If your payment is being declined or isn’t going through, there are a few common reasons:
Your card issuer blocked the purchase
Some company or personal cards automatically decline purchases in certain categories, such as entertainment, events, or ticket agents. Our merchant category code is MCC 7922.
Your card issuer blocked the purchase
Some company or personal cards automatically decline purchases in certain categories, such as entertainment, events, or ticket agents. Our merchant category code is MCC 7922.
If this happens, contact your bank or card provider and let them know you’re trying to purchase SXSW credentials. They can usually approve the transaction or temporarily lift the block.
Your billing details don’t match
Make sure your credit card number, billing address, and ZIP/postal code are entered exactly as your card issuer has them on file. Even small differences—such as a space in an international postal code—can cause the transaction to be declined.
Insufficient funds or security checks
Your card may be declined if you’re near your credit limit or if your bank’s fraud-prevention systems flag the purchase as unusual. Contact your bank or card issuer to confirm and approve the transaction.
I see a pending authorization after a failed payment. Was I charged?
No. If your payment attempt was unsuccessful but you see a pending authorization on your statement, SXSW did not collect those funds.
Your bank or card issuer may take 5–10 business days to release the authorization hold. Unfortunately, SXSW is unable to expedite this process.
What should I try next?
Your billing details don’t match
Make sure your credit card number, billing address, and ZIP/postal code are entered exactly as your card issuer has them on file. Even small differences—such as a space in an international postal code—can cause the transaction to be declined.
Insufficient funds or security checks
Your card may be declined if you’re near your credit limit or if your bank’s fraud-prevention systems flag the purchase as unusual. Contact your bank or card issuer to confirm and approve the transaction.
I see a pending authorization after a failed payment. Was I charged?
No. If your payment attempt was unsuccessful but you see a pending authorization on your statement, SXSW did not collect those funds.
Your bank or card issuer may take 5–10 business days to release the authorization hold. Unfortunately, SXSW is unable to expedite this process.
What should I try next?
- Double-check that your billing information matches what your card issuer has on file.
- Contact your bank or card issuer and ask them to approve the transaction.
- Try a different card.
- Try checking out with PayPal or Venmo if the issue continues.
If you’re still unable to complete your purchase, please contact us. We’ll be happy to help you find an alternative solution.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact reg@sxsw.com.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact reg@sxsw.com.