What is Chargeback?

A chargeback is the reversal of a card payment through your own bank when a paid-for service was not delivered or not delivered as agreed.

Also called: Payment dispute.

How it works#

The process runs through the card issuer and the network’s rules rather than through the merchant. It is bound by deadlines counted from the service date and requires evidence that the provider was asked first and failed to resolve it. When a travel provider fails, a chargeback is often the only route that actually returns money, since claims against the estate rarely pay out.

Not to be confused with#

A chargeback is not the same as a refund from the provider: a refund comes from the contracting party, a chargeback forces repayment through the payment chain.

In German#

The German term is Rückbuchung. German version of this term

Related terms#

• Card fraud: Card fraud is a payment made without the cardholder’s authorisation, for example using stolen card details.
• Refund: A refund is the repayment of the fare when a flight is cancelled or the passenger no longer wants to travel after a disruption.
• Travel voucher: A travel voucher is credit with the airline offered instead of a repayment, redeemable only against that airline’s own services.

Articles that use this term#

• What is a chargeback and when does it apply?
• How do you spot card fraud and what do you do next?
• Do you have to accept a voucher instead of cash?
• What do US airlines owe you when your flight is cancelled?