What Pending Charges on Your Credit Card Actually Mean in Singapore

When you make a purchase with your credit card, the transaction will usually not display on your account statement right away. Pending transactions are a common feature of credit card use in Singapore.  Here's a breakdown of what they are, how long they take to clear, and what to do if something doesn't seem right.

What does “pending” mean on your credit card?

You can think of a pending transaction as a charge that has been authorised, but not finalised. So technically, you haven’t been billed just yet — but your available credit is temporarily reduced.

Does it affect your balance?

• Yes: It eats into your available limit (what you can still spend).

• No: It doesn’t show up in your official statement balance, yet.

• Good news: No interest is charged on pending transactions.

Don’t freak out if you see a large charge that disappears — some pre-authorisations (like hotel deposits) never become actual charges.

» MORE : Why you should use your credit card to pay for everything

Does a pending charge eat into your limit?

If it feels like that charge from your Jollibee lunch is stuck in limbo, you’re not imagining it. The standard clearance time is between 1 to 3 business days, but some credit card issuers are the exception — more on that later.

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Typical clearance time for credit card transactions

As mentioned earlier, most clear in 1 to 3 business days, especially if you’re buying from local merchants like NTUC FairPrice, Grab, or Guardian. But some charges can take up to 7–10 days, especially if:

• You’re staying at a hotel (they finalise at checkout).

• You rented a car at Changi Airport.

• You shopped from an overseas site.

• There’s a public holiday.

Estimated clearance times by Singapore issuers

• DBS/POSB: 10 days

• UOB: UOB does not specify exact timelines, but it's common for transactions to clear within 1 to 3 business days 

• OCBC: OCBC does not specify exact timelines, but it's common for transactions to clear within 1 to 3 business days 

• Citibank SG: 1 - 15 days 

• HSBC SG: Up to 2 days 

Why it takes time for pending charges to post

There are two players in this tango:

• Merchant (e.g. Shopee, Cathay Cineplexes): Sends the transaction info in batches.

• Issuer (your bank): Waits for the final confirmation to post the charge.

Furthermore, if your transaction involves a foreign currency, more time may be required to finalise the exchange rate and complete the conversion.  The final amount posted to your account is determined by the currency rate at the time of settlement, which may be different from the rate at the time of purchase. This process could prolong the pending period. ​

Will this pending charge appear on my bill?

If the charge is still pending when your statement closes, it’ll carry over to the next billing cycle once it posts.

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The difference between a transaction and a temporary hold

A pending transaction is your usual purchase-in-progress.

A hold (also called a pre-authorisation) is like a financial safety deposit — a temporary freeze on funds to secure payment before the actual service happens.

Common hold examples in Singapore:

Hotels: Holding $200–$300 for incidentals. 

Many hotels in Singapore place a pre-authorisation hold on your credit card to cover potential incidental charges during your stay. For instance, Marina Bay Sands specifies:​

"A deposit of $200 is applicable for each night of stay by way of cash payment or debit/credit card."​

Car rentals: Holding ~$300 in case of damage or toll charges.

​According to Avis Singapore's official FAQ, a pre-authorised hold of $300 is placed on your credit card at the time of rental. This hold typically appears on your bank statement for 7–10 days, depending on your bank, before being released. ​

While Avis specifies a $300 hold, it's important to note that the exact amount can vary depending on the rental company, vehicle type, and rental duration. These holds are standard practice to ensure coverage for any additional charges that may arise during the rental period.​

Other car rental companies like SGCarMart offer free deposits.For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's advisable to check directly with the specific car rental company at the time of booking.

Petrol kiosks: Auto-holding ~$150 regardless of how much petrol you pump.

When using the "Pay-at-the-Pump" feature at petrol stations like Esso in Singapore, a temporary hold is placed on your credit card. Esso specifies:​

"When you pay at the pump, your bank will place a temporary hold of $150 on your credit card. Your card will be charged only for the actual amount of fuel purchased, with the holding amount returned in approximately 10 working days."​

This hold ensures that sufficient funds are available to cover the fuel purchase and is adjusted to the actual amount once the transaction is completed.

» Best petrol credit cards in Singapore

How to dispute or cancel a pending charge

Talk to the merchant before your bank

If you notice a duplicate charge or a transaction for an order you didn't receive, your first course of action should be to reach out to the merchant directly. They can:

• Confirm the transaction's validity.

• Reverse or cancel the charge if it's erroneous.

For instance, if you ordered from an online retailer and canceled the order but still see a pending charge, the merchant can often rectify this promptly.

If the merchant can’t help, go to the source

If the merchant is unresponsive or unable to resolve the issue:

Reach out to your bank's customer service through:

• Mobile app chatbots (e.g., DBS digibot, OCBC assistant).

• Customer service hotlines listed on the back of your credit card.

Inquire about the transaction, asking whether it will clear or drop off and what steps you can take. For example, DBS Bank advises customers to contact them if they notice any discrepancies in their transactions.

What to do if a pending charge posts incorrectly

If the pending charge posts to your account and is clearly an error, you should submit a dispute with your card issuer. This typically involves filling out a dispute form.

You will need to provide supporting documents like:

• Screenshots of the charge.

• Correspondence with the merchant.

• Receipts or proof of cancellation.

Timeframe: Most banks require disputes to be filed within 60 days from the date of the transaction. ​

Investigation duration: The investigation process may take up to 60 days, during which the bank will review the case and may issue a temporary credit to your account. ​

It's crucial to act promptly and provide all necessary documentation to facilitate a smooth resolution.

» LEARN MORE : Reversing unauthorised credit card transactions in Singapore