How can I get a $0 pending charge removed from my credit card?
Pending charges are temporary holds on your available credit balance until the merchant finalizes the transaction, which typically happens within 1-3 business days.
If you notice a $0 pending charge, it's likely a pre-authorization hold placed by the merchant to verify your card has enough available credit for the purchase.
Pre-authorization holds are common for transactions at gas stations, hotels, or car rental agencies, where the final charge amount may not be known at the time of the initial transaction.
You can usually get a $0 pre-authorization hold removed by contacting the merchant directly and requesting they release the hold, as it's just reserving credit, not an actual charge.
Credit card issuers are required by law to remove any unauthorized charges from your account, so you can dispute a $0 pending charge you don't recognize.
Merchants have up to 24-48 hours to clear a pre-authorization hold, but if it's still pending after 3-5 business days, you can ask your card issuer to step in and remove the hold.
Using your card at an automated fuel dispenser often triggers a higher pre-authorization hold (e.g.
$75) than the actual purchase amount, but this should drop off within a few days.
Some credit card issuers, like Discover, will automatically remove pre-authorization holds after a set time period (e.g.
7 days) if the merchant doesn't finalize the charge.
Certain merchants, like rental car companies, may place a higher pre-authorization hold to cover potential damages or extra charges, but you can request they lower the hold amount.
If a merchant refuses to remove a $0 pending charge you believe is in error, you can file a dispute with your credit card issuer, who is required to investigate.
Pending charges do not immediately impact your credit utilization ratio, but leaving them unresolved for too long can start to affect your credit score.
Being proactive and contacting the merchant or your card issuer right away is key to getting a $0 pending charge removed before it becomes an actual posted transaction.
The Fair Credit Billing Act protects consumers from being held liable for unauthorized credit card charges, including any $0 pending transactions.
Some credit card issuers offer virtual card numbers or one-time use card numbers to help avoid pre-authorization holds for certain transactions.
Monitoring your credit card activity closely and addressing any questionable pending charges quickly can help prevent them from turning into larger billing issues.
In rare cases, a merchant may intentionally place a $0 hold on your card as part of a free trial or subscription sign-up, so be sure to read the fine print.
If a merchant is uncooperative in removing a $0 pending charge, you can escalate the issue to your credit card issuer's fraud department for further investigation.
Pending charges are not included in your current credit card balance, but they can still impact your available credit limit until the hold is released.
Knowing your credit card issuer's specific policies on pending transactions can help you navigate getting $0 holds removed more efficiently.
Keeping detailed records of your communications with the merchant and credit card company can strengthen your case if you need to formally dispute a questionable $0 pending charge.