MyCamper users often have questions about the deposit refund process, especially when refunds don’t appear as expected on bank statements. This guide explains how deposit refunds work, why they might not show up, and steps you can take.
Overview of Deposit Pre-Authorization
When you book a vehicle with MyCamper, the deposit is not directly charged to your card. Instead, it is reserved via a pre-authorization. A pre-authorization means the amount is put on hold by your bank but not actually deducted. Since there's no actual charge, refunds simply involve releasing the pre-authorized amount.
On your statement, the reserved amount may appear as a "pending" transaction but will "disappear" rather than showing as a refund once the bank releases the hold.
If deductions (e.g., mileage charges or damages) are applied, only that portion will be captured, and the remaining pre-authorized amount will be released. Any deductions will appear as a separate charge.
Refund Timing and Bank Statement Visibility
The timing of the refund depends on your bank’s policies. Some banks process the release instantly, while others may take several days for the pending amount to vanish from your statement. Common scenarios include:
No Refund Transaction Visible: Since the pre-authorized amount was never charged, there’s no refund transaction. The original authorization simply "falls off" your statement.
“Cancelled” on Statement: If your statement shows the deposit as "Cancelled," this just means the pre-authorization hold was released—it does not imply the refund was canceled.
Delays Due to Bank Processing: Banks can take additional time to release the hold, even after MyCamper has initiated the process.
Handling Deductions and Adjustments
If any approved charges (e.g., extra mileage or damage) apply, they will be deducted from your deposit:
MyCamper captures only the necessary portion of the deposit to cover these costs.
The remaining deposit remains pre-authorized rather than charged.
You will only see a charge on your statement for the deducted amount; the rest of the hold will disappear once released.
If no extra charges occur, the full pre-authorization hold is released back to your account.
Special Cases and Refund Delays
Expired or Replaced Cards
Refunds are automatically sent to the original card used during booking. If your card has expired or been replaced, your bank will usually redirect the refund to your new card or associated account. Contact your bank for specific inquiries in such cases.
Unchecked Bookings
MyCamper cannot process a refund until the booking is closed. If your deposit refund seems delayed, ensure that the checkout process has been fully completed in the system.
Practical Tips For Users
Monitor your card statement for the removal of the pre-authorization hold instead of a separate refund.
Contact your bank if you notice significant delays after MyCamper confirms hold release.
Double-check that your booking and checkout process are fully completed to avoid refund delays.
What to do if your deposit still hasn't cleared after several days
If the pre-authorization hold is still showing on your account after 5–7 business days, work through these steps in order:
Check that your booking checkout is fully completed in your MyCamper account. The deposit release is only triggered once the booking is closed — if the checkout wasn't completed by the owner or renter, the hold cannot be released until it is.
If checkout is confirmed as complete, contact your bank directly. Because the deposit was a pre-authorization (not an actual charge), there is no ARN (transaction reference number) to provide. Let your bank know it was a card hold that should now be released, and give them the approximate date the rental ended.
If your bank cannot locate the release after you've contacted them, reach out to MyCamper support with your booking reference number and the date your booking was closed. We can confirm on our end whether the release was initiated and provide any documentation your bank may need.
Important: Since the deposit was held as a pre-authorization and never actually charged, you will not receive a refund transaction or an ARN. The hold simply disappears from your account — there is nothing to "refund" in the traditional sense.