
Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
If you’re overcharged for a transaction or you didn’t get what you paid for, you can request a refund to your credit card. In some circumstances, you might also need to contact your credit card provider to get a refund.
In this guide we take a look at the type and timeline for credit card refunds, how they work and other factors to consider so that you can take the right steps to get your money back.
Credit card refunds usually take about 5 business days to process, so don't worry if you don't see it on your account statement immediately. If you receive a bill during this period, pay the balance anyway. Doing this prevents you from accruing interest and will result in a credit to your account. If you are worried that the refund isn't being processed, you can call the bank. A list of most institutions' contact information is listed in the table below.
See Finder's article on what to do if you want to request a refund after you've paid the credit card bill for more information.
If you need to request a refund on your credit card, you should contact your card issuer as quickly as possible. You can find the contact details for most of the major banks and card providers in Australia below:
LENDER | TELEPHONE |
---|---|
American Express | Varies per card. Click here for contact information. |
ANZ | 13 22 73 24 hours. 7 days a week. |
Bank of Melbourne | 13 22 66 24 hours. 7 days a week. |
Citi | 13 24 84 24 hours. 7 days a week. |
Coles Mastercard | 1300 306 397 Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm Sat: 8am-8pm Sun: 8:30am-8pm |
Commonwealth Bank | 13 22 21 24 hours. 7 days a week. |
HSBC | 1300 308 008 Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm |
IMB | 133 462 Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm Sat: 9am-4pm |
Latitude Financial Services | Varies per card. Click here for contact information. |
NAB | 1300 361 138 Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm |
People's Choice | 13 11 82 Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm Sat: 8:30am-4:30pm |
St.George | 13 33 30 24 hours. 7 days a week. |
Virgin Money | 13 37 39 24 hours. 7 days a week. |
Westpac | 132 032 Mon-Sun: 8am-8pm |
There are two main ways to get a credit card refund, which we’ve outlined in detail below:
There are many instances when you can get a credit card refund, either through the business or your credit card provider, depending on the circumstances. Some of the most common scenarios include:
There are some situations where you won’t be eligible for a credit card refund. These include:
You might also be unable to get a credit card refund if the charges are “pre-authorised” and meet the standard practices of a merchant (i.e. a hotel or airline that “holds” funds for a set period of time in case of incidental charges). In this instance, you could contact the merchant to request a release of the funds, rather than an actual refund.
The credit card refund process can vary depending on the merchant and your circumstances, but generally follows the steps below.
Getting a credit card refund from a merchant is relatively straightforward, which is why it’s usually the first port of call. The chargeback process, may involve a little effort:
Whether you need a credit card refund for non-delivery, incorrect charges or simply a change of mind on your purchases, the quickest and easiest option is to contact the merchant directly. If that doesn’t work, you can dispute the transaction through your credit card provider to get a chargeback.
The Finder app hunts down personalised ways for you to save. You could save on your bills, mobile plan, credit card, insurance and more. Pop in your phone number below to get your download link.
By submitting your phone number, you agree to the Finder privacy policy and terms of use
Picture: Getty
Back to topHere are the key things you'll need to know before your cheese company is ready to start operating.
The ANZ Rewards Platinum Credit Card offers a competitive rewards program, $0 annual fee for the first year, a $500 gift card, a balance transfer offer and a range of complimentary insurance covers.
This low rate credit card has a $0 annual fee and is available to firefighters and other service workers or volunteers.
Get your credit card debt sorted before the holiday season and save on interest for up to 30 months with one of these credit card offers.
Take advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer for 30 months and a discounted annual fee for the first year with this Citi Rewards credit card offer.
Get an introductory rate of 7.9% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months and save with an ongoing $0 annual fee with the Health Professionals Bank Credit Card.
How to cut debt and make your credit card work for you.
Only half of Australians who find themselves buried under out-of-control credit card debt could dig themselves out, according to Finder.
This card gives you a way to support a program that matches rescue dogs with veterans in need and enjoy a low interest rate on all your spending.
Finder survey shows coronavirus is leaving millions of Australians at risk of credit card delinquency.
I need a refund for a service not provided but my bank changed my credit card from Visa to MasterCard so am having a hard time getting the refund I have contacted the merchant no reply contacted bank they said the merchant has to refund to new card.
Hello Veronica,
Thank you for your comment.
Usually, when you want a refund to one of your payments, the first point of contact should be the merchant. The merchant processes the refund on their end and forwards it to the bank. The refund will be sent to the payment instrument used. The processing timeframe depends on the bank policy before it reflects to your account.
In your case, you were referred to the merchant because the merchant needs to reprocess the refund and send it to the new card. You should ask the merchant to connect you to the department that handles the refund.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
What happens if a merchant has refunded to a suspended credit card? Will the credit still go through to the customer?
Hi Chis,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Generally, this will depend on the merchant and the credit card issuer. Usually if it’s just suspended (and not cancelled) it will still go through and be credited to the account.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold18
When issuing a refund but using another card can the merchant find out the bank account details through the credit card number?
Hi Kris,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
I would suggest presenting the credit card that you have used for the transaction, or securely give the merchant details of the card (if over the phone or online) so that they can process the refund.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Hi we are merchant and would like to refund a specific amount to our guest Australia’s credit card. Is there any banks fees being deducted on my guest side? I would like to know how much we need to add in so that our guest will not be short changed.
Hi Gillian,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Typically, some banks do apply a fee for chargebacks. Third-party payment processors such as PayPal or SecurePay may also charge additional fees for credit card refunds, with the cost typically ranging from $10–25.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
I paid a certain amount thru my credit card to a company for booking some service. Later I cancelled the booking. The company has agreed to refund a part of the payment. They said they do not need any bank details. Can they refund the amount to my credit card account without asking for any details?
Hi Anil,
Thanks for your question.
When you request a refund from a merchant, generally, you’ll need to provide the details of the credit card you used for the transaction so that the refund can be processed.You may also be required to sign some documents as proof of the refund.
If the company did not require you to provide the details of your credit card, it could be that they already have the needed information. You can also directly call them to verify the status of your refund.
Cheers,
Anndy
Recently we hired a vehicle and were required to make a deposit of $800 which was to be refunded on safe return of the vehicle. We were charged $16.00 transaction fee.
On return we received a credit of $800 but not the $16.00 transaction fee. Does the merchant receive a credit for the original transaction fee ($16.00) when they credited off our original $800??
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your inquiry. Please note you’ve come through to finder.com.au we are an Australian financial comparison website and general information service.
As we may not be able to know your contract with the hire-a-car company, you’d be best to inquire if the $16.00 transaction fee was part of the contract you signed when you rented the vehicle. It could be that this $16 is their fee for providing the service with you that is why it was not refunded and they charged it straight away along with the $800.
Cheers,
May
Ask for refund from the merchant to my debt card but give wrong card, it is same bank same account but different card, I still can get refund?
Hi Elly,
Thanks for your question.
In order for you to get the refund smoothly and easily, you must provide your merchant with the correct credit card details. The information of the card you used when you first processed the payment.
Cheers,
May
Hi, in relation to credit/debit card refund from an international merchant, if said account linked to the card used is blocked/frozen will the transaction still go through or will it need to be cleared ?
Thanks.
Hi Stef,
Thanks for your inquiry.
If your account is blocked/frozen but you’re still making payments for your remaining balance, it’s possible for a refund to go through because it’s currently active. The refund will reflect on your statement. However, if your card has been closed and no longer active, your debit/credit card company cannot accept merchant refunds and the transaction will only bounce back to the merchant. You’ll need to get in touch with the merchant to request an alternate form of payment for the refund.
Cheers,
May
Hi,
Regarding refund by credit card. If you have a receipt but no longer have the credit card it was made with can the goods be refunded to another with the same name. Is it a law to do this or depends on store policy. Thanks
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your questions.
According to the ACCC website, it’s not legally required that the refund be issued on the same card, but different retailers will have different policies regarding this. If you explain the position you are in with the closed credit card account and have a different card through which they can process the refund you may be able to still receive the refund.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
By making a purchase with a credit card and then being issued with a refund of that item also on my credit card.
My question is — how long should this take for thew refund to be put back — given we live in a computer automated society now
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
Processing times differ depending on the card issuer you receive the refund from and their processing times. It can be from a few days to a few weeks, but it would be best to confirm this with your card issuer.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth