Skype credit refund

glawster11

Now that Skype is closing down in May is there a way to get our credit refunded? 

It’s more “it’s the principle then anything” but I have £11 of Skype credit. Multiply that by all users and Microsoft is going to collect multiples of millions on this. 

Surely since THEY are closing the service, they have a duty to return our credit to us. I’ve probably had that credit for years and I won’t use it between now and May.

empathology

Agreed - I've got a small amount of Skype credit that I'll never use by May so would like a refund. But I can't find anywhere on Microsoft's site that says what will happen to that credit. I suspect it'll stay in my Microsoft general account never to see the light of day.
And Teams is not the same - that seems to be a rather large monthly subscription - which for my very occasional ad-hoc use is exorbitant.
I guess this a good opportunity to move away from Microsoft and find a third-party European PAYG VoIP provider 

southone

I've wondered about existing credit so if you read what they say they do say that they're closing the service and you won't be able to pay more money into it it does sound like it might continue running for some time using existing credit as they run it down but it would be nice to have the option to have your money refunded or at least donate it to a charity

Neil_Jones

The credit thing is documented here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/ - "Current Skype subscription users can continue to use their Skype Credits and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period. Skype Credit users can also continue to use their remaining Skype Credit. After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams.   "

Teams is available in a free version you don't need to pay for it.  Its the same app its just free if you sign in with a personal account, or becomes corporate/business if you sign in with something else.

Corporations love Teams.  I loathe it as a work tool to the point where I refuse to have anything to do with it if I can get away with that.  Never used it in a personal capacity (preferred Zoom) but I presume its just as bad.

glawster11

Neil_Jones said:

The credit thing is documented here: [link] - "Current Skype subscription users can continue to use their Skype Credits and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period. Skype Credit users can also continue to use their remaining Skype Credit. After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams.   "

Teams is available in a free version you don't need to pay for it.  Its the same app its just free if you sign in with a personal account, or becomes corporate/business if you sign in with something else.

Corporations love Teams.  I loathe it as a work tool to the point where I refuse to have anything to do with it if I can get away with that.  Never used it in a personal capacity (preferred Zoom) but I presume it’s just as bad.

Yes I saw that link, My current renewal period ends sometime in the next 6 months but I won’t spend this money in that time. I have no idea what they mean by the Skype Dial Pad. Is it a way of calling landlines through Teams Personal? I doubt it.
I have Teams for work and schools and, like you I despise it. I have no interest in using it in my personal life. 

I still feel that the service I signed up for is going and I want my credit back.

crackled

I expect it will take a class action lawsuit to get our credit out of their grubby thieving paws.

clive_p

I feel the same way.  My wife has an unused credit of a few pounds and as far as I can see there is no way to get a refund and nothing to use it on.   It seems to be possible to transfer the account to Teams but I can't work out how to do that, nor whether Teams has the same facilities, e.g. ability to call telephone numbers abroad for reasonable prices.

kalico

It certainly is not clear, is it!

It seems this is the key statement: "After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams"

So, the Skype client will likely stop working but we'll be able to login (to Skype) via the website.  Or within Teams.  Within those environments, a dial-pad will be shown.

I have credit which has been made inactive, as it was not used for 180 days.  But the only option I can find is to re-activate it.  Presumably that will then 'port' it over so it can be used within the Skype website/portal or within Teams (frightful product, just saying!)

But I can find nothing about what will otherwise happen to that INACTIVE credit if I do not re-activate it.

I'm guessing that M$ will eventually come up with a plan (more likely be forced to) but meanwhile they will have had the benefit of that money for quite some time.  And it will be one heck of a large amount!

I shall re-activate the credit and then log in again and see what happens.   Having to go through the website is a pain, especially from a mobile phone.

EastDevonDumpling

I had about £30 in credit on my Skype account from when my son used to live ion Asia. I can no longer see it - in fact it disappeared a couple of years ago as I hadn't used it for a while. I tried to get it reinstated then and followed the instructions to no avail. Now it looks as though it's lost forever. Very annoying especially as I'm a pensioner with my husband in a care home. I think Microsoft probably has a bit more money than I do!!

MC123

I use Skype to call landline numbers in Australia from UK.  It is not possible to call a landline with the free version of TEAMS, so TEAMS is not a replacement for Skype.  I also have credit left on my Skype (£14) so hopefully I will be able to continue using that until it has run out. I will then need to find an alternative service.

NusaNusa

I also have about Euro 40 credit remaining on Skype that I used for calls. When I was searching online they'd actually 'deactivated' it, and I had to re-activate to see the real balance. I cannot find a way of asking for a refund (their support system isn't working), or any FAQ about what happens to it after the migration. When I try to use their online chat, it doesn't work either.  I'd just like to get the money refunded - that's all.