The American Express Card is not transferable, even among family members. The Card can only be used by the person whose name is embossed on the front of the Card.

Verify that the Cardmember's signature on the Record of Charge or Credit Record matches the signature on the back of the Card. Make sure that it is the same name as that embossed on the front of the Card.

Make sure the date of the Charge falls within the two dates embossed on the Card. If the Card is not valid, call Authorisations at your local American Express Office and ask to speak to an authoriser for handling instructions.

If you process Charges electronically, swipe the Card through the slot in your terminal or insert the card into the chip reader leaving the card in the reader until the transaction is complete. If the magnetic strip on the back of the Card or the chip is unreadable, call Authorisations at your local American Express Office and proceed with processing the transaction on paper. If you process on paper, take an imprint from the Card. Verify that the account number embossed on the front of the Card matches the number printed on the receipt or displayed on your terminal.

You must obtain and submit an Authorisation approval code when a Charge or series of Charges on any Card during any one day exceeds the floor limit, as well as for every mail order, telephone order, Cardmember Activated Terminal, or Internet transaction regardless of amount. Failure to obtain an approval code could result in a chargeback. You must not attempt to circumvent Authorisation procedure by submitting two or more Charges for a single transaction.

 

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Processing the American Express Card Charges and Credits electronically is quicker for you and your staff. Electronic processing can also help ensure the accuracy of your transactions and reduce the chance of incorrectly completed forms or lost paperwork.

Simply swipe the Card through your terminal or insert it into the chip reader to request Authorisation. If your existing terminals do not accept the American Express Card, your terminal provider can programme them to do so, or call Authorisations at your local American Express Office.

1. Before processing your first Charge or Credit, make sure your Electronic Data Capture (EDC) terminal or electronic cash register is properly programmed.
2. Follow the basic instructions for submitting transactions that were provided with your equipment.
3. Your terminal must be able to generate forms containing the following information:

• Authorisation Approval Code number.
• Card account number and expiry date.
• Date of Charge.
• Amount of Charge, which must be the total purchase price of goods or services purchased, including applicable taxes, tips, postage and packing charges. Any tip amount should be filled in by the Cardmember before you complete the total.
• A concise description of the goods or services purchased.
• Your business name, address and American Express Merchant number.

When a Cardmember returns merchandise, or is due a Credit from your business, never refund cash. Always issue a Credit. A Credit can only be issued to the same American Express Card account number used for the original purchase. Your terminal must generate a receipt containing:

• Card account number.
• Date Credit was issued.
• Amount of Credit.
• Merchant name, address and American Express Merchant number.

To protect yourself from chargebacks, please follow the Card acceptance procedures in your Card Acceptance Agreement. Be sure to:

• Provide signed proof of delivery to the Cardmember's billing address.
• Always submit Mail secure/Phone secure/Internet charges under a separate Merchant number.
• Ensure merchandise is delivered to the Cardmember's billing address. You must establish with your shipping company that merchandise is not to be re-routed.

** Internet includes online services, World Wide Web sites, and other similar networks.

• Their name exactly as it appears on the Card.
• Their Card account number.
• Card valid dates.
• Card billing address, as well as the address where merchandise is to be delivered (if different from billing address).
• Home or business telephone number.
• Telephone number where the Cardmember can be reached (if different from the home or business phone).

• Complete a Record of Charge, and include all the information required for an in-person charge.
• Write Telephone Order, Mail Order or Internet as appropriate on the signature line of the Record of Charge.
• Call Authorisations at your local American Express Office.