Why Do I Have a Pending Charge?
Seeing a pending charge on your bank account after booking is completely normal. This is called a pre-authorization hold.
Quick Answer
The pending charge is a temporary authorization hold to verify your card is valid. It's not an actual charge and will be released within 3-7 days.
What is Pre-Authorization?
How It Works
When you book:
- We request authorization from your bank
- Bank "holds" the amount temporarily
- You see it as pending in your account
- Actual charge processes separately
- Hold releases automatically
Why We Do This
Security reasons:
- Verify card is valid
- Confirm sufficient funds
- Prevent fraud
- Reduce payment failures
Standard practice:
- All hotels do this
- All booking sites use it
- Banks expect it
- Industry standard
What You'll See
On Your Bank Statement
Pending Transaction:
Pending: PriceRoom/Hotel Name - $150.00
Date: Today
Status: Pending
Then Actual Charge:
Completed: PriceRoom/Hotel Name - $150.00
Date: 1-3 days later
Status: Posted
Hold Releases:
The pending charge disappears
You're only charged once
How Long Does It Take?
Authorization Hold Release
Typical timeline:
- Most banks: 3-5 business days
- Some banks: 7-10 business days
- Debit cards: May take longer
Factors affecting timing:
- Your bank's policies
- Card type (credit vs debit)
- Weekends and holidays
- International transactions
Actual Charge Processing
Prepaid bookings:
- Charge processes immediately
- Usually within 24-48 hours
- Shows as completed transaction
Pay at hotel:
- Small authorization only
- Main charge at hotel
- Hold releases when you check out
Will I Be Charged Twice?
No! Here's Why
You'll see:
- Pending authorization (temporary)
- Actual charge (permanent)
What happens:
- Pending hold releases
- You're only charged once
- Final amount matches booking
Timeline:
Day 1: Pending hold appears
Day 2: Actual charge processes
Day 3-7: Pending hold disappears
Result: One charge total
Different Amounts?
Why Amounts May Vary
Common scenarios:
-
Currency conversion:
- Hold in one currency
- Charge in another
- Exchange rate differences
-
Incidentals hold:
- Hotel adds extra hold
- For room charges, minibar
- Releases at checkout
-
Final price adjustment:
- Taxes calculated
- Fees added
- Slight difference in total
Types of Holds
Booking Authorization
Purpose: Verify card for booking Amount: Full booking amount Duration: 3-7 days When: At time of booking
Hotel Incidentals Hold
Purpose: Cover room charges Amount: Usually $50-200 per night Duration: Until checkout When: At check-in
Both May Appear
You might see:
- Our booking authorization
- Hotel's incidentals hold
- Both are temporary
- Both release separately
Card Type Differences
Credit Cards
How holds work:
- Reduces available credit
- Doesn't touch your cash
- Releases quickly (3-5 days)
- Minimal impact
Best for bookings:
- ✅ Faster hold release
- ✅ Better fraud protection
- ✅ Doesn't affect cash flow
Debit Cards
How holds work:
- Holds actual money
- Reduces available balance
- May take longer to release (5-10 days)
- Can affect other transactions
Important notes:
- ⚠️ Ensure sufficient balance
- ⚠️ Account for hold duration
- ⚠️ May trigger overdraft fees
Prepaid Cards
Special considerations:
- Some don't support holds
- May decline authorization
- Hold might not release properly
- Check card terms first
What If Hold Doesn't Release?
Normal Timeline Passed
If it's been more than 10 days:
- Check your statement - Might have released already
- Contact your bank - They control hold release
- Provide booking details - Show actual charge posted
- Bank releases manually - Usually same day
Bank's Responsibility
The hold release is:
- ❌ Not controlled by us
- ✅ Controlled by your bank
- ✅ Automatic process
- ✅ Bank can expedite if needed
Preventing Hold Issues
Before Booking
Check your account:
- ✅ Sufficient available balance
- ✅ Account for the hold
- ✅ Plus enough for other expenses
Example:
Booking amount: $300
Hold amount: $300
Needed in account: $600
(During hold period)
Choose Right Card
Best options:
- Credit card (recommended)
- Debit card with high balance
- Not prepaid cards
International Bookings
Additional Considerations
Currency holds:
- May see hold in USD
- Charge in local currency
- Exchange rate applied twice
- Rates may differ
Timeline:
- International holds take longer
- 7-14 days possible
- Bank's international policies apply
Multiple Bookings
Separate Holds
Each booking creates:
- Its own authorization hold
- Its own actual charge
- Separate release timeline
Example:
3 bookings = 6 pending items
(3 holds + 3 charges)
All resolve separately
Bank Overdraft Concerns
Avoiding Overdrafts
The risk:
- Hold reduces available balance
- Other charges may bounce
- Overdraft fees possible
Prevention:
- Use credit card instead
- Ensure high balance
- Monitor account closely
- Consider hold duration
If Overdraft Occurs
Contact your bank:
- Explain pre-authorization hold
- Request fee reversal
- Show booking confirmation
- Most banks waive fees
What to Tell Your Bank
If They Ask
Useful information:
- "This is a pre-authorization hold"
- "For hotel booking verification"
- "The actual charge has posted"
- "Please release the hold"
Provide:
- Booking confirmation
- Actual charge details
- Merchant name (PriceRoom)
- Transaction date
FAQ
Q: Is this a double charge? A: No, it's a temporary hold plus the actual charge. Hold releases automatically.
Q: How can I avoid pending charges? A: You can't - they're required for card verification. But use a credit card for faster release.
Q: Will the hold amount be charged? A: No, holds aren't charges. Only the actual booking amount is charged.
Q: Can you cancel the hold? A: No, only your bank controls hold release. It happens automatically.
Q: Why is the hold more than my booking? A: Sometimes hotels add incidentals holds. Check with the hotel.
Q: Should I be worried? A: No, this is completely normal and expected for all card bookings.
Still Concerned?
Contact Your Bank
Best for:
- Hold not releasing
- Need faster release
- Overdraft issues
- Account questions
Contact Us
We can help with:
- Booking amount verification
- Transaction details
- Supplier information
- Confirmation letter