Refund approved but not received

An approved refund can still take time to land, and sometimes it gets stuck between the airline, the agent and your bank. Work through these steps in order to find out where your money is.

1. 1

   Find your refund confirmation

   Check your inbox (and spam folder) for a refund confirmation. Note the date it was approved — every timeline counts from that date, not from the day you first asked.

2. 2

   Check the payment method you booked with

   Refunds almost always go back to the original card or account. Look at transactions around the expected date — refunds sometimes appear with the airline's name rather than the agent's.

3. 3

   Allow the full processing window

   Card refunds typically take 5–15 business days to post after they're sent. Banks and card providers vary, and weekends or holidays add days.

4. 4

   Gather your evidence

   Have your booking reference, the refund confirmation, and any case numbers ready. If you call your bank, ask whether a credit is pending on the card used.

5. 5

   Open a case with your reference number

   If the window has passed with no sign of the money, submit a support request with your booking reference and approval date so the payment can be traced officially.

6. 6

   Escalate if the trace stalls

   If a trace confirms the refund was sent but never arrived, ask your bank about a credit trace or dispute. Keep every email and reference number in one place.