You checked the payment screen.
You saw the exact price before confirming.
The charge went through.
The service activated normally.
But when you checked your card statement, the number was different.
Higher or lower — but not identical.
This mismatch usually comes from currency conversion and processing adjustments.
Why the Charged Amount Looks Different
- Foreign currency conversion applied after authorization
- Exchange rate changed between approval and settlement
- Card network processing fees included
- Issuer bank foreign transaction fees added
Authorization and settlement rarely use the exact same rate.
Authorization vs Settlement — The Key Difference
- Authorization holds an estimated converted amount
- Settlement finalizes the real exchange rate
- The final billed amount reflects settlement timing
This gap creates visible statement differences.
How to Verify the Real Charged Amount
- Check the foreign currency original charge
- Review exchange rate used by your card issuer
- Look for foreign transaction fee breakdown
- Confirm settlement date conversion rate
If all elements match, the billing is accurate.
When to Contact Your Card Provider
- If the difference exceeds normal FX variance
- If duplicate foreign fees appear
- If settlement rate seems abnormal
Most mismatched totals are caused by exchange timing — not billing errors.