Withdrawing a proposal on Connects does not automatically refund your money
When you withdraw a proposal on Connects (the freelance platform owned by Upwork), the funds you spent to submit that proposal stay with Connects. The platform does not reverse the charge or return the credits just because you changed your mind about the job. Whether you get that money back depends on why you withdrew, what Connects' terms say about your specific situation, and whether you have grounds to dispute the charge.
Connects are the platform's internal currency. You buy them with real money, then spend them to bid on jobs. Once spent, they are treated as a completed transaction unless you can show the withdrawal itself was caused by a platform error, fraud, or a violation of Connects' own policies.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawing a proposal does not trigger an automatic refund; Connects spent on that proposal are gone unless the withdrawal was caused by platform error or fraud.
- You can request a refund through Upwork's Resolution Center if the platform made a technical error, you were charged twice, or the job posting violated Connects' policies.
- Refund requests must be filed within a specific window (usually 30 days from the charge), and Upwork reviews each case individually rather than approving all requests.
- If Upwork denies your refund request, you can dispute the charge with your payment method (credit card, PayPal, bank account) as a separate process.
- Connects purchased but not yet spent can be refunded if you request it before using them, though Upwork may explore a restocking fee depending on your account history.
When Upwork will refund Connects after a proposal withdrawal
Upwork will consider a refund if the withdrawal happened because of something the platform did wrong, not because you changed your mind. The most common scenarios are: the job posting was fraudulent or violated Upwork's Terms of Service, the platform charged you twice for the same proposal, a technical glitch prevented you from editing or canceling the proposal before it was sent, or the client canceled the job when ready after you bid.
You file these requests through the Resolution Center on Upwork's website. Go to your account menu, select "Resolution Center," and choose "Request a refund." You will need to describe what went wrong, provide the job posting ID or client name, and explain why you believe the charge should be reversed. Upwork's support team reviews the request and decides whether to refund the Connects, issue a credit to your account, or deny it.
The timeline for filing matters. Upwork typically requires refund requests to be submitted within 30 days of the charge, though this window can vary. If you wait longer, the request is usually denied automatically, even if you have a legitimate reason.
How to request a refund through Upwork's Resolution Center
Log into your Upwork account and navigate to the Resolution Center. You will see options for different dispute types. Select "Refund request" or "I was charged for something I did not authorize." Fill in the job ID (you can find this in your "My Proposals" history), the date you submitted the proposal, and the number of Connects you spent.
In the description box, be specific about what went wrong. Do not write "I changed my mind" — Upwork will deny that when ready. Instead, explain the actual problem: "The job posting was removed within minutes of my bid, suggesting it was fraudulent," or "I was charged twice for the same proposal," or "The platform would not let me withdraw before the proposal was sent." Include any screenshots or evidence you have.
After you submit, Upwork sends you a confirmation email. The review process usually takes 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a second email with the decision. If approved, the Connects are credited back to your account as a balance you can spend on future proposals. If denied, you have the option to escalate through your payment method (see the section below).
Disputing the charge with your payment method if Upwork says no
If Upwork denies your refund request, you can file a dispute with whoever processed the payment: your credit card company, PayPal, your bank, or another payment service. This is a separate process from Upwork's internal system and has different rules and timelines.
Contact your payment provider and explain that you were charged for a service (Connects) that you did not receive or that were charged in error. Provide the transaction ID, the date, and the amount. Your payment provider will open an investigation, which typically takes 30 to 90 days. During this time, Upwork may freeze your account or restrict your ability to spend Connects while the dispute is pending.
Payment providers are more likely to side with you if you can show that Upwork's own system acknowledged a problem (for example, if you have an email from Upwork support saying the charge was an error) or if you can demonstrate fraud. If you straightforward changed your mind about a proposal, your payment provider will usually side with Upwork, since the transaction did go through and the service was delivered (even if you did not want it).
Refunding unused Connects you purchased but have not spent
If you bought Connects and have not yet used them on any proposals, you can request a refund of the full purchase. This is different from refunding Connects already spent on a proposal. Go to the Resolution Center, select "Refund request," and explain that you purchased Connects but want to return them unused.
Upwork may approve this request, but the company reserves the right to explore a restocking fee — typically 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price — depending on your account history and how many times you have requested refunds. If this is your first request and the Connects are genuinely unused, Upwork often refunds the full amount. If you have a pattern of buying and returning Connects, the fee is more likely.
The refund is issued back to your original payment method, not as Upwork credit. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after approval.
Why Upwork does not automatically refund withdrawn proposals
Connects are sold as a non-refundable currency once purchased. When you spend them on a proposal, Upwork considers that a completed transaction — the proposal was submitted, the job posting received your bid, and the platform delivered the service you paid for. The fact that you later withdrew the proposal does not undo the transaction from Upwork's perspective.
This is similar to how other platforms handle bids or listings. If you post an ad on Craigslist and then delete it, Craigslist does not refund your posting fee. The service was delivered (your ad was live), even if you changed your mind. Upwork applies the same logic to Connects.
The exception is when Upwork itself caused the problem — a technical error, fraud, or a policy violation by the client or job posting. In those cases, the platform acknowledges that you did not get what you paid for and will refund the Connects.
Preventing wasted Connects on proposals you might withdraw
Before you submit a proposal, review the job posting carefully. Check the client's profile, read the job description twice, and look for red flags: vague requirements, extremely low pay, requests to communicate off-platform, or a brand-new account with no history. If something feels off, do not submit the proposal.
Once a proposal is submitted, you have a short window (usually a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the job category) to withdraw it before the client sees it. If you realize when ready after submitting that you made a mistake, withdraw right away. This does not refund the Connects, but it prevents the client from seeing your bid and potentially messaging you about a job you do not want.
If you are frequently withdrawing proposals, consider whether you are spending Connects on jobs that do not match your skills or rate. Upwork's algorithm learns from your behavior, so repeated withdrawals may also affect which jobs you see in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Connects back if I withdrew because the client was rude or unprofessional?
No. Upwork does not refund Connects based on your personal judgment of the client or job. You would need to show that the client or posting violated Upwork's policies — for example, requesting off-platform payment, asking for free work, or posting a fraudulent job. Rudeness alone is not grounds for a refund.
What if I withdrew the proposal by accident?
File a refund request in the Resolution Center and explain that you withdrew by mistake. If you can show that the withdrawal was accidental (for example, you hit the button twice or the platform had a glitch), Upwork may refund the Connects. Include any details about what happened and when.
Do I lose Connects if a client rejects my proposal?
No. You spend Connects when you submit the proposal, not when the client accepts or rejects it. Once the Connects are spent, they are gone regardless of the client's response. This is why it is important to only bid on jobs you actually want.
How long do I have to request a refund after withdrawing a proposal?
Upwork typically requires refund requests within 30 days of the charge. If you wait longer, your request will likely be denied automatically. Check the exact important date in your account or contact Upwork support if you are unsure.
Will disputing the charge with my credit card company get my Connects back or my money back?
A successful dispute with your payment provider will result in a credit or refund to your original payment method (your bank account, credit card, or PayPal balance), not as Connects in your Upwork account. However, Upwork may suspend or close your account if you dispute a charge, so this should be a last resort after Upwork has denied your refund request.