You canceled the payment.
The refund was approved.
But your card balance still looks reduced.
The charge isn’t posted.
Yet the money isn’t available.
It feels like the funds are stuck.
This usually means the authorization hold hasn’t been released.
What an Authorization Hold Means
- Funds are reserved, not charged
- The merchant requested temporary approval
- The bank locked the amount for settlement
No money left your account — but access is restricted.
Why Holds Remain After Cancellation
- Merchant hasn’t released the authorization
- Bank auto-release timeline hasn’t passed
- Weekend or holiday processing delays
- Preauthorization settlement cycles
Cancellation doesn’t always remove holds instantly.
Typical Authorization Hold Release Times
- Credit cards: 3–7 business days
- Debit cards: 5–10 business days
- International holds: up to 14 business days
Some banks release funds only after expiration.
When to Contact Your Bank
- If hold exceeds stated release window
- If merchant confirms cancellation
- If authorization amount differs from charge
Banks can manually release expired holds upon request.
Authorization holds feel like charges — but they’re temporary locks.