Chargebacks are rarely quick. Between customer disputes, bank reviews, and network deadlines, even a simple case can stretch for months. Understanding how long chargebacks take—and how timelines vary by card network—can help you stay compliant, plan your responses, and protect your cash flow.
In this guide, we’ll break down chargeback timelines for Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, American Express, and Discover, and show how Liftoff Chargeback Protection automates dispute handling, so you never miss a deadline again.
How the Chargeback Process Timeline Works
Every chargeback follows a structured series of steps across multiple review stages:
1. Dispute filed: The cardholder contacts their bank to contest a transaction.
2. Bank review: The issuing bank investigates and determines whether to file a chargeback.
3. Merchant response: The merchant receives a notice and must submit compelling evidence within a defined timeframe.
4. Issuer review: The bank evaluates the merchant’s evidence and makes a decision.
5. Pre-arbitration or arbitration: If either party disputes the outcome, the case escalates for another review.
Each step comes with strict time limits set by the card network. Missing even one deadline can mean an automatic loss.
Visa Chargeback Timelines
Visa chargebacks generally take 30 to 150 days depending on the dispute’s complexity and escalation.
· Cardholder files dispute: Within 540 days of the original transaction
· Merchant response: Typically, 30 days from chargeback notification
· Issuer review: 30–45 days
· Pre-arbitration: 10–20 days for each stage
· Arbitration: 30–75 additional days
Most Visa cases close within 90 days, but if they reach arbitration, they can stretch to five months.
Mastercard Chargeback Timelines
Mastercard disputes usually take 45 to 120 days, with faster initial investigations than Visa but similar delays if escalated.
· Dispute filing: Within 120 days of the transaction (some exceptions extend to 540 days)
· Merchant response: 18–45 days depending on the acquiring bank
· Issuer review: 30 days
· Arbitration: 45–60 days if needed
Merchants who respond promptly and provide strong documentation often resolve Mastercard
chargebacks in under 60 days.
American Express & Discover Chargeback Timelines
These networks handle disputes internally, making the process simpler and faster:
· American Express: 30–90 days total (merchant response within 20–30 days)
· Discover: 45–120 days total (merchant response within 20–30 days)
Because they serve as both the issuer and acquirer, these timelines tend to be shorter and more predictable.
PayPal Chargeback Timelines
PayPal operates slightly differently, since it intermediates between the buyer, seller, and card issuer.
· Buyer dispute opened: Up to 180 days after purchase
· Merchant response window: 7–10 days
· PayPal review: 30–60 days
· Escalation to card issuer: May add up to 30 more days
In total, PayPal chargebacks typically resolve within 30–75 days, depending on the evidence provided and the issuing bank’s response.
Factors That Affect How Long Chargebacks Take
Several variables influence how long a dispute lasts:
· Card network: Visa cases often take longer than PayPal or Amex disputes.
· Response speed: Merchants who reply within 24–48 hours reduce resolution times significantly.
· Pre-arbitration: Escalated cases can add weeks or months.
· Evidence quality: Weak or missing documentation causes delays.
· Automation level: Manual handling increases missed deadlines and lost cases.
Liftoff Chargeback Protection solves this last issue by automating every part of the dispute process—tracking deadlines, preparing responses, and submitting documentation across all payment networks.
What Merchants Can Control
While you can’t speed up the card issuer’s review, you can dramatically improve your internal efficiency and win rate.
Steps Merchants Should Take:
· ✅ Respond immediately: Submit evidence within 24 hours of receiving the notice.
· ✅ Keep records organized: Store invoices, tracking info, and customer communications in one place.
· ✅ Enable alerts: Use chargeback alert integrations to catch disputes before they escalate.
· ✅ Check data accuracy: Ensure billing, shipping, and customer details match perfectly.
· ✅ Use automation: Implement Liftoff Chargeback Protection to automate dispute tracking and responses.
When your documentation and timing are consistent, you’ll win more cases and prevent unnecessary escalations.
How Automation Shortens Dispute Timelines
Automation doesn’t just save time—it changes the entire chargeback lifecycle.
Liftoff Chargeback Protection uses AI to simplify and accelerate the dispute process. It can:
· 📅 Track every dispute and deadline automatically
· ⚙ Generate and submit reason-code-specific evidence packets instantly
· 🔁 Integrate with Visa Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR) for instant outcomes
· 🚨 Send alerts the moment a new case appears
· 📊 Provide analytics to predict dispute trends and improve future prevention
By automating submission workflows, Liftoff Chargeback Protection reduces dispute resolution times by up to 60%, helping merchants' close cases faster and recover more revenue.
The Hidden Cost of Long Disputes
Every day a chargeback stays open means:
· Delayed payouts – Banks often hold funds until cases close.
· Rising chargeback ratios – Slow responses inflate ratios that can lead to account freezes.
· Wasted operational hours – Manual workflows drain time and resources.
Fast resolutions aren’t just about reclaiming money—they protect your merchant reputation and prevent costly processor penalties.
Prevention: The Smartest Way to Reduce Future Disputes
Preventing chargebacks is more efficient than fighting them. Liftoff Chargeback Protection helps merchants stay ahead through:
· ⚡ Real-time alerts to intercept disputes early
· 🧠 AI-based fraud detection to flag high-risk transactions
· 🪪 BIN verification and tokenization to ensure secure payments
· 📈 Analytics tracking to identify recurring dispute causes
By combining alerts, automation, and fraud intelligence, Liftoff Chargeback Protection builds a complete ecosystem for dispute prevention and management.
FAQ: Chargeback Timelines
How long do chargebacks take to resolve?
Most chargebacks take 30–90 days, but escalated cases can extend to 150 days or more.
Which card network resolves disputes fastest?
American Express and PayPal typically resolve the quickest. Visa disputes can take the longest.
How can merchants speed up chargeback resolutions?
Submit evidence immediately and use automation tools like Liftoff Chargeback Protection to ensure on-time responses.
Do chargebacks always result in fund holds?
Not always, but acquirers often hold funds during reviews, especially if ratios are high.
Can automation help meet deadlines?
Absolutely. Automation ensures you never miss a response or pre-arbitration window, improving compliance and win rates.
Reduce Dispute Delays with Liftoff Chargeback Protection
Chargebacks will always take time—but how long they take depends on your process. Liftoff Chargeback Protection gives eCommerce businesses control by automating dispute tracking, evidence generation, and submission deadlines across all payment networks.
Stop letting manual workflows slow your cash flow.
Start winning disputes faster and reclaiming lost revenue today with Liftoff Chargeback Protection.