I always think of the Wharf Rat on Pratt St. as "Wharf Rat Downtown", and the one on Ann St. in Fells Point as the real (original) Wharf Rat.

My partner plays in a band and therefore we are in many bars. We NEVER run tabs because of the mysterious charges that appear on my credit card. It is much cheaper to pay per drink!

http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/rules_for_visa_merchants.pdf

Page 27!

Another argumemt for not having a debit card. I doubt that the bank would forgive overdraft charges if a "real" transaction were denied because the holds had drained your account. Actually for a credit card also if you keep a balance close to your limit. Last time my ATM card expired the bank tried to give me one that was a debit card also. I took it back and made them give me one that was only good at ATMs. Even the hotel industry says to never use a debit card at a hotel because they put a hold on your money for more than the expected cost of your room to cover possible room service and restaurant charges and it can take weeks to get the excess put back. Banks love debit cards because they make more money from them. Why else would they be promoting them over the credit card that the bank also issues?

Thanks Bob UU!
I was wondering what Visa's stance was on the whole hold thing.

I have never had a hold on my account for anything more than what the actual amount was, or any frivolous charges. And, like Carey, I check my account daily.

Thanks Bob UU for the link. The main problem is the POS system and the credit card processor. Waiters do not over authorize guests cards. They ring in the items ordered and swipe the card. The rest is in the programming between Micros, Digital Dining, Aloha etc and the processing company. The processors authorize for more than the original amount. This post has come up a few times lately. In 99% of the cases the bar or restaurant owners or employees have nothing to do with the "overcharge" or authorization. I suggest someone at the sun write an investigative story about this subject. They should start with Visa and the large processors and also the big three of POS systems. Most restaurants would rather not have to deal with (and by this I mean paying 2+% of all sales) with credit cards. We spend hundreds or thousands of dollars a month for the convenience of waiting up to 72 hours for the money that was spent the previous night.

Retired in Elkridge,

If you use it as a debit, the funds come out immediately. You are also charged a fee (usually $0.50). It is only when you use it as credit, that an amount gets held, then comes off for good and as the correct amount within 72 hours or so.

I have one but only use it at ATMs. I refuse to pay the $0.50 to use it as debit, and I don't want cash held from my checking account (as I stated on MS, gas stations are now holding $100 at a time). I use a regular credit card, not linked to my checking account. In addition if there are ever fraudulent charges, I can fight it and not have to worry about missing the actual cash from my checking account.

The gas stations that I use show up as $1 pending charges until the actual charge shows up.

TomC - have you read the comments on MidNightSun's threads related to credit cards over the last week or so? The restaurant and bar owners/workers are coming straight out and saying that they arbitrarily pick the number they preauthorize that places the temp hold on your account. It appears to be mostly related to the bars though, and not the restaurants.

Hal,

Every one I go to does $99 or $100 or $75 at the very least. I'm pretty certain it's so you cannot swipe a card with no $ available, pump $50 in gas, and drive away. Now this is only when I use the credit card machine at the pump (which is all of the time because I am too lazy to walk). Years ago it was only $40 or $50 but when gas prices went up, they raised the amount.

If I can add to the confusion...

Bank may not expire the extra hold for several days if a purchase for the exact same dollar amount is not presented. For instance, your account balance is $100 and your bill is $60. The server swipes your card for $60 and then you add a $12 tip. $72 is deducted from your account, but $60 is also on hold. This means that $72 is not technically available in your account and you are charged an overdraft fee.

Ain't life grand?

AMS,

Precisely why I use a regular credit card and not a debit/credit card linked to my checking account. I got burned too many times.