Refunds usually take longer than payments. When a merchant refunds you, the money passes from the merchant to their bank, through the card network, and then to Sykka before it reaches your account. Here are the most common reasons a refund hasn't shown up.
The merchant hasn't processed it yet
A refund only starts once the merchant issues it on their side. Cancelling an order or returning an item doesn't always trigger a refund immediately — some merchants take several days to process returns. Check with the merchant for a refund confirmation and reference number.
The refund is still on its way to us
Once the merchant issues a refund, it typically takes 5–10 business days to reach Sykka through the card network. We credit your account as soon as the funds arrive. If the merchant confirms they've refunded but it's been more than 10 business days, contact us with the refund confirmation and we'll trace it.
The refund was a released hold, not a credit
If a merchant cancels a transaction before it settles, the hold on your account is simply released — you won't see a separate refund line. Check whether the original charge has disappeared from your pending transactions.
The refund went somewhere else
Merchants sometimes refund to a different card, to store credit, or via a different method than the one you paid with. Confirm with the merchant which card or method the refund was sent to. If you've replaced your Sykka card since the purchase, refunds to the old card number are still routed to your account.
The refund amount is different from what you paid
Changes in exchange rates and any fees charged on the original transaction may affect the amount returned to your Sykka balance. As a result, the refund amount may be slightly higher or lower than the original payment amount.
The transaction was completed
If goods or services were delivered and the merchant considers the order fulfilled, they may not issue a refund. If you believe you're owed one — for example, the item was faulty or not as described — raise it with the merchant first. If they don't resolve it, you can open a dispute with us. See our Transaction Disputes & Chargebacks article.
What you can expect when waiting for a refund on Sykka？
Merchant processing: The refund starts only once the merchant issues it. Some merchants process returns within a day; others take several days after receiving the returned item. Ask the merchant for a refund confirmation and reference number.
Payment network transfer: Once the merchant approves the refund, it may take several business days to move through the card network to Sykka.
Sykka posting: As soon as we receive the funds, the amount is credited to your Sykka balance and appears in your card transactions. You can check the status in the Transactions section of the Sykka app.