Reason code

American Express reason code 169 is used when a transaction is submitted in a currency that is not valid for the cardholder’s account or not authorized for use in that particular region. This can lead to confusion, unexpected conversion fees, or outright rejection of the transaction.

This type of dispute often arises when merchants fail to configure their POS or eCommerce systems correctly, or when there is a breakdown in communication about the billing currency. Even if the transaction is valid, using the wrong currency can result in a chargeback.

‍

If the currency used was valid and agreed upon, provide documentation confirming it was disclosed and authorized:

• Submit receipts or checkout pages showing the transaction amount and currency displayed to the cardholder
  
  
• Include POS configuration or gateway settings that support the use of that currency

‍

Prevent invalid currency disputes by ensuring transparency and system accuracy:

• Clearly display the billing currency at checkout and get confirmation from the cardholder

• Configure your payment processor to only accept valid currencies based on your customer base