If you've ever paid with your MAAARPay card at a restaurant, hotel, or car rental counter, you may have noticed the amount deducted from your balance was a little higher than what you actually paid. This isn't a mistake. it's a normal part of how card payments work, and it's there to protect you.

What's Happening

Some purchases don't have a fixed final price the moment you pay. Think of a restaurant bill before you add a tip, or a hotel stay where extras might come up during your visit. To make sure your payment doesn't get declined or interrupted when the final amount is slightly higher than expected, a small buffer is added on top of your purchase amount.

This is only ever a buffer, never a charge. You are not billed for it, and it doesn't affect your spending in any other way.

How It Works

  1. You pay with your MAAARPay card.

  2. A small buffer is added on top of your purchase amount.

  3. The merchant finalizes your bill.

  4. We capture only the real, final amount you owe.

  5. Any unused portion of the buffer is automatically released back to your available balance.

Why We Do This

This safeguard exists to make sure your payment goes through smoothly, even in situations where the final total isn't known upfront. like adding a tip or incurring extra charges during a hotel stay or car rental. Without it, your transaction could be declined right when you need it most, like at checkout.

How Much Extra Should You Expect?

The buffer amount can vary depending on where you're paying, iranging from 15% to 30% at most for certain types of merchants, such as hotels or car rentals. For other purchases, like a restaurant bill, it's typically smaller.

To avoid any surprises, it's a good idea to keep a little extra balance available on your card beyond your expected purchase amount when paying at these types of merchants.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

  • You're never charged the extra buffer amount, only the real, final amount.

  • Release times can vary depending on the merchant and how quickly they finalize the transaction.

  • Not all purchases include a buffer, it only applies where the final amount can reasonably differ from the original one.

Have a question about a buffer on your account? Reach out to our support team and we'll be happy to help.