---
title: That 5% gap that's blocking your purchase
description: That 5% gap that's blocking your purchase
---

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# That 5% gap that's blocking your purchase

|  | swype |
| --- | --- |

 

| SPENDING & ACCEPTANCE  •  BALANCE BUFFER ## Why did my purchase get declined with money still on the card? You probably ran into the 95% balance policy. Here's exactly what that means and how to avoid it next time. |  |
| --- | --- |

| READING TIME 2 minutes | LEVEL Basic | YOU'LL NEED Nothing |
| --- | --- | --- |

**Short answer:** a single transaction can't use more than roughly 95% of your available card balance. A small buffer always needs to stay free — this is normal, not a bug.

| ① | ### Why this buffer exists |
| --- | --- |

 Some purchases authorize for slightly more than the final price — think rounding, currency conversion, or small fees applied right at the point of payment. The 5% buffer makes sure there's always a little room for that, so your transaction doesn't fail at the last second over a few cents.

| Card Balance | Maximum Single Transaction |
| --- | --- |
| $20.00 | ~ $19.00 |
| $50.00 | ~ $47.50 |
| $100.00 | ~ $95.00 |

 For example, a $20.00 purchase will typically need a card balance of at least $21.10 to go through.

| ② | ### How to avoid hitting it |
| --- | --- |

| ● | Keep your balance a bit above the purchase amount, not exactly equal to it |
| --- | --- |
| ● | If a purchase is close to your full balance, try a slightly smaller amount |
| ● | If the merchant allows it, split a large purchase into smaller payments |

|  | Important A declined transaction still carries a small decline fee — $0.15 for a domestic decline, $0.55 if it's international — even when the decline is due to this 95% policy. It's worth leaving a buffer up front rather than retrying close to the limit. |
| --- | --- |

Want us to double-check a specific decline?

Share the merchant name and transaction amount and we'll take a look.

[Contact Support →](https://dashboard.swype.cards/help/raise-ticket)

 

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