Refunds & reversals: how long they take

Refunds to a Kite card don't arrive instantly. They travel back through the card network, which takes time. Here's roughly how long each type takes.

Authorization reversals (instant to 24 hours)

Some merchants temporarily hold funds before finalizing a charge (gas stations, hotels, restaurants). Once the merchant settles for the actual amount or cancels the hold, the extra drops off automatically. You'll usually see this in your balance within a few hours, sometimes up to 24.

For example, if you pump $40 of gas but the station pre-authorized $100, the extra $60 releases automatically once the charge settles.

Refunds from merchants (5-10 business days)

The most common case. The merchant initiates the refund, and it travels back through the card network before landing on your Kite card.

You'll see a separate "Refund" entry in your Transactions tab, not a reversal of the original charge.

Disputed or fraudulent charges

If a merchant won't refund you or you see a charge you didn't make, you can dispute it through Kite. Timelines depend on the case. If you think a charge is fraud, email care@kiteapp.xyz as soon as possible with the date, amount, and merchant.

International refunds

Refunds from overseas merchants can take a few days longer than domestic ones. If the purchase involved a currency conversion, the refunded amount may not exactly match the original charge because exchange rates can shift between purchase and refund.

Good to know

• Refunds only go back to the card you paid with.
• Weekends and public holidays can slow things down.
• If a refund hasn't shown up after 15 business days, contact the merchant first. If they confirm it was issued, email care@kiteapp.xyz with the date, amount, and merchant name.