If a Steam game you just bought goes on sale, Steam says you may request a refund and then buy it again at the lower price. For games, the usual refund conditions are a request within 14 days of purchase and less than two hours of playtime. Steam does not describe an automatic price adjustment, and a refund request is not guaranteed approval.
Can you refund a Steam game and rebuy it cheaper?
Yes. Steam says it does not consider it abuse to request a refund for a title bought just before a sale and immediately rebuy it at the sale price. That addresses the sale scenario, but Steam still reviews refund requests; it does not promise that every individual request will be approved. See Steam’s refund policy, last updated April 23, 2024.
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The policy describes a refund followed by a new purchase, not an automatic credit for the price difference. If the refund is approved, you can purchase the game again at its current sale price.
Check the standard refund conditions
For games, Steam’s usual refund conditions are both of the following:
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
- Request the refund within 14 days of purchase.
- Have played the game for less than two hours.
Steam says you may still submit a request outside these conditions, and it will review it, but approval is not assured. Some jurisdictions may provide additional rights when a game is faulty; that is distinct from a general guarantee for a price drop.
How to request the refund
- Check the purchase date and your playtime to see whether the game meets Steam’s usual 14-day and under-two-hours conditions.
- Go to Steam Support and submit a refund request for the purchase. Explain that the game went on sale.
- If Steam approves the refund, buy the game again at the sale price.
When will the refund arrive, and where does it go?
Steam says an approved refund is issued within a week. It goes to your Steam Wallet or to the original payment method when that method supports refunds; support varies by country. Steam’s policy details the timing and destination on its refunds page.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
What if you bought the game somewhere other than Steam?
The seller matters. Valve says it cannot refund purchases made outside Steam, including third-party CD keys. Contact the retailer that sold you the key to ask about its refund policy. Steam also says it cannot refund Steam Wallet cards bought from third parties; see Steam Support’s refund information.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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