You could just prepay $X. Then extend it every so often. Any remainder gets refunded at the end. Honestly, in Australia I have not swiped my CC in over a decade.

In some ways we are pretty spoiled here in Australia, with regards to fintech adoption. The local farmers markets either take cash or contactless (or both depending on the stall). Its the literal only remaining place that I visit that takes cash-only at some stalls. Everywhere else is all contactless, all the time.

I suppose so. But it still blows me away that doing basic everyday payments in the largest economy in the world is still so poor and their physical money is terrible.

> Sorry you can’t buy lunch, but the hold will get released in a few days, so it’s ok!

I've bought gas in France with a Monzo card and the pump was able to hold and release money immediately - ~150EUR hold initially, as soon as I put the pump down it adjusted to the real amount.

Seems like the tech to make this happen does exist, it's just a matter of not using a shitty bank.

If the merchant is closing out the preauth correctly, the remainder of the hold is released on the spot.