If you refuel at a self-service fuel station, you might notice that the amount shown on your Soldo card is higher than the amount of fuel you actually bought. This can be surprising, but it’s completely normal.
About pre-authorisations at fuel stations
When you start a fuel transaction at a self-service pump, the payment network checks that there’s enough money available on your card. To do this, it applies a temporary pre-authorisation. This amount is usually higher than the fuel you’ll buy.
This isn’t a real payment. It’s only a temporary hold that protects the merchant and confirms that your card can cover the cost of the refuelling.
How much is pre-authorised?
The pre-authorised amount is usually between £99 and £120, depending on the bank network used by the fuel station.
Once the pump confirms the final amount, the unused portion of the pre-authorisation is released. The correct amount is then charged, and the rest becomes available again in your wallet. This usually happens within a few minutes of completing the refuel.
Useful tips
- Keep your spending limits and available balance above £120 to avoid declined transactions at fuel stations.
- Remember that the pre-authorisation is temporary and will be released automatically.