# American Express Enhanced Authorization

> **Note**
>
> This American Express solution is only available in the United States.

---

## What is American Express Enhanced Authorization?

The American Express Enhanced Authorization solution analyzes the authorization request data fields to improve fraud prevention.

When the required extra data fields are included in authorization requests, issuers can conduct a more comprehensive risk assessment, leading to better-informed authorization decisions.

Merchants can populate American Express Enhanced Authorization data fields and other card details as part of the authorization request. For the most effective use of American Express Enhanced Authorization, use all data fields so that:

- False positives are reduced
- Fraud is reduced by up to 60%
- Approval rates are increased by 60-100 basis points (bps)

> **Note**
>
> - American Express Enhanced Authorization is required for internet gambling merchants. Failure to do so will result in non-compliance as per American Express regulations.
> - While not required, we highly recommend that all other merchants comply.

For the full API specification, see the [API reference](https://api-reference.checkout.com/#tag/Payments).

---

## Endpoints

> **Information**
>
> Your base URL's `{prefix}` value is unique to your account and environment. To learn how to retrieve your base URLs for the sandbox and production environments, see [API endpoints](https://www.checkout.com/docs/developer-resources/api/api-endpoints.md).

**Production**

`GET` `https://{prefix}.api.checkout.com/payments`

**Sandbox**

`GET` `https://{prefix}.api.sandbox.checkout.com/payments`

---

## American Express Enhanced Authorization data fields

Internet gambling merchants (Merchant category code: 7801) in the United States are required to provide all data points for compliance with American Express regulations. For all other merchants, the fields are optional yet highly recommended. Extra data fields for American Express Enhanced Authorization include:
* `customer.email`
* `customer.phone.number`
* `customer.phone.country_code`
* `payment_ip`
* `items[].reference`
* `shipping.first_name`
* `shipping.last_name`
* `shipping.address.address_line1`
* `shipping.address.country`
* `shipping.address.country_code`
* `shipping.phone.number`
* `shipping.method`
* `shipping.timeframe`

For the `shipping.method` field, the `ship_to_store` value is specific to American Express Enhanced Authorization.

For the `shipping.timeframe` field, `electronic_delivery`, `same_day`, `overnight`, `two_day_or_more`, and `four_or_more` are values specific to American Express Enhanced Authorization.

### Request example

```json
{
  "source": {
    "type": "token",
    "token": "tok_4gzeau5o2uqubbk6fufs3m7p54"
  },
  "amount": 6540,
  "currency": "USD",
  "payment_type": "Recurring",
  "reference": "ORD-5023-4E89",
  "description": "Set of 3 masks",
  "capture": true,
  "capture_on": "2024-09-10T10:11:12Z",
  "customer": {
    "id": "cus_udst2tfldj6upmye2reztkmm4i",
    "email": "john.smith@example.com",
    "name": "John Smith",
    "phone": {
      "country_code": "+1",
      "number": "555 123 4567"
    }
  },
  "billing_descriptor": {
    "name": "Acme Corporation Inc.",
    "city": "New York"
  },
  "shipping": {
    "first_name": "John",
    "last_name": "Smith",
    "address": {
      "address_line1": "111 Example Road",
      "address_line2": "Example Court",
      "city": "Anytown",
      "state": "New York",
      "zip": "22333",
      "country": "US"
    },
    "phone": {
      "country_code": "+1",
      "number": "415 555 2671"
    },
    "method": "digital",
    "timeframe": "same_day"
  },
  "success_url": "http://example.com/payments/success",
  "failure_url": "http://example.com/payments/fail",
  "payment_ip": "203.0.113.0"
}
```