Pending charge that won't release
"A pending authorization that has stayed on the account longer than expected."
What's happening here
When a merchant runs your card, they first place an authorization hold to confirm funds are available. Most holds release within 1–5 business days once the final charge posts. If a pending authorization has been sitting on your account for longer than that — and no corresponding settled charge has appeared — the hold may need to be removed by your bank. This is especially common with hotels, gas stations, car rentals, and online retailers.
Evidence to gather before disputing
Banks require documentation before they'll investigate. Collect these before you file:
- 01Statement showing the pending authorization and the date it appeared
- 02Confirmation that the merchant's final charge has already posted separately, if applicable
- 03Documentation of how many days have elapsed since the original transaction
- 04Any receipt or order confirmation from the original transaction
Dispute reason codes
These Visa/Mastercard chargeback reason codes apply to this scenario. Your bank handles the coding — this is for reference.
Time sensitivity
You have a reasonable window, but don't put this off indefinitely. Gather documentation now while the details are fresh.
Ready to dispute?
Generate a letter for this exact scenario, pre-filled with bank-specific details.