Authorization Hold Duration
The maximum time period a pre-authorization hold can remain active on a customer's credit card before it automatically expires, typically ranging from 7 to 30 days depending on the card network and payment processor.
What is Authorization Hold Duration?
Authorization hold duration refers to the maximum time window during which a pre-authorized transaction remains valid. When a merchant places a hold on a customer's credit card, the card issuer reserves the funds for a limited period. If the merchant doesn't capture the payment within this window, the authorization automatically expires and the customer's credit limit is fully restored.
Hold durations vary significantly depending on the card network, the issuing bank, and the payment processor. Visa and Mastercard generally allow holds of up to 30 days, but many issuers release holds earlier (7-14 days) as a consumer protection measure. American Express has its own policies that can differ from Visa/Mastercard.
For online payment processors, the hold duration is typically determined by the platform. Mollie supports manual capture holds for up to 28 days, making it one of the longest windows available. Stripe's default is 7 days but can be extended for certain use cases. This difference is crucial for businesses that need longer hold periods, such as vacation rentals or monthly equipment rentals.
Understanding hold duration is essential for businesses using pre-authorization. If you need a 14-day deposit hold but your processor only supports 7 days, you'd need to either re-authorize the card (which creates a poor customer experience) or switch to a processor with longer hold support. PayRequest's integration with Mollie provides the full 28-day window, covering most use cases.
Key Facts About Hold Duration
- Mollie supports up to 28 days — the longest widely available hold window
- Stripe defaults to 7 days but can be extended for some use cases
- Visa/Mastercard networks allow up to 30 days in theory
- Expired holds automatically release the customer's funds
- Businesses should capture or release well before the expiration date
- Hold duration is configurable per transaction with some processors
Real-World Examples
See how authorization hold duration affects different business scenarios.
Weekend Rental (2 Days)
A tool rental shop holds €200 for a weekend rental. With even a 7-day window, they have plenty of time to inspect equipment on Monday and settle the hold.
Week-Long Vacation (7 Days)
A vacation rental holds €1,000 for a week-long stay. The 7-day Stripe window is tight — the host needs to inspect and settle immediately after checkout.
Two-Week Booking (14 Days)
A holiday home has a 14-day booking. With Mollie's 28-day window, the host has ample time. With Stripe's 7-day window, the hold would expire mid-stay.
Monthly Rental (28 Days)
An apartment with a one-month security deposit uses Mollie's full 28-day hold. This covers the entire rental period without needing to re-authorize.
Event Deposit (21 Days)
A venue collects a deposit 3 weeks before an event. Mollie's 28-day window covers the full planning period plus post-event inspection time.
Boat Charter (10 Days)
A yacht charter holds €5,000 for a 10-day Mediterranean cruise. Both Stripe (with extension) and Mollie can handle this duration comfortably.
Hold Duration with PayRequest
PayRequest leverages Mollie's industry-leading 28-day hold window, giving you maximum flexibility for deposits across any rental or service duration.
28-Day Maximum Hold
Through Mollie's manual capture, configure holds from 1 to 28 days — four times longer than Stripe's default 7-day window.
Configurable Per Link
Set different hold durations for different products or services. Short holds for equipment rentals, longer holds for vacation stays.
Countdown Timer
Customers see a live countdown on their deposit status page, showing exactly how many days remain on their hold.
Expiration Alerts
Get notified before a hold is about to expire, ensuring you never miss the capture window and lose the authorization.
Related PayRequest Features
Explore features related to authorization hold management.
Related Glossary Terms
Hold funds for up to 28 days
Use Mollie's extended hold window through PayRequest. Create deposit links with configurable durations — no API work required.