27 juni 2024

Oct 29, 2026

American Express Chargeback Reason Codes: Guide for Merchants

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TL;DR:

Look up the code and full reason on the actual notice, then match the required evidence and reply-by date.
The linked reference is marked 2024 PROP; confirm current market and processor requirements rather than treating every table as a universal rule.
Amex’s reference gives a 20-day merchant response window, but the actual case or processor may require an earlier reply.
177 and S01 are not identified in the linked code list. Ask the case owner for their mapping.
Keep completed credits, original evidence and submission receipts together to avoid incomplete responses or duplicate refunds.

American Express chargeback reason codes are the short letter-and-number labels, such as F29, C08 or A02, that Amex attaches to every chargeback to state why it debited your account. The code tells you which rule the Card Member's claim falls under and, more usefully, which evidence requirements you need to check before responding.

This guide is part of a series on chargeback reason codes. The other installments cover Visa chargeback reason codes, Mastercard chargeback reason codes, and Discover chargeback reason codes. This one covers American Express.

Quick orientationFind the section for your Amex case

Use the reason on the actual case notice and check your processor’s mapping. These shortcuts do not cover every code.

This page is the code-by-code reference: the letter-code families in the linked Amex reference, the evidence context for each one, the three-digit Inquiry codes that come before a chargeback, and the older four-digit numeric codes some processors still display. For the end-to-end process and prevention playbook, see the guide to American Express chargebacks.

Amex Chargeback Reason Codes by Category

Amex groups its US chargeback reason codes into five families. The tables summarize the linked US Disputes Reference Guide, whose available PDF is marked 2024 PROP, alongside separately identified historical references. Names, rights and evidence conditions can vary by market and case. Treat the tables as a lookup aid and check the current notice and applicable merchant agreement. Where a credit is a permitted response, document the completed credit that offsets the disputed amount; do not issue it twice.

Fraud codes (F) apply when the Card Member denies taking part in the charge. They tell you whether Amex treats the case as card-present or card-not-present fraud, and whether a chip or PIN should have stopped it, which determines the evidence that can win.

Open a section to compare the details.

Code

Amex name

Why you received it

Evidence Amex accepts

F10

Amex name: Missing Imprint
Why you received it: The Card Member denies the charge and you have not provided a copy of an imprint of the Card.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the charge qualifies for the Keyed No Imprint Program, or that it was a card-not-present charge.

F14

Amex name: Multiple ROCs (some processors still label it Missing Signature)
Why you received it: The Card Member made one valid purchase with you but denies the additional, subsequent charges.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof that each charge is a separate, valid transaction.

F24

Amex name: No Card Member Authorization
Why you received it: The Card Member denies participation in the charge and you have not proven they authorized it.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the Card Member authorized or took part in the charge.

F29

Amex name: Card Not Present
Why you received it: The Card Member denies participating in, receiving or benefiting from a mail, phone or internet order.
Evidence Amex accepts: Review the permitted F29 evidence pathway and its conditions: delivery or service records, applicable agreements, or qualifying prior-transaction and device data. An isolated data match does not automatically satisfy the rule.

F30

Amex name: EMV Counterfeit
Why you received it: A counterfeit chip card was used at a terminal that did not process the charge as a chip transaction.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the charge was card-not-present, or that your terminal processed it as a chip transaction.

F31

Amex name: EMV Lost/Stolen/Non-Received
Why you received it: A lost, stolen or never-received chip-and-PIN card was used and the charge was not PIN-verified.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the charge was card-not-present, or a chip transaction with a validated PIN.

F29 and the CID mismatch policy. Since April 2024, Amex's CID policy factsheet states that it will not exercise fraud chargebacks on approved card-not-present charges where the 4-digit CID did not match. Liability for those charges shifts to Amex, so an F29 on an approved CID-mismatch charge is worth checking before you accept it. Confirm with your processor that your authorization data shows the approval and the CID result; the guide to preventing and resolving Amex chargebacks covers how to scope this protection.

To prevent fraud codes, use Address Verification Service (AVS) and the CID on card-not-present orders, read chip cards with an EMV terminal in store so the EMV liability shift works for you rather than against you, and review orders for anomalies before you ship. The same controls cut counterfeit card fraud on every network and belong in any ecommerce fraud prevention program.

Amex Fraud Chargeback Programs: FR2, FR4 and FR6

The FR codes are not claims about a single order. They mean Amex has enrolled your merchant number in a program that lets it charge back disputed charges without first sending an Inquiry. Amex decides enrollment; ask Amex or your processor why your merchant number was placed in one. Each one has a narrow defense: Amex lists only proof that you were not enrolled in the program when the chargeback was issued, plus the universal offsetting-credit answer.

Code	Programma	Wat dit betekent
FR2	Volledig regresprogramma bij fraude	Your merchant number is enrolled and the disputed charge was submitted under the program, so Amex charges back fraud claims without an Inquiry.
FR4	Programma voor onmiddellijke terugvordering	Your merchant number is enrolled, so disputes are charged back immediately instead of opening an Inquiry.
FR6	Programma voor gedeeltelijke onmiddellijke terugvordering	Disputes at or below a set amount are charged back immediately. Amex's 2019 guide gives thresholds such as $20, $25, $50, $100 or $250.

Source: American Express US Disputes Reference Guide (2019 edition).

Amex-autorisatie: redencodes voor terugboekingen

Authorization codes (A) cover charges submitted without a valid approval for the full amount, or after the approval expired. An approval shows the account could cover the charge; it does not by itself prove the Card Member consented, so keep your authentication and transaction evidence as well.

Open a section to compare the details.

Code

Amex name

Why you received it

Evidence Amex accepts

A01

Amex name: Charge Amount Exceeds Authorization Amount
Why you received it: The approved amount was less than the amount you submitted.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof of a valid authorization for the full charge amount.

A02

Amex name: No Valid Authorization
Why you received it: The charge did not receive a valid approval because it was declined or the card had expired.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof of a valid authorization; for an expired card, proof the charge fell within the card's valid dates.

A08

Amex name: Authorization Approval Expired
Why you received it: You submitted the charge after the approval expired.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof of a valid approval obtained under your merchant agreement.

To avoid authorization chargebacks, never submit a charge without an approval, re-authorize when the final amount changes, and submit completed charges within the applicable authorization-validity period. The reference gives a general 7-day A08 window with exceptions for cruise lines, lodging and vehicle rental; follow any shorter processor cutoff.

Redenen voor terugboekingen bij verwerkingsfouten van Amex

Processing error codes (P) flag mistakes in how a charge was submitted rather than fraud or a service complaint. They are almost always merchant-side errors, which makes them the easiest Amex chargebacks to prevent.

Code	Amex name	Why you received it	Evidence Amex accepts
P01	Unassigned Card Number	You submitted the charge with an invalid or incorrect card number.	An imprint, terminal charge record or authorization confirming the card number.
P03	Credit Processed as Charge	The Card Member says the charge should have been submitted as a credit.	Proof the charge was submitted correctly.
P04	Charge Processed as Credit	The credit you submitted should have been submitted as a charge.	Proof the credit was submitted correctly.
P05	Incorrect Charge Amount	The amount you submitted differs from the amount the Card Member agreed to pay.	Proof the Card Member agreed to the amount or added charges, or an itemized contract.
P07	Late Submission	The charge was not submitted within the required time frame.	Proof you submitted the charge on time.
P08	Dubbele afschrijving	The same charge was submitted more than once.	Documentation showing each charge is a separate, valid transaction.
P22	Non-Matching Card Number	The card number submitted does not match the card number on the original charge.	A card imprint or terminal charge record confirming the card number.
P23	Currency Discrepancy	The charge was submitted in an invalid currency.	Proof the charge was submitted in the correct currency.

To prevent processing errors, review amounts and card numbers before submission, disclose currency and conversion fees when the Card Member pays in a foreign currency, train staff on refunds versus charges, and send completed charges to your acquirer the same day where possible.

Amex Card Member Dispute Reason Codes

Card Member disputes (C and M) cover complaints about the purchase itself: refunds, returns, cancellations, delivery, quality and vehicle rental charges. The time you have to respond is shown as the reply-by date on the case in your online dispute account; if you miss it or send incomplete documents, Amex issues the chargeback.

Open a section to compare the details.

Code

Amex name

Why you received it

Evidence Amex accepts

C02

Amex name: Betaling niet verwerkt
Why you received it: Amex has not received a credit or partial credit you were expected to apply.
Evidence Amex accepts: A written explanation of why no credit is due, with supporting documents.

C04

Amex name: Goods/Services Returned or Refused
Why you received it: The goods or services were returned or refused, but the Card Member was not credited.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the goods were not returned or were accepted, plus your disclosed return policy.

C05

Amex name: Goods/Services Canceled
Why you received it: The Card Member says the order was canceled.
Evidence Amex accepts: Your disclosed cancellation policy and proof the Card Member did not follow it.

C08

Amex name: Goods/Services Not Received or Only Partially Received
Why you received it: The Card Member says the order never arrived or arrived only in part.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof of delivery with date and address, service records, or evidence linking the recipient to the Card Member.

C14

Amex name: Betaald via andere betalingswijzen
Why you received it: The Card Member has given Amex proof they paid you another way.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the other payment was for a different purchase, or that the Card Member agreed to pay by card.

C18

Amex name: "No Show" or CARDeposit Canceled
Why you received it: The Card Member says they canceled a lodging reservation or did not receive an expected CARDeposit credit.
Evidence Amex accepts: Documentation supporting the validity of the no-show or CARDeposit charge.

C28

Amex name: Canceled Recurring Billing
Why you received it: The Card Member says they canceled, or tried to cancel, recurring billing.
Evidence Amex accepts: Your disclosed cancellation policy, proof of continued use after the claimed cancellation, or introductory-offer terms.

C31

Amex name: Goederen/diensten die niet aan de beschrijving voldoen
Why you received it: The Card Member says the goods or services differ from the written description.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof the goods matched the description, the Card Member accepted them as-is, or you offered repair or replacement.

C32

Amex name: Goods/Services Damaged or Defective
Why you received it: The Card Member says the goods or services arrived damaged or defective.
Evidence Amex accepts: Proof refuting the damage claim, or that the goods were accepted as delivered or never returned.

M10

Amex name: Vehicle Rental: Capital Damages, Theft or Loss of Use
Why you received it: The Card Member says they were wrongly billed for damage, theft or loss of use of a rental vehicle.
Evidence Amex accepts: A signed acknowledgment of responsibility, with the charge not exceeding 110% of the agreed amount.

M49

Amex name: Vehicle Rental: Theft or Loss of Use
Why you received it: The Card Member disputes a theft or loss-of-use charge on a rental vehicle.
Evidence Amex accepts: Documentation supporting the theft or loss-of-use charge (Amex describes the claim in the same terms as M10).

To prevent Card Member disputes, describe products accurately, process returns and credits promptly, disclose cancellation and no-show policies at booking, honor recurring-billing cancellations, record CARDeposit confirmation and cancellation numbers, and get written consent before changing a charge amount. If the Card Member wants to pay another way, void the original transaction before settlement rather than refunding it later; the difference between a refund and a reversal decides whether the charge ever reaches the statement.

Amex Inquiry and Miscellaneous Chargeback Reason Codes

These codes (R and M01) describe what happened at the Inquiry stage rather than the underlying complaint. All three follow an Inquiry, which makes them the most avoidable Amex chargebacks.

Code	Amex name	Why you received it	Evidence Amex accepts
R03	Insufficient Reply	Complete support or documentation was not provided as requested in the Inquiry.	Prevent it: answer the Inquiry with every document requested.
R13	No Reply	Amex did not receive your Inquiry response within the 20-day time frame.	Proof you responded to the Inquiry on time.
M01	Chargeback Authorization	Your reply to the Inquiry authorized Amex to process a chargeback.	None in most cases; you accepted the chargeback in your reply.

Amex Inquiry Codes: The Three-Digit Codes Before a Chargeback

When Amex opens an Inquiry, the case carries a three-digit Inquiry code, not a letter code. These are the codes you will see on a case number before any money moves, and answering them fully is the cheapest way to stop a chargeback. Amex's US guide lists 18 of them:

Code	Inquiry reason	Code	Inquiry reason
004	Not Received: Delivery Requested	021	Canceled: Expired
024	Damaged/Defective: Return Authorization Requested	059	Damaged/Defective: Repair/Replacement Requested
062	Credit Posted as Charge	063	Dissatisfied
127	No Knowledge: Card Present	154	Canceled: Expired/Unsuccessful Cancelation
155	Not Received: Credit Requested	158	Return
173	Duplicate/Multiple Billing	175	Requests Credit
176	No Knowledge: Card Not Present	193	Fraude
680	Overcharge	684	Paid Direct by Other Means
691	Signed Support and/or Itemization	693	Vehicle Rental and Capital Damages

An Inquiry identifies what Amex needs to investigate before a possible chargeback. Failing to respond may lead to R13; an incomplete response may lead to R03. The outcome depends on the case and the documents requested. Chargeflow’s Amex reason code library has a page per letter code.

What do Amex codes 177 and S01 mean?

Neither 177 nor S01 appears in the linked 2024 reference’s code list. That absence does not prove either is a standard Amex code or a processor-specific label. Ask the case owner for the full reason description and the mapping used in that portal before selecting evidence.

When a code is missing from the reference

Record what the notice actually says

Save the full code, reason description, case reference, amount and reply-by date. Identify whether the case is an Inquiry or a chargeback.

Confirm the mapping before responding

Ask Amex or your processor which rule and evidence requirements apply in that market. Do not substitute a nearby code or miss the existing deadline while seeking clarification.

Examples: 177 and S01 need case-specific verification. A short code without its description is not enough to establish liability.

Legacy Numeric Amex Codes and Their Letter-Code Equivalents

Outside the US, and in some processor reports, Amex chargebacks still carry four-digit numeric codes such as 4517 or 4540. The table matches each numeric code to the US letter code with the same name, so you can find the right evidence list above. It is a name-to-name match drawn from processor documentation (Checkout.com and Antom), not an official Amex crosswalk, so confirm the code on your case notice.

Numeric code	Naam	Closest US letter code
4512	Multiple Processing	P08 Duplicate Charge
4513	Credit Not Presented	C02 Credit Not Processed
4515	Paid Through Other Means	C14 Paid by Other Means
4516	No Reply to Disputes Enquiry Letter	R13 No Reply
4517	Insufficient or Unclear Reply to Disputes Enquiry Letter	R03 Insufficient Reply
4523	Unassigned Cardmember Account Number	P01 Unassigned Card Number
4527	Missing Imprint	F10 Missing Imprint
4530	Currency Discrepancy	P23 Currency Discrepancy
4534	Multiple ROCs	F14 Multiple ROCs
4536	Te late aanbieding	P07 Late Submission
4540	Card Not Present	F29 Card Not Present
4544	Cancellation of Recurring Goods/Services	C28 Canceled Recurring Billing
4553	Niet zoals beschreven	C31 Goods/Services Not as Described
4554	Goods/Services Ordered but Not Received	C08 Goods/Services Not Received
4755	No Valid Authorization	A02 No Valid Authorization
4763	Fraude met volledig verhaalrecht	FR2 Fraud Full Recourse Program
4798	Fraud Liability Shift: Counterfeit	F30 EMV Counterfeit
4799	Fraud Liability Shift: Lost/Stolen	F31 EMV Lost/Stolen/Non-Received

How Amex Chargebacks Differ From Visa and Mastercard

On Visa and Mastercard, the cardholder's bank raises the chargeback and the merchant's acquirer passes it along, so two separate institutions sit between you and the cardholder. On cards it issues itself, American Express plays both roles: it is the network, the issuer and, for merchants it signs directly, the acquirer. Amex reviews the Card Member's claim, decides whether to ask you for documents, debits your account and rules on your reply, all inside one closed-loop system.

That has two practical effects. First, the same organization that services the Card Member also judges your evidence, so your response should directly address the reason and requested documents. Second, Amex often asks before it debits: many disputes start as an Inquiry, which gives you a chance to settle the case before any money moves. The rest of the card network chargeback rules (filing windows, evidence standards, arbitration) differ by network, so do not reuse a Visa or Mastercard response template for an Amex case.

The Amex Dispute Lifecycle: Inquiry, Chargeback, Reversal

Amex reference: separate the response clocks

120 days · general filing window

Card Member filing time from the transaction date in the cited reference, with exceptions including nonreceipt, returns, cancellations and redisputes.

20 days · merchant response

Reference window for an Inquiry or chargeback. Follow the actual reply-by date and any shorter processor cutoff.

2 disputes · general case limit

The reference describes a general limit of two disputes per charge, with exceptions. Confirm the history of the actual case.

7 days · general authorization window

The cited A08 guidance has exceptions for cruise lines, lodging and vehicle rental. Use the authorization period applicable to the transaction.

These summarize the linked reference, not one universal deadline for every market or transaction.

Source: American Express US Disputes Reference Guide. The 120-day window can be longer for goods not received, returns, cancellations and redisputes. The 7-day rule has exceptions for cruise lines, lodging and vehicle rental.

An Amex dispute moves through up to three stages:

Inquiry. If Amex cannot resolve the Card Member's claim with the information it already holds, it opens a case, assigns an Inquiry code and a case number, and asks you for documents. Nothing is debited yet.
Chargeback. If you do not reply in time, or your reply does not address the claim, Amex debits your account and assigns a chargeback reason code. Some disputes skip the Inquiry and are charged back upfront when the Card Member has supplied enough information, or when you are enrolled in a fraud chargeback program (FR2, FR4, FR6).
Reversal. If your reply addresses the chargeback successfully and on time, Amex undoes the chargeback and credits the amount back.

American Express’s US dispute reference gives you 20 days to respond to an Inquiry or a Chargeback; follow the actual reply-by date in your case and any shorter processor cutoff. Its US process guide gives a general 120-day Card Member filing window with exceptions, so the Card Member's filing time and your response time are separate clocks. Compare these with the chargeback time limits on other networks.

__wf_reserved_inherit — *Het terugboekingsproces van Amex. Bron: Amex*

Amex Chargeback Reason Codes FAQ

What are the reasons for a chargeback with American Express?

American Express charges back a transaction for one of five groups of reasons: fraud (the Card Member denies the charge, codes F10 to F31 and FR2 to FR6), authorization problems (A01, A02, A08), processing errors (P01 to P23), Card Member disputes about the purchase such as non-receipt, cancellation or damaged goods (C02 to C32, M10, M49), and Inquiry outcomes where the merchant did not reply or replied incompletely (R03, R13, M01).

What are chargeback reason codes?

Chargeback reason codes are standardized labels a card network attaches to a chargeback to state why the money was taken back from the merchant. On American Express they are letter-and-number codes such as F29 or C08, and each code maps to a specific list of documents the merchant can send to reverse it. If you need the basics first, start with what a chargeback is, then see how reason codes work across networks.

What is the difference between an Amex Inquiry and an Amex chargeback?

An Amex Inquiry is a request for documents that Amex sends before taking any money; it carries a three-digit Inquiry code such as 127 or 176. An Amex chargeback is the debit itself, labeled with a letter code such as F29 or C08. Answering an Inquiry fully within 20 days often ends the case, while an unanswered Inquiry becomes an R13 chargeback.

How long do merchants have to respond to an Amex chargeback?

Merchants have 20 days to respond to an American Express Inquiry or chargeback, according to Amex's US Disputes Reference Guide, and processors can set a shorter internal deadline. Card Members generally have 120 days from the transaction date to raise the dispute, with longer windows for non-receipt, returns, cancellations and redisputes.

What is the Amex Immediate Chargeback Program?

The Amex Immediate Chargeback Program (reason code FR4) is a program in which Amex charges back disputed charges against an enrolled merchant immediately, without first sending an Inquiry. The Partial Immediate Chargeback Program (FR6) does the same for disputes at or below a set amount. FR6 is only one kind of partial chargeback; most partial disputes arrive under ordinary reason codes. The main defense Amex lists is proof that the merchant was not enrolled when the chargeback was issued.

What does Amex chargeback code 4517 mean?

Processor references describe 4517 as an insufficient or unclear reply to a disputes enquiry. The closest US letter-code label in the comparison above is R03, Insufficient Reply. This is a name-based reference, not an official universal crosswalk. Confirm the mapping on your case and supply every requested document before the actual reply-by date.

Match Every Amex Response to Its Reason Code

Each code identifies a claim and the evidence conditions to review. Chargeflow’s article on the estimate that up to 80% of all chargebacks are due to friendly fraud discusses friendly fraud, but a population-level estimate cannot prove a particular customer’s intent. Assess the purchase and allegation on their own facts. A chargeback response template can help organize a relevant, consistent response.

Managing different codes and deadlines across networks makes a complete case record valuable. Chargeflow automates chargeback representment for supported workflows, assembling relevant records and submitting responses through the available process. The goal is to win false chargebacks without lifting a finger through automated evidence collection and submission; outcomes still depend on the evidence and reviewer. Contact our sales team to discuss your Amex integration and applicable pricing.

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