You requested a refund.
You expected money back to your card or bank.
Instead — you received store credit.
Or reward points.
Or wallet balance.
No cash refund appeared.
It feels misleading.
It feels like the refund was downgraded.
But credit-based refunds are often policy-driven — not an error.
Why Refunds Are Issued as Credit Instead of Cash
- Purchase was made using promotional credits
- Terms of service restrict cash reversals
- Refund policy defaults to original non-cash value
- Platform wallet systems process internal reversals faster
Refund method usually mirrors the original payment structure.
Common Situations Where Credit Refunds Happen
- App store or in-platform purchases
- Gift card funded payments
- Bonus or promotional discounts applied
- Subscription trials converted to paid credits
When cash was never directly charged — cash is rarely returned.
How to Verify the Refund Value
- Check wallet or account credit balance
- Review refund confirmation email
- Compare refunded credits to original charge value
- Confirm expiration dates on issued credits
Some credits may carry usage limits or expiry periods.
When You Can Request a Cash Refund
- If payment was fully card-funded
- If credits were issued without policy disclosure
- If local consumer laws require cash reversal
Support may convert credits to cash refunds upon formal request.
Credit refunds feel restrictive — but follow billing policy logic.