--- description: Overview of American Express for merchant acceptance, authorization outcomes, security, disputes, and platform support across regions. title: American Express acceptance for merchants image: https://cdn.smartretry.com/_next/static/media/og-image.0z0q4_5kazzzo.jpeg --- [Skip to main content](#main-content) # American Express ## Methods * Cards American Express is a global card network and issuer brand that merchants can accept for in-store and online card payments. Struggling with your approval ratio for this payment provider? [contact SmartRetry team →](/contact) Published January 21, 2026 Last updated May 5, 2026 ![Reading time](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fclock.337f-cmnyb532.svg)1 min ![American Express](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=640&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fpayment-providers%2Flogos%2Famex.svg) ![American Express payment phone](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=750&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fphone.3jczmn1xd9-9j.webp) Proceed payment with ![American Express](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=48&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fpayment-providers%2Flogos%2Famex.svg)Amex ## Still letting failed transactions slip through? SmartRetry turns declines into approvals - automatically, intelligently, and without changing your payment provider. Email address Let’s talk Table of Contents ## About American Express [![Official Website](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fglobe-website.1l5fn-a17cqln.svg)](https://www.americanexpress.com/ "Official Website")[![LinkedIn Page](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Flinkedin-about.2wasedelio7i5.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-express "LinkedIn Page") Product Type Payment Method Foundation 1850 Stock ID NYSE:AXP Company Type public Employees 64,000+ Location ![USA](https://flagcdn.com/w20/us.webp)USA Channel OnlineIn person For developers [Status page](https://downdetector.com/status/american-express/)[Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/amex) ## Features ### Global card network acceptance Support for American Express cards across major ecommerce, in-store, and omni-channel setups. Availability can differ by acquirer/PSP and merchant category. ### Authorization outcomes and routing Transactions are authorized through your payment platform’s Amex connectivity. Clear decline codes and response data help guide retries and customer messaging. ### Approval rates and card declines visibility Monitor Amex approval rate, soft vs hard declines, and issuer responses in your PSP logs. Use this data to tune retry rules and customer prompts. ### Security and compliance alignment Works within standard card-payment security practices, including PCI-focused handling through compliant PSPs. Tokenization and secure storage depend on your platform. ### Customer authentication support Authentication flows (where applicable) are typically managed by your PSP and checkout stack. Ensure Amex transactions use the same risk and authentication policies as other card brands. ### Disputes and chargebacks handling Chargebacks are generally managed via your acquirer/PSP with Amex-specific reason codes and timelines. Evidence requirements can vary by dispute type and region. ### Operational reliability and reporting Network processing is generally stable, with performance tracked via your PSP’s monitoring and reconciliation reports. Settlement reporting and descriptors depend on your acquirer setup. 💡Tip from SmartRetry If Amex declines are elevated, segment by decline reason and entry mode (ecommerce vs in-store) and review AVS/CVV and billing address quality before adjusting retry behavior. ## Currencies Processing currenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, CHF, HKD, SGD, CNY, INR ## Available in Available countries * 🌍Global ### FAQ Is American Express a payment provider, issuer, or network? American Express operates as a card network and issuer brand; merchants typically access it through a PSP and/or acquiring bank that supports Amex acceptance. How do I start accepting American Express cards? Most merchants enable Amex through their PSP or acquirer settings, then confirm pricing, settlement, and reporting details for Amex transactions in the same account. Why are American Express payments being declined? Common causes include insufficient funds/credit, mismatched billing details, suspected fraud, unsupported merchant configuration, or issuer-side restrictions; check the specific decline code returned by your PSP. How can I improve American Express approval rates without increasing risk? Review Amex decline codes, reduce data-entry errors (name/address), ensure accurate AVS/CVV handling, and avoid aggressive retry patterns that can trigger additional declines. Do I need a separate contract to accept American Express? It depends on your PSP/acquirer; some bundle Amex acceptance, while others require enabling Amex separately or meeting additional onboarding requirements. ## Statuses * All * ECI Codes * Issuer Response Codes * 3DS Transaction Status Reason * 3DS Transaction Status * CAVV Result Codes __Statuses \- All__ | Code | Description | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ECI Codes | | | 05 | Cardholder authentication is successful (step-up or frictionless) | | 06 | Authentication was attempted but not completed (e.g. frictionless or passive) | | 07 | Non-authenticated e-commerce transaction | | Issuer Response Codes | | | 100 | Deny | | 101 | Expired Card / Invalid Expiration Date | | 106 | Exceeded PIN attempts | | 109 | Invalid merchant | | 110 | Invalid amount | | 111 | Invalid account | | 115 | Requested function not supported | | 116 | Not Sufficient Funds | | 117 | Invalid PIN | | 119 | Cardmember not enrolled / not permitted | | 120 | Transaction not permitted to terminal | | 121 | Limit Exceeded | | 122 | Invalid card security code | | 125 | Invalid effective date | | 130 | Additional customer identification required | | 181 | Format error | | 183 | Invalid currency code | | 187 | Deny – New card issued | | 189 | Deny – Cancelled or Closed Merchant/SE | | 190 | National ID Mismatch | | 193 | Invalid Country Code | | 194 | Invalid Region Code | | 200 | Deny – Pick up card | | 201 | Expired Card | | 202 | Suspected fraud | | 208 | Lost Card | | 209 | Stolen Card | | 900 | Accepted – ATC Synchronization | | 909 | System Malfunction (Cryptographic error) | | 912 | Issuer not available | | 977 | Invalid Payment Plan | | 978 | Invalid Payment Times | | 000 | Approved | | 001 | Approve with ID | | 002 | PARTIAL APPROVAL (PREPAID CARDS ONLY) | | 3DS Transaction Status Reason | | | 10 | Stolen card | | 11 | Suspected fraud | | 12 | Transaction not permitted to cardholder | | 13 | Cardholder not enrolled in service | | 14 | Transaction timed out at the ACS | | 15 | Low confidence | | 16 | Medium confidence | | 17 | High confidence | | 18 | Very high confidence | | 19 | Exceeds ACS maximum challenges | | 20 | Non-payment transaction not supported | | 21 | 3RI transaction not supported | | 22 | ACS technical issue | | 23 | Decoupled authentication required by ACS but not requested by 3DS requestor | | 24 | 3DS requestor decoupled max expiry time exceeded | | 25 | Decoupled Authentication was provided insufficient time to authenticate cardholder. ACS will not make attempt | | 26 | Authentication attempted but not performed by the cardholder | | 27 | Preferred authentication method not supported | | 01 | Card authentication failed | | 02 | Unknown device | | 03 | Unsupported device | | 04 | Exceeds authentication frequency limit | | 05 | Expired card | | 06 | Invalid card number | | 07 | Invalid transaction | | 08 | No card record | | 09 | Security failure | | 3DS Transaction Status | | | Y | Authentication / Account Verification Successful | | N | Not Authenticated / Account Not Verified; Transaction denied | | U | Authentication / Account Verification Could Not Be Performed (technical or other problem) | | A | Attempts Processing Performed; not authenticated/verified, but proof of attempted authentication is provided | | C | Challenge Required; additional authentication required (CReq/CRes flow) | | D | Decoupled authentication confirmed | | R | Authentication / Account Verification Rejected; issuer requests authorization not be attempted | | I | Informational only; 3DS Requestor challenge preference acknowledged | | CAVV Result Codes | | | 1 | AEVV Failed – Authentication, Issuer Key | | 2 | AEVV Passed – Authentication, Issuer Key | | 3 | AEVV Passed – Attempt, Issuer Key | | 4 | AEVV Failed – Attempt, Issuer Key | | 7 | AEVV Failed – Attempt, Issuer not participating, Network Key | | 8 | AEVV Passed – Attempt, Issuer not participating, Network Key | | 9 | AEVV Failed – Attempt, Participating, ACS not available, Network Key | | A | AEVV Passed – Attempt, Participating, ACS not available, Network Key | | U | AEVV Unchecked | ## Payment providers you might find interesting: [View all](/payment-providers) [![UnionPay](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fpayment-providers%2Flogos%2Funionpay.svg) UnionPay UnionPay is a global card payment network used by issuers, acquirers, and merchants to accept UnionPay-branded card payments.](/payment-providers/unionpay)[![Authorize.Net](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fpayment-providers%2Flogos%2Fauthorize-net.svg) Authorize.Net Authorize.Net is a payment gateway that helps merchants accept card and bank-account payments through supported merchant accounts and e‑/m‑/](/payment-providers/authorize-net)[![Klarna](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fpayment-providers%2Flogos%2Fklarna.svg) Klarna Klarna is a payment provider that lets merchants offer buy now, pay later and flexible payment options at checkout.](/payment-providers/klarna)[![Paysafe Group](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fpayment-providers%2Flogos%2Fpaysafe.svg) Paysafe Group Paysafe Group is a payments provider supporting merchants with payment processing and related tools for accepting and managing transactions.](/payment-providers/paysafe-group) ## Articles you may find interesting: [View all](/blog) [![Solving CVV Mismatch Declines: Root Causes and Practical Remediation for Merchants](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2Fresolving-cvv-mismatch-payment-declines.jpg) September 15, 2026 Solving CVV Mismatch Declines: Root Causes and Practical Remediation for Merchants Discover why CVV mismatch errors trigger costly false declines across gateways. Learn how to refine risk thresholds, implement dynamic validation, and leverage network tokens to recover revenue without sacrificing security.](/blog/cvv-errors-causes-merchant-solutions)[![Evaluating Payment Recovery Software to Prevent Involuntary Churn](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2Fsubscription-payment-recovery-software-evaluation.jpg) September 15, 2026 Evaluating Payment Recovery Software to Prevent Involuntary Churn Explore how modern payment recovery platforms use intelligent retries, automated account updaters, and targeted dunning to curb involuntary churn and recover recurring subscription revenue.](/blog/failed-payment-recovery-software)[![Optimizing Payment Performance: From Intelligent Routing to Soft Decline Recovery](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2Fpayment-performance-optimization-strategies-1.jpg) September 15, 2026 Optimizing Payment Performance: From Intelligent Routing to Soft Decline Recovery Maximizing payment approvals requires moving beyond passive processing. Discover how dynamic routing, network tokens, and smart decline recovery protect revenue and reduce involuntary customer churn across enterprise payment stacks.](/blog/payment-optimization)[![Payment Dispute Resolution and Revenue Recovery Strategies for 2026](https://cdn.smartretry.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840&quality=75&format=auto&fit=cover/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.smartretry.com%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2Fpayment-dispute-resolution-revenue-recovery-strategy.jpg) September 7, 2026 Payment Dispute Resolution and Revenue Recovery Strategies for 2026 Discover how modern payment teams balance fraud prevention with user experience, using network interception tools and intelligent recovery logic to protect baseline revenue and cut false declines.](/blog/payment-dispute-resolution-revenue-recovery) --- ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.smartretry.com/payment-providers/amex","name":"American 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