When a purchase on your Zip account is shown as “pending,” it means the retailer hasn’t finished processing it yet.
While a purchase is pending, the amount is set aside from your available balance. It isn’t owed and you can’t make a repayment toward it until the retailer has fully processed it and it appears as a completed purchase in your account. Most pending purchases clear within 5 business days.
Why is a transaction still pending after 5 business days?
Different retailers process payments at different speeds. The pending status simply allows them to check that the funds are available without actually taking the payment right away.
Here are some examples:
- Pre-ordered items:
- When you pre-order something online, the retailer often won’t finalise the payment until the item is ready to ship. This means the purchase can stay pending from the time you place the order until it has been dispatched.
- Hotel stays:
- Hotels commonly place an authorisation at the time of booking, but only complete the payment after your stay. Your purchase may remain pending until you have checked out.
What can I do about a pending purchase?
If you’re unsure why a purchase is still pending or need it released sooner, please contact the retailer directly. They’ll be able to explain their processing timelines and let you know whether they can cancel or finalise the authorisation.