Some companies ask for pre-authorisations, so they can be sure they can collect the money owed to them if you don’t pay up – for example, if you use the mini-bar in a hotel or leave a car at the hire company without paying the bill at the time. The company puts a hold on some of your credit limit and while that’s in place you won’t be able to spend that money elsewhere. For example, if your credit limit is £1,000 and a car hire company puts a pre-authorisation of £500 on your card, you’ll only be able to spend £500 more on your card.