What is "HOLD" on my bank statement?

HOLD is usually a temporary authorization hold, not a final charge. It often comes from hotels, gas stations, or car rentals.

Merchant: Temporary Authorization Hold | Category: Financial Services

What Is This Charge?

A charge from HOLD reflects a temporary authorization placed by a merchant, not a final purchase. HOLD is a banking descriptor, and it usually appears when a business checks that your card is valid before the final amount is settled. This type of hold is common at hotels, gas stations, car rentals, and restaurants that estimate the final bill before closing the transaction. HOLD is not a single merchant, and it often disappears or changes amount after the final charge posts.

Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?

A HOLD charge appears when a merchant requests permission to reserve funds on your card before the final transaction is complete. A hotel may place a hold for the room rate plus incidentals, a gas station may authorize a larger amount before the pump total is known, and a car rental company may hold funds for damage coverage or deposits. A restaurant may also place a preauthorization when the tip has not been added yet. The hold can remain pending for several days, and the final posted charge may be lower, higher, or completely replace the original authorization.

Typical Charge Amounts

HOLD amounts are often $1.00, $25.00, $50.00, or $100.00 when a merchant is only testing the card or reserving funds. Hotel holds commonly range from $50 to $200 per stay, and car rental deposits can range from $150 to $500 or more depending on the vehicle and location. Gas station holds are often $1 to $100 before the final fuel purchase posts. Restaurant preauthorizations often start at the pre-tip bill total and then settle at 15% to 25% higher after gratuity is added.

Common Variations

HOLD HOLD PENDING PREAUTH HOLD AUTH HOLD TEMP HOLD HOLD #1234 AUTH HOLD 0456 PREAUTH HOLD 7890 TEMP HOLD STORE 112 HOLD POS 3341

Is This Charge Legitimate?

A HOLD charge is usually legitimate if you recently checked into a hotel, paid at a gas pump, rented a car, ordered food, or used a card for a reservation. Check the merchant name in your card app, such as Chase Mobile, Capital One Mobile, Bank of America Mobile Banking, or the issuer website, and compare the date and amount to your recent activity. If the hold is still pending, it may disappear automatically when the merchant completes or releases it. If you do not recognize the hold, call the number on the back of your card and ask the bank to identify the merchant and the authorization date.

How to Dispute or Cancel

1. Contact the merchant first and ask whether the HOLD is a pending authorization or a final charge. 2. Ask the merchant to void or release the hold, and request a receipt or cancellation number. 3. If the merchant is a hotel, car rental company, or gas station, ask how long their release window is, because some holds take 3 to 10 business days to drop off. 4. Call your bank or card issuer immediately if the hold is unauthorized, and start a dispute through the issuer app or website while the transaction is still pending. 5. If the charge posts instead of disappearing, file a formal dispute and keep screenshots, receipts, and any cancellation emails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my HOLD charge show as HOLD PENDING?

HOLD PENDING means the merchant has only authorized the payment and has not finalized it yet. This usually happens at hotels, gas stations, and car rentals, where the final amount is not known at the start. The pending hold should either drop off or convert into the final posted charge after settlement.

How do I cancel my HOLD subscription?

HOLD is usually not a subscription, so there is often nothing to cancel on the merchant side. If the hold came from a hotel, rental car, or gas station, ask the merchant to void the authorization and give you a release confirmation. Then check your bank app for the pending item and call your card issuer if it does not disappear within 3 to 10 business days.

Why is my HOLD charge a different amount than expected?

A HOLD amount can differ from the final charge because the merchant only estimated the transaction at first. Hotels often add incidentals, gas stations authorize a larger amount before the pump total is known, and restaurants may add a tip after the card is swiped. The posted amount can be lower, higher, or replace the original hold entirely.

How long does a HOLD authorization stay on my card?

Most HOLD authorizations stay pending for 1 to 10 business days, depending on the merchant and card network. Gas station holds often clear faster, while hotel and rental car holds can last longer because the final bill is settled after checkout or return. If the hold remains after 10 business days, contact the merchant and your bank.

Can a HOLD charge turn into a final charge?

Yes, a HOLD can become the final charge when the merchant completes the transaction. The original pending authorization may disappear and be replaced by a posted charge with a slightly different amount. This is normal for hotels, restaurants, car rentals, and fuel purchases.

Similar Charges

  • HOLD
  • HOLD PENDING
  • PREAUTH HOLD
  • AUTH HOLD
  • TEMP HOLD

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