When you receive a refund or chargeback on your credit card, the timing and method of crediting depends on whether you have already repaid the original transaction.
This article explains how refunds are processed and when you can expect to see the money back in your account.
- When the original transaction was already included in a past repayment: The refunded amount is credited immediately to your main account balance.
- When the transaction hasn't been repaid yet: The refund is applied to your outstanding balance, reducing the amount you'll need to repay at the end of the cycle.
👆 Good to know: credit card disputes follow the same process as debit card disputes.
When will I see a merchant-initiated refund on my account or balance?
Merchant refunds usually post as soon as the merchant processes them.
- For already repaid transactions: You will see a credit on your main account right away.
- For transactions not yet repaid: The refund will appear in the credit card section as a negative amount that lowers your outstanding balance for the current cycle.
- When the transaction type can't be determined: If Qonto cannot determine whether the refunded transaction was processed as immediate debit or deferred debit (the most common case for merchant-initiated refunds), you will be credited on your bank account immediately.
How are chargebacks different from merchant refunds?
A refund is initiated by the merchant. A chargeback is approved after an investigation of a dispute you raised.
The crediting logic remains the same:
- Already repaid transactions → Immediate credit to your main account
- Not yet repaid transactions → Applied to reduce your outstanding balance
If Qonto cannot determine the status of the original transaction (immediate vs deferred debit, repaid or not), you will be credited on your bank account immediately.
💡 Any excess after your outstanding balance reaches €0 is credited to your main account at the repayment date.
Do partial refunds work the same way?
Partial refunds follow the same logic—either as a partial credit to your main account (for already repaid transactions) or as a partial reduction of your outstanding balance (for transactions not yet repaid).
Whether you receive a merchant refund or an approved chargeback, the process is designed to ensure you get your money back efficiently—either by reducing what you owe or by crediting your account directly. If you have any questions about a specific refund, don't hesitate to contact our support team : support@qonto.com