ABSA Credit Card not reimbursing Car Hire Authorisation

ABSA Credit Card division not releasing hold for car hire deposit

I herewith would like to lodge a formal complaint regarding a hold on R11600.00 on my credit card. I rented a car from BLUU Car Rental from 23rd Oct to 1st Nov 2025. I enquired from BLUU on 3rd November as to how long the hold will take to reverse? Advised this would be 72 hours at most. BLUU (on 11 Nov) sent an email to ABSA Authorisations to release the hold, which has not been done. I phoned ABSA Credit Card Division on 11th, 12, 13th November requesting the same, and again forwarded the same email from BLUU to ABSA Authorisations. The case number I received is C-**********7. I followed up with ABSA on 14th November, only, repeated comment was that the matter has been "escalated"!! The rental authorisation process happens instantly but the reversal takes weeks - is ABSA in such bad financial state that it needs my money to build some interest??!! It appears I am one of many experiencing the same issue - time to escalate this to the ombudsman or the press??

I was also promised return call/s to advise on the progress - none received as yet - 15th November 2025.

ABSA is going to lose clients!!