Booking.com Refuses Refund on Canceled $231 Enterprise Rental at CDG Airport

I booked a rental car from Enterprise through the Booking.com app to pick up at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on December 15, 2025. While intending to rent the vehicle for the same day, I failed to notice that the rental date in the app was set to the following day. Unable to find an easy option in the main menu to modify the date, and since I was about to board my flight and the app clearly stated that no refunds would be issued once the rental period begins, I thought canceling the reservation would be the best option.

Therefore, I canceled reservation number 713324786 and immediately created a new reservation, number 712434057, for the correct date through the exact same app. Before clicking the cancel button, a notice appeared on the screen stating, "The refund amount will be communicated to you separately after the cancellation is completed." From this wording, I understood that even if there were a partial deduction, the remaining balance would be refunded to me. Additionally, the same pages stated that "no refunds are issued after the rental start time." In other words, a clear expectation was set that I would receive a refund for a cancellation made prior to the start time.

However, I experienced the exact opposite. Upon landing at the airport and checking my account activity, I saw details stating "Charged amount: $231, amount to be refunded: $0." This completely contradicts both the text in the app and the expectation created, misleading the customer.

Even assuming a portion of the vehicle rental fee was retained, how can the complete non-refund of the $65 protection package fee—purchased through the same company for a vehicle I never picked up—be justified? I wish to state that I view the refund of this fee not as a favor, but as a right I am clearly entitled to.

All written explanations and evidence are available in the uploaded PDF file.