Refund Amount Lower Than Original Payment — Where Did the Money Go?

You received your refund.

But the amount looks wrong.

It’s lower than what you paid.

You check again.

The numbers don’t match.

It feels like part of the refund is missing.

In most cases, currency conversion differences cause the gap.


Why Refund Amounts Can Be Lower

  • Exchange rates changed between payment and refund
  • Foreign transaction fees were non-refundable
  • Currency conversion occurred twice
  • Bank processing fees were deducted

Refunds follow the reversal rate — not the original purchase rate.


How Currency Timing Affects Refund Value

  • You paid when your currency was strong
  • Refund processed when your currency weakened
  • Conversion loss occurs during reversal

Even small rate shifts can change refund totals.


Other Factors That Reduce Refund Totals

  • Dynamic currency conversion at checkout
  • International processing spreads
  • Card network adjustment margins

Not all cross-border fees are reversible.


When to Dispute a Reduced Refund

  • If loss exceeds expected exchange variation
  • If merchant charged refund processing fees
  • If refund currency differs from original charge

Request the refund settlement rate for verification.

Refund totals may shrink — but remain mathematically traceable.