Six easy steps for every transaction
- Processing Charges electronically.
- Processing Credits electronically.
- Processing mail order, telephone and Internet Charges.
1.Verify that the person presenting the Card is the Cardmember
2.Compare signatures
3.Check the Card's validity dates
4.Swipe the Card, Insert the card into a chip reader or take an imprint
5.Obtain and Submit an Authorisation Approval Code
6.Return the Card and the Cardmember's copy of the Record of Charge, terminal receipt, or Credit Record to the Cardmember
Processing Charges electronically
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.
To process Charges electronically, follow these easy steps:
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.
Processing Credits electronically
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.
Processing mail order, telephone and Internet** Charges
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.
To avoid risk of fraud, remember to ask the Cardmember for:
- 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).
For each transaction, be sure to:
- 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.