete your taxi journey,

 ‌

Important - Each bank handles pre-authorisation differently, and may not release the reserved amount for several days.  It may appear that you have been charged twice, but you have not been.  If the amount has not been released after 7 days, please contact your bank.

For Bank of Ireland customers - we have been made aware of temporary charges appearing in your account for over 7 days, before being released. 
 

Please contact us if you have further questions on any of the above and our customer care team can assist you. 

Submit Custome Care query here

 

*Subject to minimum temporary charge or pre-authorisation for €10.