How Long Do Hotel Pending Charges Last?

When you check into a hotel, you will often provide a payment card to cover the cost of your stay. Hotels frequently initiate a “pending charge” or “authorization hold” on this card at the beginning of your visit. This common financial practice ensures the hotel can secure funds for your room rate and any potential additional expenses. This article clarifies the nature of these charges, their typical duration, reasons they might last longer, and steps to take if a charge remains pending for an extended period.

What Are Hotel Pending Charges?

A hotel pending charge is a temporary hold placed on a portion of your available credit limit or bank balance, rather than an immediate deduction of funds. This process, known as a pre-authorization, verifies that your account has sufficient funds to cover the anticipated costs of your stay. It acts as a reservation of funds, signaling to the hotel that payment is likely to be received when the final transaction is processed. Hotels use these holds to protect against potential financial losses.

The hold amount typically includes the room rate and taxes, along with an additional sum to cover incidentals such as room service, mini-bar purchases, or potential damages to the property. Unlike a final charge, a pending transaction does not immediately transfer money from your account but temporarily reduces your available spending power.

How Long Do They Typically Last?

Hotel pending charges generally remain on a bank statement for a limited duration after your check-out. Most often, a hold will be released within 24 hours of checking out, though it can sometimes take up to a week for the charge to disappear from your account. The typical timeframe for these holds to clear is often cited as 3 to 10 business days following your departure.

The exact duration can vary based on several factors, including the specific hotel’s internal policies and the processing times of your bank or credit card issuer. While the hotel initiates the hold and later sends the final charge, the ultimate release of the pending amount is often managed by your card issuer. This means that even if the hotel quickly processes your final bill, the financial institution might take a few additional days to update your account balance.

Why They Might Last Longer

Several factors can cause a hotel pending charge to remain on your statement for longer than the typical period. Bank processing times play a significant role, as weekends and holidays can delay the release of funds, extending the hold beyond standard business days.

If additional charges were incurred during your stay, such as dining or resort fees, the hotel might delay finalizing the bill to ensure all expenses are included before converting the hold to a final charge. Unresolved disputes or issues with the hotel, such as a disagreement over a charge or a service complaint, can also prolong the hold period.

Extended stays or multiple authorizations during a long visit might lead to several pending charges, each with its own clearing timeline. Furthermore, specific hotel policies, particularly those involving manual processes or less frequent batch processing of transactions, can result in longer hold periods. System errors or communication delays between the hotel’s payment system and your bank’s processing network can also contribute to unexpected delays in releasing the hold.

What to Do About a Prolonged Charge

If a hotel pending charge persists on your statement beyond the typical timeframe, there are specific steps you can take to address the issue. First, confirm the official check-out date and reference the expected processing time, which is generally 3 to 10 business days after departure.

Next, contact the hotel directly to inquire about the status of the hold. Provide your reservation details and the exact amount of the pending charge. Request confirmation that the hold has been released or inquire about the reason for any delay.

If the hotel confirms the hold was released but it still appears on your statement, or if they cannot provide a clear resolution, your next step is to contact your bank or credit card company. Provide your financial institution with all relevant details, including the hotel’s response and any documentation from your stay. Your bank can often provide insight into the transaction’s status and may be able to intervene or initiate a dispute. Maintaining a record of all communications, including dates, times, and names of individuals you speak with, will be helpful throughout this process.