Pre-authorisation or completed rental charge?
A pending card entry can look like a payment even when it is an authorisation. Understanding the transaction status helps you ask the rental company or card issuer the right question.
Use Following up a rental deposit after return when a hold remains after return. Use Checking the final rental invoice against your booking if a transaction has settled and needs reconciling with actual charges.
Identify the status before disputing it
Compare the booking receipt, rental agreement and card statement. Note whether the card issuer labels the entry pending, reserved or completed. Ask the issuer what that label means for your account; screen wording varies and a missing receipt does not by itself prove an error.
Reconcile the final bill
At return, compare the final invoice with completed transactions and any remaining holds. A temporary overlap between an authorisation and final payment needs a different explanation from two completed charges. Keep the transaction dates and references, but remove full card numbers from ordinary email correspondence.
Compare a hold and final payment correctly
An illustrative €900 pending authorisation alongside a €220 completed rental payment does not by itself prove €1,120 has been permanently charged. Ask the issuer to identify the status of each entry. If two €220 payments have both settled, that is a different enquiry requiring a payment reconciliation.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Pending authorisation | Ask when and how it can be released |
| Completed payment | Match it with an invoice or receipt |
| Refund | Trace it as a separate transaction |
Your practical checklist
- Record each amount, currency and transaction date.
- Ask for the authorisation-release reference when relevant.
- Use the card issuer’s secure process for a disputed completed charge.
The question to resolve before you proceed
Is this entry still a hold, or has it settled as a payment?
Explore the full topic in Rental payments, cards and deposits.
