What's the difference between my available balance and my total balance?

I called the number on the back of my VISA check card to see how much money I had to spend. It told me two numbers. The available balance was smaller than the total balance. Which one is money that I really have to spend?|||The available balance is what you can actually use. Don't spend more than that or you will get some hefty fines.|||Available balance is the money you can spend now. If they're suggesting a total balance then that means you have deposits / credits that haven't cleared your account as of yet. When in doubt always go with the smaller amount. That way you know you'll never be overdrawn.|||Your available balance is the money you have that you can spend.





Some banks require you to keep a minimum amount in the account at all times. Your available balance is the total balance minus this minimum amount.|||the available balance is what is actually in your account that you can spend. the total balance is not updated to include payments that may not have cleared yet.