How Does Credit Card Refund Work?

Posted on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 | By IndusInd Bank

Consider a scenario where you ordered a product, but it arrived defective. You decide to request a refund. To do so, you need to return the defective product and ask for the refund to be processed through the same payment mode you originally used. 

If you paid with a credit card, you may wonder how many days it will take for a credit card payment refund to reflect. Typically, credit card refunds may take up to 14 days to appear on your account, based on the retailer’s processing time and your issuer’s policies. 

To learn more about the duration, stepwise process, and some crucial tips on the credit card refund process, continue reading. 

Duration Involved in Credit Card Refund

As mentioned above, a credit card balance refund takes up to 14 days. However, specific factors, such as the merchant’s policies and the issuing bank’s processes, can impact this timeline. It is crucial to check with your issuer and the merchant for specific timelines beforehand to avoid any surprises. 

Credit Card Refund Process

The credit card refund process can be confusing, particularly if you are not familiar with the steps involved. Being aware of how it works is important to ensure you receive your funds back promptly. Here’s a stepwise refund process:

1) Initiating the Refund Request

The initial step is to reach out to the merchant where the purchase was performed. Request them to initiate the refund. Make sure you have all required transaction information, such as the purchase date, amount, and order number or receipt. 

2) Merchant Processing

Once the merchant accepts to refund, they will process the request and inform their payment processor. This step takes a few days based on the internal policies of the merchant and processing speed. 

3) Bank Processing

After the payment processor of the merchant forwards the refund to your issuer, the issuer starts its processing. For instance, suppose you used your IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card for the payment and requested a refund for it. Once IndusInd Bank receives the refund, it will process the payment to your credit card account. During this process, the bank may authenticate the transaction details, which usually take an additional three to five days. 

In case you do not receive the refund within the assured timeline, you may fill out a credit card dispute form available online on IndusInd Bank’s website. With this step, the issuer not only helps you investigate but also ensures proper actions are taken to resolve the matter as soon as possible. 

Besides offering a seamless route to escalate the refund matter for quick resolution, IndusInd Bank also offers enticing benefits through its Legend Credit Card. The benefits offered on the IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card include:

4) Credit Confirmation

Once the refund is processed by your issuer, you will get a confirmation. This can be via an email, SMS, or an update on your credit card statement. Always check your statement to make sure the refund has been correctly performed. 

Read More: How to Use a Credit Card the Right Way to Save Money?

Essential Tips for a Quick Refund

1)  Keep Detailed Records

Ensure to keep transaction details, receipts, and any communication with the merchant. Doing so can help if you need to follow up or escalate the refund matter. 

2)  Follow Up Regularly

Remain in touch with both your issuer and merchant. Regular follow-ups can help expedite the process and ensure your request does not face any delay. 

3)  Know the Policies

Familiarise yourself with both the issuer and merchant’s refund policies. This knowledge can prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary delays.

Ending Note

Undergoing the credit card refund process involves being aware of the duration, following a simple process, and keeping a few key tips in mind. With the correct approach, you can ensure a faster and smoother refund experience. 

IndusInd Bank allows you to escalate the credit card refund dispute if it does not get credited within the assured timeline. Besides offering a smooth process to raise the refund dispute, the issuer, with its Legend Credit Card, offers various enticing benefits. These benefits may be in the form of reward points, a fuel surcharge waiver, and a discounted foreign currency mark-up. 

So, are you ready to experience these benefits? If yes, then apply now!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is generic and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your circumstances. Hence, you are advised to consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision. IndusInd Bank Limited (IBL) does not influence the views of the author in any way. IBL and the author shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for making any financial decisions based on the contents and information.