What are Pending or Reversed card transactions?

This article explains why you may see some card transactions show as Pending or Reversed within the transaction list in the Airwallex Web App.

- What is a Pending card transaction
- How long will a transaction remain Pending?
- Can I stop or cancel a card transaction while it's Pending?
- What is a Reversed card transaction?
- Can the debited transaction amounts be different from pending amounts?

What is a Pending card transaction?

When you use your card to buy goods or services, an online check is done to make sure your card is valid and that you have enough money to pay.

We authorise your transaction and it will show as ‘pending’ on your account until the payment has been fully processed.

While a transaction is pending, the amount is deducted from your available balance, not your account balance.

For more information on these balance types, see this article: Your wallet balances

How long will a transaction remain Pending?

Generally it shouldn’t take longer than 9 business days, although it can take up to 31 business days.

Can I stop or cancel a card transaction while it’s Pending?

We’re unable to stop or cancel a pending transaction until it has been fully processed, even if the card is frozen or cancelled.

Don’t recognise a transaction? You need to wait until the transaction is no longer pending and has fully processed if you wish to dispute it.

For more information on raising a dispute: see this article: How do I dispute a card transaction?

What is a Reversed card transaction?

A Pending card transaction can turn into a Reversed transaction if the merchant you are purchasing from has decided not to go through with debiting your account. A common example of this is a security bond that hotels and car rental companies will hold temporarily, and return to you at the end of your trip. Reversed transactions have not debited your account but we will show you the amount that was originally authorised for your convenience.

Can the debited transaction amounts be different from pending amounts?

Sometimes, the amount that is successfully debited from your account may be different to the amount that was authorised in the pending transaction.

Example 1: You order 4 items costing $25 each and the merchant asks us to authorise a $100 payment. This appears as a pending transaction. One of the items is ready for delivery before the other three, so the merchant completes that $25 transaction. You’ll see $25 successfully debited from your card, while $75 stays as pending.

Example 2: You pay for a hotel before your stay and the hotel asks us to authorise a $200 payment. This appears as a pending transaction. You consume $20 worth of food & drink from the mini bar inside the room. At the end of your stay, you’ll see $220 debited from your card balance.

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