How long do pending charges take to clear?

Asked by: Issac Kemmer  |  Last update: March 2, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (41 votes)

Key takeaways. Pending charges on credit cards are temporary holds to ensure payment for potential damages or incidental expenses. Pending charges typically take up to three days to clear with the merchant, but can take longer. Issues with pending charges should be resolved with the merchant, not the card issuer.

How long can a charge stay pending?

A charge can be pending on your account for up to five days. There are several factors that affect how long a pending charge will appear on your credit card. These include when you made the transaction and how long it takes the merchant to process it. Card pre-authorizations may also show on your account for longer.

How long does it take for pending transactions to clear?

A pending transaction is a recent authorised card transaction that is waiting to be processed by the merchant and can take up to 28 days but normally takes 2/3 days to clear onto your balance.

How long does it take for a pending charge to refund?

There's no set time for how long it might take for your refund credit or chargeback to show up on your account. Some refunds might show up right away and other refunds can take a few days. The time it takes to refund a transaction depends on your credit card company and their policies.

How long does it take for pending transactions to settle?

A check deposit will generally post within two business days. An EFT processed through the ACH network may settle within the same day or could be settled in a business day or two. A pending credit card purchase may take up to three days for the merchant to receive the funds and process the purchase amount.

What happens if I cancel a pending debit card transaction?

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Why is a pending transaction taking so long?

That's because the retailer still needs to process and complete the payment. So, it may look like you've got more money to hand than you really do. To avoid confusion, banks often provide an 'available balance' or 'balance after pending transactions' too.

Can I spend money that is pending?

Can I spend the money that's being held for a pending transaction? No, the funds are temporarily unavailable until the transaction clears. Spending them could result in overdrafts or declined transactions.

Can you speed up a pending refund?

Contact Your Payment Processor

Get in touch with your payment processor to inquire about the status of the refund. They may be able to expedite the process or at least give you more specific information on when the refund will arrive.

Does a pending charge mean it went through?

Pending transactions are charges that have been initiated but not yet fully processed or settled. They can take anywhere from a few hours to five business days to clear, depending on the charge. Restaurants, hotels, and car rental companies often initially list charges as pending until the payment is fully processed.

How long does it take a pending charge to drop?

Key takeaways. Pending charges on credit cards are temporary holds to ensure payment for potential damages or incidental expenses. Pending charges typically take up to three days to clear with the merchant, but can take longer. Issues with pending charges should be resolved with the merchant, not the card issuer.

What time of day do pending transactions post?

Most transactions post at the end of each business day but posting order and times can vary. Business days for banks are generally Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm, excluding federal holidays. Transactions received outside of these hours, including on weekends, are usually posted on the next business day.

Can a pending charge be cancelled?

Yes. To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.

How long does it take for pending money to come through?

How long will a transaction remain in pending? Generally it takes about 3 to 5 business days to process a transaction, although it can take up to 10 business days or longer.

What's the longest a transaction can be pending?

The duration varies. It can range from a few hours to several days or more, depending on factors such as the merchant's processing time, weekends, holidays, and the policies of your bank or credit card issuer.

What happens if you have pending charges?

For example, California allows the inclusion of all pending charges in background checks. While the state forbids reporting of arrests not resulting in convictions, it doesn't prohibit the reporting of currently pending criminal charges.

Can a pending charge be declined?

A pending credit card purchase might be declined if another merchant has placed a hold on your credit card. A pending purchase made with your bank account or credit card could be declined if your account doesn't have enough funds or the merchant won't accept payment from your bank.

How long can pending transactions take?

Pending transactions are payments that would normally go into or out of your account within 7 days. When you use a debit card to pay for something, it reduces the available balance in your current account.

Does pending mean the money has already been taken?

A pending transaction on your bank account means your bank is processing a purchase you made, a bill you paid, or a deposit that's heading your way, but it hasn't been completed yet. Either the payment hasn't been sent to the vendor yet or the incoming funds haven't cleared, although they are in process.

Do pending payments clear on weekends?

Many transactions will show as pending over non-working days, meaning transactions may show as pending over weekends and holidays. Typical processing times for different transaction types are as follows: Cash and direct deposits are usually cleared by the following business day.

What can I do to get my refund issued ASAP?

E-file plus direct deposit yields fastest refunds

The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file electronically. While a person can choose direct deposit whether they file their taxes on paper or electronically, a taxpayer who e-files will typically see their refund in less than 21 days.

Why does it take 7 to 10 days for a refund?

A credit card refund can take between five and 14 business days to appear on your card statement or balance. This is because the transaction goes through a credit card processing service and must be completed before your issuer can credit your account for the purchase.

Why is my refund stuck on pending?

by TurboTax• 825• Updated 3 weeks ago

Pending means that your e-filed return is on its way and that the government hasn't accepted or rejected it yet. If you e-filed your return before the IRS starts processing returns this year, it'll stay in pending status until then.

Will a pending transaction definitely go through?

Pending transactions are transactions that haven't been fully processed yet. For example, if you make a purchase with a debit card or credit card, it will almost always show as pending immediately when you view your account online or in a mobile banking app.

How do I cancel a pending transaction?

How do I stop a pending debit transaction? You can stop a pending debit card transaction by contacting the merchant and canceling the purchase. Or you can try contacting your bank if you don't recognize the transaction, you suspect fraud is involved, or the merchant is unresponsive.

What is a pending charge?

A pending credit card transaction is a purchase or charge that hasn't been fully processed. This happens when the credit card issuer has confirmed that you have the available balance to pay for the purchase but has not fully processed it yet.