By JUAN DE JESÚS BREENE

In the United States, for returns or cancellations on purchases, it seems relatively easy to ask for the amount charged to be returned to your credit card.

In fact, this is the de facto action for most businesses and services.

But in Mexico, not quite so fast, literally.

Airlines are a good example.

Why is it that after carefully planning a trip, right after getting that beautiful confirmation message, you suddenly realize that you selected the incorrect date on a part of the trip?

Not to worry.

Because of consumer protection laws, you can always cancel a plane ticket purchase within the first 24 hours of purchase.

Somehow, I thought doing so  in Mexico, that my credit card would be credited in a day or so. Not true.

The same is true for Amazon returns.

“Would you like the credit to your credit card or a gift card?”

Shouldn’t it work the same in Mexico as in the United States?

Oh, no.

In Mexico, returning the money to the actual card’s account can take about 14 to 21 days.

And then, for certain airlines, it involves a second phone call, after waiting for 15 minutes, to remind the carrier about the return, and only then, the charge is credited.

I can only guess they are hoping you will forget.

In Mexico, it definitely seems easier to go with the gift card option. It is not a physical card, it’s just a credit that you can only use with that business.

The advantage is that the credit is taken care of in a few hours.

So, for products like Amazon or your favorite ultra low-cost carrier, since you know you will be purchasing in the future, the gift card route is much easier.

Who would have guessed?