Upwork does not refund Connects once you've used them to send a proposal
When you send a proposal to a job on Upwork, you spend Connects—the platform's internal currency that lets you bid on work. Once that proposal leaves your account, Upwork treats the Connects as spent. The company does not issue refunds for Connects used on proposals, even if the client never responds, rejects your bid, or the job posting disappears.
This is Upwork's stated policy and applies across all account types: freelancers on the free tier, those with paid memberships, and agencies. The only exception is if Upwork itself cancels a job posting before you send a proposal—in that case, Connects are not deducted at all. But once your proposal is submitted, the Connects are gone.
Key Takeaways
- Upwork does not refund Connects after you submit a proposal, regardless of whether the client responds or hires you.
- Connects are only returned to your account if a job posting is canceled by Upwork before you send a proposal.
- You can purchase additional Connects at any time, and the cost per Connect decreases if you buy in larger bundles.
- Some Upwork membership plans include a monthly allowance of free Connects, which may reduce how often you need to buy them.
When Upwork does return Connects to your account
Upwork will return Connects in a narrow set of circumstances. If a client removes a job posting before you submit a proposal, you keep your Connects. If you accidentally send a proposal and Upwork's support team determines the job posting violated platform rules, they may refund the Connects—but this is rare and requires you to contact support with evidence.
If you are refunded Connects for any reason, they appear back in your account within 24 hours. You can see your current Connect balance on your dashboard under "My Stats" or in the top right corner of the page when you are logged in.
How much Connects cost and what membership plans include
Upwork sells Connects in bundles. A single Connect costs more when bought individually than when purchased in bulk. For example, buying 10 Connects costs less per Connect than buying 1 Connect at a time. The exact pricing varies by region and changes periodically, so check your account's "Buy Connects" page for current rates in your location.
If you have an Upwork membership (Upwork Plus, Upwork Premium, or Upwork Business), you receive a monthly allowance of free Connects. The free amount depends on your membership tier—higher tiers include more Connects per month. These free Connects reset on the same date each month and do not roll over if you do not use them.
Why Upwork does not refund spent Connects
Upwork treats Connects like a bid fee. Once you submit a proposal, you have used the platform's service—the job posting was shown to you, your profile was delivered to the client, and the client received your bid. From Upwork's perspective, the transaction is complete, whether or not the client hires you.
This model is similar to how auction sites or job boards charge per listing viewed or per process sent. The fee covers the access to the opportunity, not the outcome. Upwork does not refund if you do not win the job, just as a classified ad site does not refund if your listing does not sell.
Strategies to spend Connects more carefully
Since Connects do not come back after you bid, many freelancers develop a system to avoid wasting them. Read the full job description before sending a proposal—check whether the client has hired before, how many proposals they typically receive, and whether your skills match what they are asking for. Clients with a history of hiring and clear job descriptions are more likely to respond.
Some freelancers set a personal rule: only bid on jobs where they meet at least 80 percent of the stated requirements, or only on jobs posted within the last 24 hours. Others use Upwork's "Save Job" feature to bookmark postings and come back to them later, rather than bidding when ready. The goal is to reduce bids on jobs where your chances are low.
If you find yourself running out of Connects frequently, a paid membership may save you money. Calculate how many proposals you send per month, then compare the membership cost against what you would spend buying Connects individually. For some freelancers, the monthly allowance pays for itself within a few bids.
What happens if your Connect balance reaches zero
If you run out of Connects, you cannot send proposals until you buy more. You can still browse jobs, save them, and message clients directly if you have an existing relationship with them—but new proposals require Connects. Upwork will prompt you to buy Connects when you try to bid on a job and your balance is empty.
You can purchase Connects when ready through your account settings. Payment is processed right away, and the Connects appear in your account within minutes. Upwork accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal, depending on your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if a client never responds to my proposal?
No. Upwork does not refund Connects based on client response or lack of response. The Connects are spent when you submit the proposal, regardless of what happens afterward.
What if I sent a proposal by mistake?
You cannot unsend a proposal or recover the Connects. If you believe the job posting violated Upwork's rules, contact support with details, but refunds are not may provide. In most cases, the Connects are treated as spent.
Do Connects expire if I don't use them?
Connects you purchase do not expire. They stay in your account until you spend them on proposals. Free Connects from a membership plan do expire at the end of each month if unused.
Is there a way to bid on jobs without using Connects?
No. Every proposal sent through Upwork costs Connects. You cannot message a client about a job without submitting a formal proposal, which requires Connects.
Can I transfer Connects to another freelancer's account?
No. Connects are tied to your individual account and cannot be transferred, gifted, or shared with other users.