Why do airline authorizations remain pending for several days?
Short answer
Airline authorizations remain pending because flight purchases go through multiple verification and settlement steps before funds are captured. While most pending charges clear within 9 days, airline and travel-related authorizations can remain pending for up to 30 days due to fraud screening, ticket issuance checks, and delayed settlement cycles.
How airline payment authorization works
When you book a flight, the payment doesn't transfer immediately. Instead, it follows a multi-stage process:
- Authorization: Your bank verifies the card is valid and funds are available, placing a temporary hold on your account.
- Clearing: The airline's bank bundles approved transactions and sends them through the card network (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), which routes them to issuing banks.
- Settlement: Banks transfer the actual funds and the merchant receives payment minus processing fees.
Because these steps are processed in batches rather than in real time, charges may remain pending for several days even when the booking appears complete.
Why airline charges stay pending longer
Airline transactions are treated as higher risk than everyday purchases, which introduces additional delays. Airlines do not issue tickets immediately after authorization; they wait to confirm passenger and booking details, verify seat availability, and complete internal reconciliation and compliance checks. These steps are often processed in scheduled batches rather than in real time, adding additional time before the charge settles.
Key things to know
- Pending airline authorizations are normal and expected
- Delays do not mean the charge failed or will be duplicated
- Settlement timing depends on airline and banking processes, not the booking interface
- Charges typically resolve automatically without action
What this means for corporate travel
When employees book travel on Ramp cards, the same authorization timelines apply. However, Ramp provides real-time visibility into pending transactions and automatically collects receipts once charges settle, eliminating manual follow-up for business travel expenses.
If immediate booking confirmation is critical, contact the airline directly to verify ticket issuance status rather than relying solely on pending authorization status.