Completed and pending payments explained
Learn the key differences between completed and pending payment statuses, what each means for your transactions, and what to do in each situation.
Completed payment
A completed payment means the transaction is finished and the money has successfully moved from one account to another.
What this means:
- Funds have left the sender's account
- Money has arrived in the recipient's account
- The transaction cannot be reversed (except through refunds or chargebacks)
- Both parties can see the final transaction
Pending payment
A pending payment is a transaction that's been authorized but not yet finalized. The money is "on hold" but hasn't actually moved yet.
What this means:
- Your bank has approved the transaction
- Funds are temporarily reserved in your account
- The money hasn't reached the recipient yet
- The transaction could still be cancelled or declined
Why do payments stay pending?
Common reasons include:
- Merchant delays (waiting to ship products)
- Security checks (fraud prevention)
- Weekend/holiday processing (banks aren't working)
- International transfers (crossing borders takes time)
- Additional charges pending (like hotel incidentals)
What should you do?
For Pending Payments:
- Check back in 1-3 business days
- Contact the merchant if it's been too long
- Don't assume the money is available to spend elsewhere
For Completed Payments:
- The transaction is final
- Contact the merchant directly for refunds
- Check your account statements for confirmation