I have a general question about credit card charges..

[skim milk]

I decided to ask here instead of calling american express

If I charge my card for $50.. and the statement ends but I'm getting issued a refund for that exact amount because I never received the item... do I still pay the $50 and the refund will be credited to the next billing cycle?
how does that work?

 

[rh71]

usually you don't have to pay the amount that's going to be credited. I have left it out and made a remark on the bill about it. If it's an electronic payment, I call ahead and let them know I'm doing that. Some will actually tell you to pay it first, and in that case, I do.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: rh71
usually you don't have to pay the amount that's going to be credited. I have left it out and made a remark on the bill about it. If it's an electronic payment, I call ahead and let them know I'm doing that. Some will tell you to pay it first, but I wouldn't and they can't fault you for it.

But what if I only carried a balance of 45 dollars and I'm getting a refund for $50....
I don't want to not pay that amount and have it negatively affect me and go through all the headaches

I called AMEX and they told me i could either issue a billing investigation or something, OR, I could pay the amount and the refund will show up in the next billing cycle.
I'm thinking I should just pay this amount and I'm guessing the refund will show up

 

[sygyzy]

A few ways.

1. You have 30 days to pay your bill so if it comes in at that time, it will clear itself out.

2. You pay for it and they credit it you the next month.