When you pay with your PrezzeePay card, some merchants set aside part of your balance before they take the final payment. This is called a pre-authorisation, and the amount shows as pending on your card. The pending amount is released when the merchant takes its final payment, or within 7 days if they don't.
What is a pending amount?
A pending amount locks some of the money on your card so it's ready for the merchant when they finalise your bill. There are two types:
- Estimated pending amounts: merchants like hotels and car rental companies don't know your final bill yet, so they set aside an estimated amount.
- Exact pending amounts: merchants like cinemas, restaurants and online shops set aside the exact amount of your purchase, then take the payment.
How does a pending amount affect your balance?
Your card has two balances:
- Total balance: all the money on your card, including any pending amounts.
- Available balance: the money you can spend right now. This is your total balance minus any pending amounts.
Pending money hasn't left your card yet, but you can't spend it. You can still spend the rest of your available balance.
Example: You have $250 on your card. At check-in, a hotel sets aside $200, which shows as pending, so your available balance is $50. At checkout, the hotel charges $190. The $200 pending amount is released, $190 is taken, and your balance is $60.
How long does a pending amount last?
A pending amount ends when either of these happens first:
- The merchant takes the final payment. The pending amount is released, and you're charged the final amount.
- 7 days pass without a final payment. The pending money automatically returns to your available balance.
Why was my payment declined?
Here are the most common reasons.
The payment is more than your available balance
If another merchant has a pending amount on your card, you may have less to spend than you expect. You can wait for the pending amount to be released, or ask the merchant if they can try a lower amount.
The payment is over a spending limit
Your card has daily spending and transaction limits. If a payment goes over one of these, it won't go through. You can ask the merchant if they can try a lower amount.
The final charge is much higher than the pending amount
To protect you from unexpected charges, we automatically block a final payment that is much higher than the original pending amount. If this happens, the pending money returns to your card within 7 days. Please contact the merchant to correct the bill, or pay them another way.
How to check your balance and pending amounts
- Open the Prezzee App.
- Tap Wallet.
- Find your PrezzeePay card and tap View.
- Check your balance and your transaction history to see any pending amounts.
Still need help?
If you were charged the wrong amount, or you don't recognise a charge, please contact the merchant directly.