Why it happens
- The charge was processed after a decline.
- The authorization was requested for a different card or amount.
- A charge was forced through offline without an approval code.
American ExpressA02
No Valid Authorization
The charge was submitted without a valid approval from the card issuer, or the approval was declined.
What to send to fight it
- The approval code and the date it was given.
- The authorization log showing the card, amount and response.
- The transaction record that links the charge to that approval.
How to prevent it
- Never submit a charge that received a decline.
- Check that each settled charge carries a matching approval code.
Summaries written by NoChurn from the networks’ public rules and processor documentation. Networks update their rules and deadlines depend on your processor: check its documentation before you respond.
Other American Express codes
- A01Charge Amount Exceeds Authorization Amount
- A08Authorization Approval Expired
- C02Credit Not Processed
- C04Goods/Services Returned or Refused
- C05Goods/Services Cancelled
- C08Goods/Services Not Received or Only Partially Received
- C14Paid by Other Means
- C18"No Show" or CARDeposit Cancelled
- C28Cancelled Recurring Billing
- C31Goods/Services Not As Described
- C32Goods/Services Damaged or Defective
- F10Missing Imprint
- F14Missing Signature
- F24No Card Member Authorization
- F29Card Not Present
- F30EMV Counterfeit
- F31EMV Lost/Stolen/Non-Received
- FR2Fraud Full Recourse Program
- FR4Immediate Chargeback Program
- FR6Partial Immediate Chargeback Program
- M01Chargeback Authorization
- M10Vehicle Rental - Capital Damages
- M49Vehicle Rental - Theft or Loss of Use
- P01Unassigned Card Number
- P03Credit Processed as Charge
- P04Charge Processed as Credit
- P05Incorrect Charge Amount
- P07Late Submission
- P08Duplicate Charge
- P22Non-Matching Card Number
- P23Currency Discrepancy
- R03Insufficient Reply
- R13No Reply
Sources (2)
- American Express: How to Manage and Help Prevent Disputes (US Disputes Reference Guide) · checked 2026-11-09
- Antom (Alipay) Docs: American Express dispute reason codes · checked 2026-11-09
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