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Understanding pending vs posted transactions

What pending, posted, and reversed transactions mean, and why a pending amount can change.

What the status on each transaction means.

  • Pending: authorized but not yet final. The amount can still change.

  • Posted: fully processed and final.

  • Reversed: a previously posted charge that has been refunded or removed.

Why a pending amount can change

Some merchants place a temporary hold for an estimated amount and adjust it once the final total is known. This is common with gas stations, hotels, and restaurants. For example, a hotel may hold an estimate at check-in and settle the real total at checkout.

How long a pending charge lasts

Most holds clear within a few business days. If a merchant never finalizes a charge, the authorization expires and the hold is dropped automatically.

Available balance vs current balance

Your available balance already subtracts pending charges and holds, so it reflects what you can actually spend. Your current balance may look higher because it does not account for pending items.

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