Pending card transactions are normal. They mean the merchant has reserved the funds but hasn't finalized the payment yet. These are often referred to as authorization holds, which ensure the funds are available for the transaction. Even if the merchant does not complete the charge, the hold may still appear on your account. Most card transactions settle within 1–3 business days.
If the merchant takes no action, the hold will automatically expire and return to your account after 31 days.
Certain merchants, such as gas stations, hotels, and car rental companies, may place a temporary pre-authorization hold on your card to reserve funds before the actual charge is finalized. This hold amount may be higher than your final purchase total. Once the merchant settles the transaction, the hold is replaced by the actual charge, and any difference is automatically released back to your available balance.
Additionally, small verification charges are common and typically voided automatically. These charges do not take funds from your account and are used to confirm card validity.
It is not possible to determine the exact amount that will be released from a pre-authorization hold before the transaction settles. The final amount depends on settlement details, such as exchange rates or adjustments made by the merchant. Once the transaction is finalized, you will see the actual charged amount and the released difference in your transaction history.
No action is needed from you in most cases. If a card transaction is still pending after 7–10 business days, you can contact the merchant for confirmation. If the issue persists, contact support. Note that Plasma cannot manually cancel or void pending authorizations, as the release of funds is controlled by the card network and the merchant. If your transaction is declined, it may be due to the merchant falling under a restricted category for Plasma cards. In such cases, the payment will not go through, and no funds will be taken from your account.
Freezing your card is a useful tool to prevent new, unauthorized transactions. However, it does not affect pending transactions, as the funds for these have already been reserved. If you notice unauthorized charges, you can freeze your card, remove it from the merchant’s platform, and review your merchant activity to identify the source of the charge. For recurring payments, ensure you cancel the subscription directly with the merchant and request written confirmation. If charges persist, consider replacing your card to prevent further unauthorized transactions.