Authorization holds on selected payment methods
Please use the “Print” function at the bottom of the page to create a PDF.
For some orders placed with IONOS, a partial amount of the invoice may be initially charged on your chosen payment method. This is just an authorization hold, which can be confused with a double charge.
This article explains what an authorization hold is, and helps to assure you that you are only ever charged once per invoice.
Note
You can find out which payment methods are available to you in the Help Center article "Payment methods".
Authorization hold during a purchase
In order to ensure the security and efficiency of the IONOS payment system, authorization holds are used by some payment methods during a transaction. The authorization hold amount is temporarily deducted from your available funds and cannot be used by you until payment for an invoice clears.
As soon as the invoice has been created and settled via your chosen payment method, this authorization hold will be canceled and returned back to you. You therefore onlypayonce.
Notes
There are no fees or additional costs for an authorization hold. You only pay the invoice amount for your chosen product or service.
This is similar to a pre-authorization hold that you may encounter when getting gas for your car at the station.
Removing an authorization hold for a trial contract
If you decide to cancel your order, or stop using it after a trial period, it may take up to 30 days for the authorization hold to be released. This delay is because no invoice is issued by IONOS.
If necessary, please contact the customer service of your chosen payment method directly, as they may have the option of cancelling an authorization hold early.
Pre-authorization not possible
If the service provider of your payment method, e.g. your credit card company, refuses the authorization hold, IONOS will not be able to process your order. In this case, please choose another payment method.