American Express  Reason Codes

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Authorization

Reason code

Details

A08 Authorization Approval Expired
This reason code is used when a transaction is processed after the original authorization approval has expired.
A02 No Valid Authorization
This reason code is used when a transaction is processed without proper authorization.
A01 Charge Amount Exceeds Authorization Amount
This reason code is typically used when the amount being charged on an American Express card exceeds the approved authorization amount. 

Consumer Disputes

Reason code

Details

691 Requesting Support
This reason code is used when Amex is requesting additional information or documentation from the merchant in response to a dispute.
59 Goods Damaged/Defective (Request Repair)
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims that the goods they received were damaged or defective and is requesting a repair instead of a full return or refund.
127 Unrecognized Charge
This reason code is issued when a cardholder doesn’t recognize a charge on their statement and believes it may be fraudulent or unauthorized.
176 Unrecognized Charge (Card Not Present)
This reason code is used when a cardholder disputes a charge that was made without the physical card being present and claims they don’t recognize the transaction.
21 Goods/Services Cancelled/Expired
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they were charged for goods or services that were cancelled or never received due to expiration.
63 Product Quality Unacceptable
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims the product they received was of unacceptable quality.
C28 Cancelled Recurring Billing
This reason code applies when a cardholder claims they were charged after canceling a recurring billing agreement.
C32 Goods/Services Damaged or Defective
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims the goods they received were damaged or defective, or the services provided were not delivered in working or acceptable condition.
155 Goods Not Received (Request Credit)
This reason code is issued when a cardholder claims they did not receive the goods they paid for and are requesting a credit.
4 Product Not Received
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they never received a product they ordered and paid for.
24 Goods Damaged/Defective
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims that the goods they received were damaged upon arrival or were defective in some way.
C08 Goods/Services Not Received or Only Partially Received
This reason code is issued when a cardholder claims they did not receive the goods or services they paid for, or only received part of what was promised.
C31 Goods/Services Not As Described
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims the goods or services they received were materially different from what was described at the time of purchase.
S03 Support Received
This reason code is a status notification indicating that Amex has received the merchant’s supporting documentation in response to a dispute.
147 Charge Paid by Insurance Company
This reason code is used when a cardholder disputes a charge because they believe it should have been paid by their insurance company instead of being billed to their Amex card.
S02 Reviewed Support; Will Not Be Debiting Account
This reason code indicates that Amex has reviewed the documentation submitted by the merchant in response to a dispute and has decided not to proceed with a chargeback.
693 Questioning Charge for Damage/Theft/Loss
This reason code is used when a cardholder disputes a charge related to alleged damage, theft, or loss involving a product or service - commonly in rental scenarios.
OP1 General
This reason code is a general-purpose code used when a dispute or chargeback doesn’t fit any specific predefined category.
177 Unauthorized Charge
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they did not authorize a transaction.
F31 EMV Liability Shift – Lost/Stolen/Non-Received
This reason code is used when a transaction was completed using a lost, stolen, or non-received card, and the merchant’s terminal was not EMV chip-enabled.
FR6 Partial Immediate Chargeback Program
This reason code refers to the Partial Immediate Chargeback Program, which gives Amex the ability to issue chargebacks without a cardholder dispute.
FR2 Fraud Full Recourse Program
This reason code is part of the Fraud Full Recourse Program, which allows the issuer to hold the merchant financially responsible for certain fraud-related transactions.
FR5 Immediate Chargeback Program
This reason code allows Amex to initiate immediate chargebacks for digital goods or services without a cardholder dispute, targeting high-risk transactions with potential fraud or service concerns.
F10 Missing Imprint
This reason code applies when a cardholder disputes an offline or manual transaction as unauthorized due to the merchant’s failure to capture a required physical card imprint.
684 Paid by Other Means
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they were charged on their Amex card even though they paid using a different method.
F29 Card Not Present
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they did not authorize a transaction and the merchant did not verify that the card was present at the time of purchase.
F30 EMV Liability Shift – Counterfeit
This reason code applies when a counterfeit card was used for a transaction at a terminal that was not EMV chip-enabled.
F24 Multiple ROCs
This reason code is issued when a cardholder claims they were charged more than once for the same transaction, and the merchant submitted multiple Records of Charge (ROCs).
173 Duplicate Charge
This reason code is issued when a cardholder believes they were charged more than once for a single purchase.
680 Incorrect Charge Amount
This reason code applies when a cardholder claims they were charged an amount different from what they agreed to at the time of purchase.
C14 Paid by Other Means
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they paid for a transaction using a different method but were still charged one their Amex account.
P08 Duplicate Charge
This reason code is used when a cardholder claims they were charged more than once for the same transaction.
154 Goods/Services Cancelled/Refused
This reason code is used when a cardholder cancels goods or services, or refuses delivery, but is still charged for the transaction.
170 Cancelled Lodging Reservation/CARDeposit Not Refunded
This reason code is used when a cardholder cancels a hotel or car rental reservation in accordance with the cancellation policy, but the deposit or prepayment is not refunded.
158 Good Returned (Request Credit)
This reason code signifies that a credit has been requested for goods that the cardholder has returned.
175 Credit Not Processed
This reason code indicates that a cardholder expected a credit - such as a refund or cancellation - but never received it.
C05 Goods/Services Cancelled
This reason code applies when a cardholder disputes a charge because they canceled an order for goods or services, but the merchant did not process a refund.
C02 Credit Not Processed
This reason code reason code is used when a cardholder claims that a credit issued by the merchant for a returned product or service has not been processed or reflected on their account.
C18 No Show or Card Deposit Cancelled
This reason code is used when a customer disputes a charge after failing to honor a reservation or cancel on time, or when they believe a deposit wasn’t refunded correctly.
C04 Goods/Services Returned or Refused
This reason code occurs when a customer returns goods or declines services, expects a refund, but the merchant has not processed the credit.
FR4 Immediate Chargeback Program
This reason code FR4 is part of the Immediate Chargeback Program, which allows Amex to initiate chargebacks without requiring the cardholder to file a dispute.

Fraud

Reason code

Details

M10 Vehicle Rental – Capital Damages, Theft, or Loss of Use
This reason code is used when a cardholder disputes charges related to vehicle rental, specifically for capital damages, theft, or loss of use.
193 Fraudulent Charge
This reason code is used when a cardholder reports a transaction as fraudulent.

Processing Errors

Reason code

Details

169 Charge Submitted in an Invalid Currency
This reason code 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.
M42 Reversal Request Too Late
This reason code is used when a merchant attempts to reverse or refund a transaction, but the request is submitted too late to be processed through standard channels.
M38 Reversal
This reason code is used when Amex reverses a previously processed charge for any reason not covered by a more specific code.
M39 Correct a Previous Transaction
This reason code is used when Amex reverses or adjusts a transaction to correct an error from a prior charge.
S01 Reversal Request Denied
This reason code is used when a merchant requests a reversal or refund through Amex, but the request is denied - often because it falls outside Amex’s policies or timeframes.
S04 Reversal Request Under Review, Please Wait
This reason code is used when a merchant has submitted a reversal or refund request, but Amex is still reviewing it.
M11 Reversal Due to Credit
This reason code is used when a chargeback is issued because the merchant processed a credit for a transaction, but the original charge was not reversed correctly.
P23 Currency Discrepancy
This reason code is used when there’s a mismatch between the transaction amount the cardholder agreed to and the currency or amount that was ultimately processed.
M36 See Notes
This reason code is a general-purpose code used when none of the other reason codes fully apply, and Amex has additional context or instructions included in the dispute notice.
P22 Non-Matching Card Number
This reason code occurs when the card number submitted in the transaction does not match any card number Amex has on file or does not align with the account details used for authorization.
M04 Merchant Accepted
This reason code is used when a merchant accepts a transaction that was previously declined by the issuer.
P07 Late Submission
This reason code is used when a transaction is submitted after Amex’s required time limit for processing.
P01 Unassigned Card Number
This reason code is triggered when a transaction is submitted using a card number that is not assigned to an active or valid American Express account.
R13 No Reply
This code is is used when a merchant fails to respond to a dispute inquiry at all within the required timeframe.
M01 Chargeback Authorization
This reason code is used when Amex authorizes a chargeback due to a merchant’s failure to comply with transaction processing requirements.
P04 Charge Processed as Credit
This reason code applies when a transaction intended to be a charge is mistakenly processed as a credit.
R03 Insufficient Reply
This reason code is issued when a merchant fails to provide a sufficient or appropriate response to a chargeback inquiry within the required timeframe.
P05 Incorrect Charge Amount
This reason code occurs when the cardholder is charged an amount that differs from what they agreed to at the time of purchase.
P03 Credit Processed as Charge
This reason code is used when a cardholder expects a credit for a return or refund but instead receives a charge.
061 Credit Processed as Charge
This reason code is issued when a cardholder is expecting a refund, but a charge is mistakenly processed instead.
062 Credit Posted As Charge
This reason code indicates that a transaction was processed as a charge when it should have been processed as a credit.