VMP no-purchase refund question

PurplePawprints thought this was worth mentioning said
1

Sorry to post a new thread for this, but I don't remember seeing this answered anywhere previously. I'm trying to decide whether or not to cancel the vmp on my husband's account tonight before renewal. Now, I know that if he doesn't buy anything for the following month then Meh has said the fee would be refunded if I don't cancel now. My question is whether or not this is something that goes through automatically, or if I/he/we would need to contact Meh and ask for it to be refunded. Anyone around that knows and can answer?