If your card transaction at a gas station shows a pending charge higher than your consumption, ($175 charge), know this is expected behavior at many fuel stations and is not an error.
Where this happens
This applies when using your card at:
Automated Fuel Dispensers (MCC 5542)
Service Stations with or without ancillary services (MCC 5541)
These are standard merchant categories used by gas stations worldwide.
What’s actually happening
At automated fuel dispensers (pay-at-the-pump), gas stations don’t know in advance how much fuel you’ll buy, so they:
Place a temporary authorization hold (commonly $175)
Check that sufficient funds are available
Allow fueling
Replace the hold with the actual fuel amount
Release the unused balance
Minimum balance requirement
To use your ether.fi card at gas stations (pay-at-the-pump), you need at least an equivalent to 175 USD available in your Direct or Borrow balance.
This threshold is recommended by Visa and is used across the industry to reduce failed transactions when the final fuel amount is unknown at the time of authorization.
If your available balance is below this amount, the transaction may be declined, even if you plan to buy less fuel.
How long the hold lasts
Typically 1–3 business days. The release timing depends on how quickly the gas station finalizes the transaction. ether.fi cannot speed this up or override it.
How to avoid a pre-authorization hold when consuming at gas stations
Pay inside the station (not at the pump) if you know exactly how much gas you will need.
Need help?
If a hold remains after 3 business days, or if you need help using your card at gas stations, reach out to support and we’ll take a look.