Using Revolut/Starling to pay for meals... preauthorisation?

twogoto · 23 Aug 19, 02:28 PM

I might be completely misunderstanding here, but bare with me...

When we went back in 2015 & 2016, we took Caxton/Revolut cards and used them to pay for shopping etc, but withdrew cash for meals.

I seem to remember this was because there was some kind of preauthorisation thing that meant in restaurants they sort-of took the bill payment twice (or maybe it was just the tip element?) and then one lot would drop off in so many days.

Am I remembering this right or making it up lol?

If I am remembering right, is this still a thing?

jomarise · 23 Aug 19, 08:27 PM

I think we used cash to pay for meals because they would freeze the tip money at 20% (even if you left a cash tip) As far as I know they still do this so I will be taking cash out from my Revolut card and paying cash.

twogoto · 23 Aug 19, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by jomarise

I think we used cash to pay for meals because they would freeze the tip money at 20% (even if you left a cash tip) As far as I know they still do this so I will be taking cash out from my Revolut card and paying cash.

Thank you - this is what I was thinking of!

mouskevik · 24 Aug 19, 03:48 AM

I'm using Starling. They swipe the card for the cost of the meal but it's a "holding" payment and your card is given back with the tip slip. After you have filled in the tip slip and left the restaurant, the "holding" payment eventually goes through as one final payment with the tip.

The Starling app is fab and I'm able to track everything.

Bolto6 · 25 Aug 19, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by jomarise

I think we used cash to pay for meals because they would freeze the tip money at 20% (even if you left a cash tip) As far as I know they still do this so I will be taking cash out from my Revolut card and paying cash.

I never noticed this with Revolut last year. My bill would go onto my card and deduct straight away and then 2-3 days later it would adjust for the tip. It definitely didn’t freeze any tip, it only took the value of the meal initially.

I was looking at the app one night when my card was taken for payment and it appeared instantly for what I expected.