No — you weren't charged. An expired reservation means checkout was never completed, so no payment was taken. Here's why it happens and what to do next.
What you'll see
The appointment shows the banner: "Your reservation has expired because checkout wasn't completed in time. The slot has been released and no charge was made — you can book another appointment any time." with a Book again button. The status pill reads Expired.
You'll also get a notification, "Your reservation expired / Tap to book again.", and an email.
Why it happens
When you tap Confirm and pay, we hold your chosen slot for 15 minutes so no one else can take it while you pay. If checkout isn't completed in that time — you closed the payment page, lost your connection, or simply got distracted — the hold ends and the slot goes back into the pool.
Step-by-step: book again
- Tap Book again on the expired appointment, or start a fresh booking from the centre ASK A VET button → Book a call with a Vet.
- Pick your slot again. Bear in mind another owner may have taken your original time in the meantime.
- Complete the payment page within the 15-minute hold. If you back out of checkout, the booking shows a Reserved for MM:SS countdown so you can see how long is left.
Tip: have your payment details ready before you tap Confirm and pay, so you're not racing the 15-minute hold.
Expired vs Cancelled — what's the difference?
| Status | What it means | What happens to your money |
|---|---|---|
| Expired | Checkout was never finished. | No money changed hands, so there's nothing to refund. |
| Cancelled | The booking was paid for and then cancelled — by you, by the vet, or automatically. | A full refund is issued. |
When to contact support
If a booking shows Expired but you can see a charge from Ask A Vet on your card statement, contact Ask A Vet support with the date and amount. [CONFIRM: support contact channel — email address or in-app route.]
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