How Long Does It Take for an IHG Authorization Hold to Be Released?
An authorization hold is a temporary reservation of funds that a hotel may place on a credit or debit card. Release timing depends on the card-issuing financial institution; this guide explains where to check and who to contact if a hold remains after your stay.
What Is an Authorization Hold?
When you book or check into an IHG hotel, the hotel may place an authorization hold on your credit or debit card. This isn't a charge, it's a temporary reservation of funds meant to confirm your card is valid and, in many cases, to cover your room rate, taxes, and estimated incidental charges during your stay.1
How Long an Authorization Hold Takes to Release
An authorization hold may take up to 30 business days depending on your financial institution.2 The exact timing is controlled by your bank or card issuer, not by the hotel, since IHG has no ability to force an early release once the hold has been placed.
If the Hold Hasn't Released
If the hold has not released after the timeframe above, the fastest next step is usually to contact your financial institution directly, since they control when the hold actually drops from your available balance.3 If your bank confirms the hold is still tied to IHG and it has been longer than 30 business days, contact IHG Customer Care with your confirmation number and stay dates.
Where to Get Help
For questions about a specific authorization hold, contact your card issuer first, since they control the release timing. If your financial institution confirms the hold originated from an IHG stay and it has not released within the expected window, contact IHG Customer Care. General billing questions are also covered in the IHG Customer Care FAQ.
1. Authorization hold amounts and practices vary by hotel and may include the estimated cost of incidentals in addition to the room rate and taxes.
2. Hold release timing is determined by your card-issuing bank or financial institution, not by IHG or the hotel. Actual timing can vary based on your institution's own policies and practices.
3. IHG and its hotels cannot force a card issuer to release a hold early. If a charge appears final rather than a hold, contact the hotel directly to confirm whether it was a hold or an actual charge.