Waiting for a refund is one of the more frustrating parts of a cancelled trip, largely because the timeline is set by the supplier rather than the site you booked through — and because the money often moves in two separate steps that people experience as one delay.
The short answer
Refunds are approved by the supplier and processed back through the original payment method. Card refunds commonly take 5 to 10 business days to appear after approval, though they can take longer, and the clock usually starts when the supplier approves the refund rather than when you requested it. A pending refund is not lost — it is in transit.
Why refunds take as long as they do
There are two stages, and confusing them is why refunds feel broken:
- Approval. The supplier — airline, hotel or rental company — decides whether a refund is due and authorises it. This is where the policy is applied, and it is frequently the slower stage because it may involve a person.
- Settlement. The money then travels back through the payment network to your card issuer and onto your statement. This stage is largely automated but not instant.
When you contact support to ask "where is my refund", you are usually asking about stage two when the hold-up is stage one. Getting a clear answer on whether the refund has been approved is the useful question.
Typical timelines by booking type
| Booking type | Typical timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flight, refundable fare | 5–10 business days after approval | Airline must approve first, which can add time |
| Flight cancelled by the airline | 5–10 business days, often faster | Refund is owed regardless of fare class |
| Hotel, flexible rate | 3–7 business days | Usually the quickest category |
| Car rental | 3–7 business days | Deposit holds release separately and slower |
| Package | Longer — both components must clear | Priced as one product, refunded as one |
| Travel credit | Immediate | Not a refund — no cash moves |
Refund, credit, or nothing — the distinction that costs money
These three outcomes get used interchangeably in conversation and they are not the same:
- Refund — money returns to your original payment method. You can spend it anywhere.
- Travel credit — value held with the airline or supplier, usually expiring, often non-transferable, and sometimes only usable on the same carrier. It is not money.
- Nothing — what a non-refundable fare returns if you simply do not travel.
If you are offered a credit where you expected a refund, ask which one you are actually entitled to under the fare rules. Being offered a credit is not the same as being owed only a credit — see refundable versus non-refundable tickets.
If the airline cancelled your flight
This is the situation where you have the strongest rights, and it is worth being firm about it. If an airline cancels your flight, or makes a significant schedule change, you are generally entitled to a refund to the original payment method — not a credit — regardless of fare class. You are also entitled to it even if the airline offers a rebooking instead; the choice is yours.
See your rights when a flight is cancelled or delayed for the specifics, including what counts as significant.
How to chase a delayed refund
- Find out whether it has been approved. This is the question that matters. An unapproved refund is a policy question; an approved one is a payment question.
- Get a reference number for the refund itself, separate from the booking reference.
- Check your card statement, not just your app. Refunds post to the statement and may not show in the booking provider's interface.
- Allow the full window before escalating. Ten business days is fourteen calendar days, and weekends and holidays do not count in the card network's timelines.
- Keep everything written. Confirmation emails, chat transcripts, the refund reference and the date you were told it was approved.
Independent flight booking assistance service. Not affiliated with any airline. This is a toll-free number, free to call from anywhere in the US.
What is not a refund delay
- A pending authorisation. A hold that never became a charge will release on its own, usually within a few days. It is not a refund — no money ever left your account.
- A chargeback. Different process, different timeline, and filing one while a refund is in progress can complicate both.
- A charge you do not recognise. Check whether it is a separate booking under the same trip, a supplier's incidental charge, or a currency conversion before disputing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Expedia refunds take?
Commonly 5 to 10 business days to appear, counted from when the supplier approves the refund rather than when you requested it. Hotel refunds are often quicker than flight refunds, and package refunds take longer because both components must clear.
Why is my refund taking so long?
Usually because it is still awaiting supplier approval rather than being delayed in payment. Ask specifically whether the refund has been approved — that answer tells you which stage you are actually waiting on.
Do I get a refund or a credit if I cancel?
It depends on the fare or rate rules of your specific booking. Flexible rates and refundable fares return cash; discounted and non-refundable bookings usually return a credit or nothing. If the airline cancelled the flight, you are entitled to a refund regardless of fare class.
Can I get a refund to a different card or account?
Generally no. Refunds return to the original payment method as a fraud-prevention measure, which is why a cancelled card can delay things — in that case the issuer usually routes the money to your account once you contact them.
What if my refund never arrives?
Get the refund reference number and the approval date, then contact your card issuer with both. The card network has its own dispute process, and a documented approved refund is strong evidence in it.
Is a travel credit the same as a refund?
No. A credit is value held with the supplier, usually with an expiry and often restricted in how it can be used. Ask which one your fare rules actually entitle you to before accepting either.
If a refund has gone quiet and you cannot get a straight answer on whether it was ever approved, that is worth chasing properly rather than waiting — our agents can help you work out which stage it is stuck at and what to do next.
Independent flight booking assistance service. Not affiliated with any airline. This is a toll-free number, free to call from anywhere in the US. Learn more