A credit card hold (also known as a pre-authorization) is a temporary charge placed on a customer’s credit card to verify the availability of funds or as a guarantee for future payment. It's commonly used in industries like hospitality, rentals, or online services.
Why Two Payments May Show Up on a Customer’s Statement
When a customer makes a purchase, two entries can appear:
- Pending Hold (Authorization)
- This is a temporary authorization that ensures the card has sufficient funds.
- It reduces the available credit but hasn’t been finalized (i.e., not yet “settled”).
- Often labeled as “Pending” or “Authorization only.”
- Actual Charge (Captured Payment)
- This is the finalized transaction when the business completes or ships the order.
- It appears as a posted charge on the customer’s statement.
Why This Happens
- Some merchants pre-authorize the payment first and then capture it later.
- If the hold isn’t immediately released when the charge is captured, both may show temporarily.
- The hold usually drops off automatically within a few days, depending on the bank (typically 3–7 business days).
Summary
This is normal behavior in payment processing and doesn’t mean the customer is being double charged. However, if the hold doesn't drop off after several days, the customer should contact their bank.
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