Reader tip: Getting a refund even after your credit card is canceled
We recently learned that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is refunding canceled Trusted Traveler application fees for New York state residents. Related to this news, a few readers wrote in asking how to get their refund if the card they'd used to pay for the application fee has since been canceled.
These readers obviously shouldn't expect a refund if they applied using a credit card that already reimbursed their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee as a benefit of card membership. But, assuming the application fee wasn't already reimbursed, let's consider the broader question of:
What happens when a refund is issued to a canceled credit card?
Unfortunately, there isn't a straightforward answer to this question, as the answer in your specific case will depend on the specific card issuer, whether the account is closed, how long the card account has been closed, whether you have other accounts with the issuer and potentially other issues. So, let's dive in.
New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our daily newsletter and check out our beginner's guide.
If your card is canceled but the account is open
If your card was canceled but your account was not closed -- perhaps because you lost the physical card or had fraudulent transactions that caused the issuer to send you a new card -- then you shouldn't have a reason to worry. The merchant can issue a refund to your canceled card and the refund will appear on the account associated with your new card.
Related reading: How I learned that my credit card number was stolen
Ask the merchant to issue the refund in a different manner
If you're expecting a refund, perhaps for a returned item or canceled membership, then your first step should be to ask the merchant whether the refund can be issued in a different form. Some merchants may be willing to offer a gift card, store credit, cash or even issue a refund to a different credit card. If you're able to get your refund issued in a different form than your original form of payment, you can avoid a good bit of hassle.
Related reading: When returning an item for store credit, do you still get to keep the points?
See if the refund was accepted by the issuer
If you're unable to speak with the merchant before the refund is issued or the merchant refuses to issue a refund in a form different than your original form of payment, then the merchant will attempt to issue the refund to your closed credit card account. If your account was closed recently, the card issuer will likely accept the refund.
If your online account is still active, you can login and see this transaction once the issuer accepts the refund. Once the refund posts to your closed credit card account, you can call the bank to request a refund check for the balance. Otherwise, the steps required to get your hands on your money vary.
Although you may see the credit automatically applied to a different account with the same issuer, sent to you as a check or deposited in your linked bank account, it's usually a good idea to call the number on the back of your now-closed card and inquire about how to get the funds. Some issuers will require that you send a written request, but most will accept a request over the phone.
If the merchant says they sent the refund to your closed card but the credit card issuer claims they can't access it, you may want to ask the merchant to provide you with the Acquirer Reference Number of the transaction. Once you provide this reference number to the credit card issuer, they should be able to quickly find the transaction.
Related reading: What to do before you close a credit card
Go back to the merchant if the issuer rejected the refund
Although relatively rare, the card issuer may reject the refund since your account is closed. In this case, you'll need to reach out to the merchant to request a refund in a different format. The merchant should be able to see that the refund transaction was bounced back, likely in the form of a positive chargeback or generic deposit. However, as you can imagine, getting your refund from the merchant may be a long, frustrating process.
Related reading: Should I cancel my credit cards if I don't use them anymore?
Related guides
- 12 major mistakes people make with travel rewards credit cards
- How credit scores work
- How to assess and build your credit card portfolio
- 6 things to weigh before canceling a discontinued credit card
- Here's why you should never close your credit cards before the one year mark
- Don't let Chase's shutdown pattern bite you
- The best cash-back credit cards
- The best cash-back credit cards for each bonus category
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees