# Global Blue - Shop Tax Free — user reviews > 310 indexed App Store user reviews of Global Blue by Global Blue Marketing Services Ltd, rated 3.60/5 from 1,098 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/global-blue-shop-tax-free/id693120896/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/global-blue-shop-tax-free/id693120896.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 653 · 4★ 50 · 3★ 40 · 2★ 43 · 1★ 312 ## What do users think of Global Blue? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Efficient and streamlined - 👍 Helpful for tracking purchases - 🚀 Quick refund process - 👍 Useful for frequent travelers **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes and technical issues - 🔍 Difficult to contact customer service - 💰 High fees and poor exchange rates - 🤔 Unclear instructions and confusing process - 🕰️ Slow or delayed refunds **Commonly reported bugs** - Registration process not working properly - Inconsistent data sync across devices - Barcode scanning feature unreliable - Refund tracking information disappearing **Most requested features** - Add option to upload receipts directly - Improve in-app support and communication - Provide more transparency on refund status - Expand language options beyond English ## Newest reviews (13 of 310) ### 2/5 — App does not function correctly *2026-07-07, version 4.10.1* 1) When clicking "add refund method", an infinite-loop of Verification Links is sent and there is no way to add a new refund method. 2) a new refund method cannot be added via Profile > Refund Method 3) My Purchases > Open lists all pending refunds. When selecting any, the user cannot change refund method, differently from what in-person agent says ### 2/5 — Bug *2026-05-27* There is a bug on the app, the tab “my purchases” on the app shows nothing, when on the website they are all there **Developer response:** Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for the inconvenience you experienced. This is not the experience we aim to provide. We will share your feedback with our development team for further investigation. ### 1/5 — can’t register or log in *2026-03-21, version 4.8* keep saying im registered but when trying to log in or reset password it’s saying email not registered… what a waste of time. app is a messed up ### 1/5 — Not sure why this is useful *2026-01-02* Once register and provide your personal information you get a profile barcode. I expected that to facilitate data entry for the retailer. However after scanning the barcode, wrong information for my passport was uploaded to the retailer’s system and by the time we noticed it, the paperwork was done. Refund lost. Not sure why one would use this app. Just give your details to a retailer and use the paper receipt at the airport. This is useless. **Developer response:** Thank you for sharing your experience, your feedback is important to us. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience you encountered, and we remain dedicated to improving our service. Could you please share more information with us by contacting our customer service team via webchat: https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US, or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. Our team will gladly help you. ### 1/5 — All purchases are gone *2025-12-07* All purchases are gone after scan the receipts on DIVA Spain. It’s not even presented on past purchases, so I don’t know if I will receive, if everything is fine with my reinstatement and I can’t track anything! **Developer response:** Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We understand how frustrating it is not to see your scanned receipts and past purchases. This issue has been raised with our technical team, and we are working on a solution to ensure all transactions are visible again. If you need immediate assistance, please contact our customer service team via (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. ### 1/5 — Don’t use these people *2025-11-29, version 4.5* Horrible service can’t get anyone to email me back k don’t upload your passport and I ### 1/5 — Total ripoff *2025-10-14, version 4.4* I was supposed to receive $300 in tax refunds. After all their fees and outrageous exchange rate I only got back less than $200. Do not use if you have a choice. ### 1/5 — Good in theory, in practice you’ll probably be cheated out of your refund *2025-10-08* Over the last 9 years I have shopped overseas 4x and only once have I received a refund. In Athens it was a Customs strike, in Rome the office was only open limited hours, and now in Dublin you had to call on a phone and there was “nobody available to come stamp the documents”. Maybe it’s bad luck but a lot of these reviews say the same thing. Don’t count on VAT refunds from your purchases because Global Blue has no process if everything doesn’t go perfectly. **Developer response:** We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience and the challenges you've faced with VAT refunds. While we strive to make the process as smooth as possible, please note that Tax Free Forms must be successfully validated/stamped by customs to confirm the export and enable the refund. Your feedback is valuable and will be shared with our teams to help improve the consistency and reliability of our services. ### 1/5 — UNUSABLE *2025-10-03, version 4.3* Cannot login cannot signup. Says there is already an account. Also you have to select everything twice but even then nothing works. Whoever built this should be fired. ### 1/5 — Marketing *2025-09-21, version 4.3* You must consent to email marketing to make an account. Despicable. ### 1/5 — kiosk introuvable *2025-09-15* Les kiosk à détaxe sont introuvables. J’en ai cherché plusieurs aux endroits indiqués sur l’application, je n’en ai jamais trouvé un seul. Très décevant **Developer response:** We're very sorry to hear about your experience. Please note that kiosk availability may vary depending on local airport operations, and we understand how disappointing it can be when expectations aren't met. We've shared your feedback with the relevant team for further review. In the meantime, we recommend checking with the airport information desk for the most accurate and up-to-date kiosk locations. ### 1/5 — The App is misleading and a Scam *2025-09-05* They scammed me in over $640. They then admit that the app information is confusing. Their customer service agents need to go back to school and learn math. They don't even know how to count. All they do is spin spin spin in emails. Not worth the hassle **Developer response:** We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and the frustration it caused. This is not the standard we aim for. We take concerns about charges and communication seriously, and we’d like to investigate this further. Please contact our customer service team through our webchat via the link: (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. ### 1/5 — Total scam *2025-08-28, version 4.3* Total scam ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — 로그인해도 자꾸 가입하라고하고 문의메일 일주일 넘게 답변없음 *2026-07-20* 로그인하면 여권스캔하고 가입하라하고 스캔하면 이미 있는 여권번호라서 가입안된다고 하고 … 텍스리펀 확인해야하는데 돌겠네 문의메일 일주일전에 보내도 읽지도 않고 대체 어디러 연락해야해요??? **Developer response:** We apologize for the frustration this issue has caused. Could you please share more details about the issues you are experiencing so that they can be addressed accurately? Please contact our customer service team via webchat: https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US, or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. Our team will gladly help you. ### 1/5 — Confusing *2026-06-19, version 4.10* Confusing ### 1/5 — Total scam *2026-06-06, version 4.9.1* The site AI chat can’t answer basic questions, does not connect with live humans and is totally Unhelpful ### 1/5 — Worst service at Frankfurt airport *2026-05-23* Lady would barely speak any english, when I handled her the form she scanned and said cash not allowed. Asked why she pointed at the screen turned to her repeating not allowed as if I could read her screen. Said card number here and put paper there. I don’t get anything to prove that I either deposited it or that they received. Do not recommend it. Smells like untrustworthy bordering scam. I am not sure if I will get this refund whatsoever **Developer response:** We’re sorry to hear about your experience and understand your concerns. This is not the level of service we strive to provide. Could you please share more details with our customer service team via (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit a request by clicking “Contact Us” on the same page. Our team will gladly help you. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-05-18, version 4.9.1* This app is essentially non-functional. I logged in and provided passport info but afterwards it would just kick me out. Happened 3 times before I gave up. ### 1/5 — SCAMMERS *2026-05-10, version 4.9* This company takes more than your VAT refund which is an absolute scam. Their app is very buggy and their process painful and slow. ### 1/5 — 가입하는 과정에서... *2026-05-10* 가입하는 과정에서 오류나서 다시 시도하려니까 가입되어있다고 뜨고, 그래서 로그인하려니까 오류가뜹니다. 다른계정으로 다시 가입하려하니.. 가입자정보도있다고 내꺼등록도안되고...왜이럴까요 **Developer response:** We’re sorry for the frustrating experience. This issue may be related to an incomplete registration or duplicate account detection. To resolve this matter, please contact our customer service team via the link: (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. Our team will be happy to assist you. ### 1/5 — Refund problem. Inefficient support service *2026-04-14* Terrible support The refund was denied by Visa because GlobalBlue entered incorrect information. I tried contacting their support team several times, but my problem was never resolved. **Developer response:** We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience and understand how frustrating this must have been. To ensure your concerns are addressed accurately, we kindly request you provide more details to our customer service team at (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit a request by clicking “Contact Us” on the same page. Our team will be happy to help you. ### 1/5 — 全てがエラー *2026-04-03* メールアドレスも登録できない、バーコードもずっと読み込めない。サポートも行き着けない。なにこれ。特に操作に疎い世代ではないです。 **Developer response:** We apologize for the inconvenience. In order to assist you, please share more details by contacting our customer service team via our webchat via the link (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. Our team will be happy to assist you. ### 1/5 — Absolute scam *2026-03-31* Global Blue is a scam - today in BGY I was instructed to check my suitcases in first and that there is a desk near the gates. Once I arrived at the gate, there was nobody by the desk (15:30) I called the number on the desk and the same person from the luggage area tells me that I need to present the items I purchased in order to receive a refund, one of which was…. A luggage. Similarly in FCO, agents simply were not available and the kiosk was out of order. CDG had similar issues a couple of years ago as well. If you are shopping overseas and are counting on receiving the VAT refund, you are 90% unlikely to get it. **Developer response:** We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and understand your frustration. In most cases, purchased items must be presented to customs before check-in, in order to obtain customs validation/stamp. To assist you further, please contact our customer service team via the link (https://cs.globalblue.com/s/?language=en_US), or submit your request by clicking "Contact Us" on the same web page. Our team will be happy to assist you. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Avis *2026-08-15* Très pratique et facile **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! We're happy to hear you find the app practical and easy to use — that's exactly the experience we want to provide. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. ### 5/5 — Congratulaciones *2026-08-07, version 4.11* Excelente servicio ### 5/5 — Love knowing when the credit hits… *2026-06-27, version 4.10.1* This app works well - wherever Global Blue is used, they can scan my app’s QR code and all my info populates. Makes it easy in the store. And after I’ve taken care of customs at the airport, it’s great to get the messages that my refund has been paid. Sometimes the extra discounts that pop up for shopping don’t always work, but the rest of the app has made it easy! ### 5/5 — Great Evolution *2026-02-05* The functionality and easy of the app is excellent. Global Blue is so far ahead of its competitors. When shopping abroad, I prioritize stores that rely on Global Blue. Refunds are super fast too. So many of the negative reviews have nothing to do with the app or Global Blue. **Developer response:** Thank you for your glowing review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoy the app and find the refund process fast and convenient. Your support means a lot to us, and we’re committed to continuing to deliver the best possible experience. Safe travels, and thank you for choosing Global Blue! ### 5/5 — 素早い対応に感謝 *2025-12-23* 初回のリファンド手続き時に、メールアドレスを間違えて登録してしまい、リファンド状況が確認できない状態でしたが、返金の対応自体はとても早かったです。帰国後1週間ほどで申請したカードに返金あり。 また、先ほど登録アドレスの変更をメールで依頼して、その対応も素早くやっていただきました（全て英語です）。大変感謝しています **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear your refund was processed quickly and your email update was handled efficiently. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again. ### 5/5 — Legit *2025-11-28, version 4.5* Took 7 weeks but refund arrived. ### 5/5 — Great app *2025-09-23* The app is great and speeds up and simplifies the process no end - whether it’s having the barcode scanned to give all my details in a shop or for having a record of the validated form (which is followed up by email, too.) Only once have I had to post a form which wouldn’t scan. My latest refund was scanned at the airport two days ago and is now in my Revolut account. **Developer response:** Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that the app has made your refund process smoother and more efficient. Your feedback motivates us to keep improving and delivering a seamless experience. ### 5/5 — Dear dumb shoppers. *2025-05-02, version 4.0* App works perfectly fine every single time I visit & leave Korea. Blame yourself for being an idiot. Trust me, THIS is the easiest & simplest way to get your freaking tax when you leave. ### 5/5 — Excellent! Helpful! Useful! *2025-01-15* I have been depending on this app for a few years and it has not failed me yet. I can see all my VAT information in the system immediately after my forms are validated by customs. I can also see my refund amount in this app. I was also previously able to get help when the customs office in Dublin gave me the wrong information causing me to not get a MUCH NEEDED VALIDATION STAMP. The representatives at Global Blue somehow were able to get my form reissued so I could have it validated another way (which ended up being too difficult to pursue .. but this was no fault of Global Blue). As a frequent world traveler, I am very happy with the service provided by the Global Blue company. And I must say I love this app! **Developer response:** Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience with us. Your support means a lot to us and motivates us to keep improving. If you have any further comments or suggestions, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your support! ### 5/5 — Scan *2025-01-09* Le scan des bordeaux ne fonctionne pas --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*