Void vs refund vs reversal: three ways to undo a card payment
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
- 1Your card appears in your app
- 2Tap it to pay in a shop
- 3See every payment as it happens
When a card payment needs undoing, the right tool depends on how far the payment has travelled. Catching it early is usually quicker for the customer and cheaper for the business.
The three options
Tap to explore
Tap each one to see what it means.
Void
cancel a payment before it settles, usually the same day, so the money never moves.
Authorisation reversal
release a hold on a card, such as a hotel or fuel deposit, that won't be captured.
Refund
send money back after the payment has settled, as a new transaction.
How quickly customers see the money
A void or reversal often clears a pending charge within hours or a few days, depending on the card issuer. A refund can take several working days to appear, because it travels back through the card network like a new payment.
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Why it matters for costs
Voids and reversals are often cheaper for the business than refunds, and some providers keep the original processing fee when a refund is made. Undoing a mistake quickly also helps avoid a chargeback.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay doesn't offer card machines or acquiring. SendPay platforms let you get paid with payment links, invoices and subscriptions, alongside GBP, EUR and USD accounts and branded Visa cards, powered by licensed partners.
How it works
Your own money app- 1Name it and pick your colours
- 2Choose what it does
- 3Launch when you are ready
Why sign up
Create your free SendPay account
It's all about creating your own financial platform with ease. Start with a free account today.
- 🪪A free business accountOpen it in about a minute with your business name, email, password and mobile. No card and no documents to start.
- 💳Get paid from day oneTake card payments, and share your own payment link and invoices so customers pay in a click.
- 🌐A free business websiteFree to build, free to publish and free to keep, with unlimited visits.
- 🚀Your own financial platformDesign and preview your whole platform free, then launch when you are ready.
SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.
Questions people ask
What does a chargeback really cost?
Weigh refunding, accepting or fighting a dispute.
Chargeback cost calculator →What is authorisation vs capture?
The two steps that take a card payment from approval to charge.
Authorisation vs capture →What is a pre-authorisation?
A temporary hold on a card before the final amount is known.
Pre-authorisation →What is the difference between a refund and a chargeback?
A refund comes from the business; a chargeback is forced by the bank.
Refund vs chargeback →Read next
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.