Tip from SmartRetry Never re-attempt the full transaction amount against the same card, as this repeatedly locks up cardholder balance without completing the sale. Instead, automate an immediate authorization reversal if a secondary payment method isn't secured within a strict checkout session window.
Visa
Visa Issuer Response Code 10: Approved, partial
soft decline
Last updated: September 25, 2026
About 10 - "Approved, partial"
Key details
- 10
- Issuer Response Codes
- 10
- Approved, partial
soft decline
What it means
Visa issuer response code 10 indicates a partial approval rather than a conventional decline. It occurs when a card's available balance is insufficient to cover the full purchase, but the merchant's payment request indicated support for partial authorizations. The issuer approves the remaining available balance on the card, requiring the merchant to collect the difference using another payment method.
Classification & retryability
softRetryable: conditional
Do not retry the original authorization for the full amount, as the issuer has already approved the maximum available balance. Instead, initiate a separate transaction for the remaining balance using a new, alternative payment method provided by the customer.
Why does code 10 occur?
- The cardholder's available balance is less than the total requested transaction amount.
- The merchant system successfully flagged the transaction as supporting partial authorizations via the Partial Authorization Indicator (Field 60.10).
How to solve 10?
Calculate the remaining balance by subtracting the partially approved amount (returned in Field 4) from the originally requested amount (returned in Field 54). Prompt the customer to provide an alternative payment method to cover the outstanding balance. If the customer completes this split-tender checkout, clear only the partially approved amount against the original card. If the customer abandons the transaction or cannot provide another payment method, you must send an authorization reversal to release the partially approved funds.
Solving as a merchant
Ensure your checkout flow or stand-alone terminals correctly support split-tender transactions before sending the Partial Authorization Indicator. Train cashiers or update your e-commerce UI to clearly communicate the partially approved amount and the remaining balance due to the customer. Always reverse the partial authorization if the customer chooses to cancel the order.
Solving as a customer
Review the partially approved amount and provide a secondary payment method, such as another credit card, to cover the remaining balance. Alternatively, choose to cancel the transaction, which will prompt the merchant to reverse the partial charge and release the held funds.
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Author
Kyle Regacho
Find me on LinkedinFocused on payment recovery, decline codes, and authorization optimization at SmartRetry. Helps payment teams turn failed transactions into recovered revenue
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