What does pending mean on Walmart?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

When you see the status “pending” on Walmart, it typically refers to authorization holds or pending charges on your payment method. This is a common practice for retailers to verify the availability of funds before shipping your order.

An authorization hold is a temporary hold placed on your payment method to ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover the purchase. It is not an actual charge, but rather a way for the retailer to verify that your payment method is valid and has enough funds available. During this period, the funds are “reserved” and cannot be used for other purchases.

The reason you may see more than one authorization hold, sometimes for the same amount, is because retailers often refresh or update these holds to ensure the funds are still available. This is especially true for pre-orders or items that are not immediately available for shipping. Each time the authorization hold is updated, it may appear as a new pending charge on your account.

It’s important to note that these authorization holds will not result in an actual charge until the items are shipped. Once the order is shipped, the pending charges are converted into actual charges, and the funds are deducted from your account. The pending charges will then disappear, and you will only see the final charge for the total amount of your purchase.

While it can be confusing to see multiple pending charges or authorization holds, it’s essential to keep track of your account balance and ensure you have enough funds to cover your purchases. If you’re concerned about the pending charges or have any questions, it’s always a good idea to reach out to Walmart’s customer service for clarification.

In my personal experience, I have encountered pending charges on my account when making online purchases. It initially confused me to see multiple pending charges for the same amount, but after contacting customer service, I learned that it was a common practice to ensure the availability of funds. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your account and regularly check for any updates or changes in the pending charges.

To summarize, pending charges or authorization holds on Walmart indicate that the retailer is verifying the availability of funds on your payment method before shipping your order. These are temporary holds and will not result in an actual charge until the items are shipped. It’s important to monitor your account balance and reach out to Walmart’s customer service if you have any concerns or questions about the pending charges.