Why do some international charges post days later at a different amount?

The initial authorization creates a temporary hold at one exchange rate, but the final settlement—which happens 1–5 business days later—uses the exchange rate in effect when the transaction actually clears.

Why the amount changes

Several factors cause the final posted amount to differ from the initial authorization:

Exchange rate timing: The exchange rate used at authorization is a provisional estimate. By the time the transaction settles days later, the rate has often changed. If the dollar weakens against the foreign currency during that window, your final charge will be higher.

Currency conversion at settlement: Card networks apply the final currency conversion rate during settlement, not at authorization. This conversion is recalculated when the charge posts, which can cause the final amount to differ from the pending amount.

Pre-authorization holds: Hotels, car rentals, and other merchants often place authorization holds higher than the expected final charge to cover potential additional costs. The hold amount you see pending is not the final charge—it’s replaced days later with the actual settled amount.

Multiple intermediaries: International payments move through card networks and clearing systems where currency conversion is applied. These adjustments occur during the multi-day settlement process and can cause differences between the authorized and posted amounts.

The settlement timeline

1. Authorization (immediate): You make a purchase. Your bank places a temporary hold and verifies funds are available.
2. Batching (within 24 hours): The merchant bundles your transaction with others and submits the batch for clearing.
3. Clearing (1–2 business days): The batch moves through card networks and clearing houses, where currency conversion is calculated.
4. Settlement (1–2 business days): Your bank receives the final transaction details and posts the charge to your account.

Weekends and holidays extend this timeline. A transaction authorized Friday evening may not settle until Wednesday or Thursday.

How Ramp handles international charges

Ramp cards follow standard settlement timelines for international transactions, but the platform provides better visibility:

• Real-time notifications alert cardholders when transactions are authorized and when they post, making it easier to track amount changes.
• Automatic receipt matching helps reconcile the final posted amount with the original purchase.
• Transaction details show both the foreign currency amount and the USD equivalent, along with any conversion applied at settlement.
• Spend controls let you set limits to prevent unexpected charges from exceeding budgets due to exchange rate fluctuations.

Best practices

• Review pending charges carefully. The pending amount is an estimate and will likely change before posting.
• Account for 1–5 business days between authorization and final settlement when reconciling expenses.
• Expect small differences between the authorized and posted amounts due to exchange rate movements.
• Use cards with transparent FX policies when possible to reduce uncertainty.