You received the refund confirmation.
The merchant says it’s done.
But your card balance hasn’t changed.
This usually happens because refunds move slower than payments.
A processed refund doesn’t hit your card instantly.
Why Refunds Take Longer to Appear
- Merchants release refunds before banks post them
- Card networks process refunds in batches
- International refunds require extra verification
- Weekends and holidays delay posting
How to Tell the Refund Is on the Way
- You received a refund confirmation email
- The original charge shows as refunded or reversed
- The amount is no longer marked as pending
- The timeline is within 5–10 business days
What You Should Not Do Yet
- Don’t dispute the charge immediately
- Don’t assume the refund failed
- Don’t repay for the same service
- Wait until the refund window ends
When a refund is issued but not visible on your card, it’s usually a posting delay—not a missing refund.