Network
AmexCode
A02Response window
20 calendar daysWin difficulty
HardDispute type
AuthorizationAmex A02 — No Valid Authorization: What It Is and How to Respond
⚠️ 20-Day Deadline: American Express gives you only 20 calendar days to respond — shorter than Visa (30 days) or Mastercard (45 days). Act within 48 hours of receiving notification.
Amex A02 is filed when a transaction was settled but no valid, unexpired authorization exists for it. Three scenarios trigger A02: (1) no authorization request was made before settlement; (2) authorization was obtained but the approval code doesn’t match the settlement record; or (3) the authorization had expired before settlement was submitted.
The most common cause for e-commerce merchants is authorization expiry — a customer placed an order, an authorization was obtained, but the settlement was delayed beyond the authorization validity period (typically 7 days for Amex). For card-present merchants, A02 often indicates a voice authorization code that was recorded incorrectly or not recorded at all.
Common reasons you received this dispute
- 1Settlement submitted after the authorization validity period expired
- 2No authorization was obtained before transaction was processed
- 3Authorization approval code was recorded incorrectly in the settlement data
- 4Voice authorization code was obtained but not submitted with the settlement
- 5Authorization was obtained for a different account than was settled
Can you win this dispute?
Fight this dispute if...
- ✓You have a valid authorization record with matching approval code, settlement amount, and timing that proves the settlement was within the authorization window
- ✓There is a processing data mismatch — the authorization exists but the codes were recorded differently due to a system issue
Accept this chargeback if...
- ✗A02 is one of the harder authorization codes to fight because the authorization validity is objective
- ✗If the settlement was late or there's genuinely no authorization, there's nothing to argue
Evidence checklist
- ✅ Required
Authorization record showing the approval code, date, amount, and account.
- ✅ Required
Settlement record showing the same parameters within the authorization window.
- ⭐ Strongly recommended
Processor logs showing the authorization request was sent and responded to before the settlement window closed.
How to write your response
“We are writing to dispute Amex chargeback [reference] under reason code A02. Authorization approval code [CODE] was obtained on [date] at [time], within the authorization validity period. Exhibit A is the authorization record. The transaction was settled on [date] within the authorization window. We respectfully request reversal of this chargeback.”
Key deadlines
Response window: 20 calendar days from the notification date. Act within 48 hours — do not wait.
Amex’s 20-day window is shorter than Visa (30 days) or Mastercard (45 days). Prioritize Amex disputes accordingly.
How to prevent this chargeback
- 1
Settle within Amex’s validity period: Settle transactions within Amex’s authorization validity period — typically 7 days; settle daily as standard practice.
- 2
Use automatic settlement: Set up automatic settlement in your gateway — manual settlement creates late submission risk.
- 3
Record authorization codes accurately: Record authorization approval codes accurately at point of capture — a mismatched code can be as problematic as no code.
- 4
Re-authorize at shipment for delayed models: For delayed shipment models, re-authorize at the time of shipment rather than at the time of order placement.
Frequently asked questions
What is Amex A02?
Amex A02 is filed when no valid, unexpired authorization exists for a settled transaction. This covers missing authorizations, expired authorizations, and mismatched authorization codes.
How long is an Amex authorization valid?
Amex authorizations are typically valid for 7 days, though this can vary by merchant category. Pre-authorizations (such as hotel holds) may have different validity periods specified in your merchant agreement.
How do I prevent A02?
Settle transactions daily using automatic batch settlement. For orders where there's a gap between authorization and settlement (pre-orders, delayed shipments), re-authorize at settlement time rather than using a weeks-old authorization.
How is A02 different from A08?
A02 covers the absence of a valid authorization (none obtained, expired, or code mismatch). A08 (Authorization Approval Expired) is more specifically about the authorization expiry scenario. In practice, they overlap — A02 is the broader code.
Related reason codes
Dealing with an Amex A02 chargeback?
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