What are Pending Transactions?
A Pending Transaction is a transaction that has been submitted to your account, but is awaiting additional processing. When completed, it will become a Posted Transaction. The sum of Pending Transactions is subtracted from your Posted Balance, to determine your Available Balance.
Some businesses, like gas stations, restaurants, and hotels, put a "hold" on some of your available funds until your purchase is finalized and posted to your account. This is also known as an "authorization", which protects the business until the exact amount of your transaction is determined and posted. The Pending Transactions amount is the sum of these transactions which have not yet been posted.
Gas Stations: When you pay for fuel at the pump, the gas station puts a hold (usually $75 to $125) on your account. This means you cannot use that amount for anything else while the hold is in place, which could affect your ability to use your card for other purchases, if your Available Balance is less than your requested purchase amount.
For example, if your Available Balance is $500, and you use your card to pay at the pump for gas, the gas station places a $125 hold on your account, and your Available Balance is immediately reduced to $375 (even if you pump less than $125 worth of gas). You can then make other purchases as long as they don't exceed a total of $375; above that amount, purchases will be declined. Your Pending Transactions amount will be reduced when the hold is released.
A gas station hold is typically removed within a couple of days, after the actual amount of your gas purchase is processed and posted to your account. If you wish to avoid a gas station hold on funds, pay inside at the cashier instead of paying outside at the pump.
Restaurants will typically place a hold (authorization) on your account for the amount of your bill, plus an anticipated tip. When the final transaction is posted, the hold is released from your account. The final amount posted could be more or less than the amount held, depending on how much you tip, or other factors.
Hotels and Rental Car Companies are other examples of businesses that may put a hold on your account when you use your card to do things like make a room reservation or rent a vehicle. The hold amount varies depending on the company's estimate of how much your final charges may be. The hold is released after your final bill is determined and posted to your account, which can be a few days (or in some cases many days) after you complete your business with that company.
Updated on: 05/09/2025