Before you check-in, you may be required to pay a refundable security bond to the accommodation provider and/or provide a credit card authorisation. 

When you check-in to your accommodation you may be required to provide a credit card authorisation (or 'pre-authorisation'). This is standard practice at most hotels around the world and is designed to cover the expected cost of your accommodation and/or any incidental charges you may incur. The pre-authorisation amount will vary depending on the length of your stay and the policy of your accommodation provider.

A credit card pre-authorisation is not an actual charge, but it does hold or 'reserve' funds in your account for the duration of your stay. You will not be able to access these held funds until the pre-authorisation is cancelled. A pre-authorisation is cancelled automatically when you use the same card to settle your account upon check-out. If you choose a different payment method, the pre-authorisation will expire automatically. This may take anywhere from 24 hours up to 14 days to become available again in your account, depending on your financial institution.

Refundable security bonds are often required for vacation rental properties and are designed to cover potential damage and/or incidentals at the property. The amount of any security bond is listed on the accommodation detail page and during the booking process. 

The payment process for security bonds varies by property and will be advised by the accommodation provider upon booking. In most cases you will pay the security bond directly to the accommodation provider. Refunds of security bonds are processed by the accommodation provider within 14 days of check-out if no damage to the property is reported. Your financial institution may take an additional 7 days to release these refunded funds to your account.