Gas stations can take between 2 hours and 3 days to charge your credit or debit card when you pay at the pump. The gas station may place a temporary hold on your card for up to $175 until the final purchase amount is charged to your account. The amount of the hold and how long it applies ultimately depend on the gas station, the issuer, and the credit card network.
Why a Hold on Your Card is Necessary
When you insert your card at the gas pump, the retailer doesn’t know how much gas you will purchase, so it charges a hold to make sure enough money is available to cover the purchase. Once you complete the purchase, the gas station sends the card’s issuer the final amount, and the hold is released.
This answer was first published on 11/24/22. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
