How To Fix The Most Common AMEX Errors

Ever had that moment where you’re standing at the checkout and your Amex gift card payment gets declined for no clear reason? Yeah, I’ve been there too. It’s frustrating and usually happens when you least expect it. You double-check your balance, re-enter your card info, and still nothing.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through how to fix the most common American Express gift card errors, based on real experiences. I’ve seen these problems before personally and I’ll show you the exact steps to take to get your card working again.

You’ll learn:

• What those weird AMEX error codes really mean
• Easy Amex gift card payment declined solutions you can try right now
• Tips to prevent these errors in the future

About AMEX Gift Cards

AMEX, short for American Express, is a financial services company well recognized for its range of credit cards. In addition to these, American Express also offers gift cards -a convenient and versatile option for both personal and business use.

An AMEX gift card functions similarly to a prepaid debit card. It comes preloaded with a set amount of money and can be used anywhere American Express is accepted both in-store and online. These cards are not reloadable, and they do not require a bank account or credit check to use. They’re an ideal gift choice for birthdays, holidays, or incentives for employees or customers.

American Express gift cards come in two main formats:

• Traditional American Express Gift Cards: These are physical plastic cards featuring the AMEX design. They can be purchased in retail locations like Target, Walmart, and other major stores.
  
  
• E-Codes: These are digital versions of the AMEX gift card. After purchase, either from the official American Express website or authorized third-party vendors, the e-code is delivered straight to your email, ready for immediate use online.

Common AMEX Gift Card Error Codes and What They Mean

Whether you’re trying to shop online or in-store, AMEX gift cards can throw out all kinds of error codes that make no sense at first. Here’s a walk through of the most common ones, and how exactly to fix each American Express error code.

1. Error Code 05 – Do Not Honor 
2. Error Code 15 – No Such Issuer
3. Gift Card Verification Failed
4. Error Code 51 – Insufficient Funds
5. Card Not Working In-Store

Quick Fix Checklist

• Verify card details are entered correctly
• Check available credit
• Ensure billing information is up to date
• Clear browser cache for online payments

Error Code 05 – Do Not Honor (AMEX Gift Card Declined)

This is the most common error people see when their AMEX gift card is declined, and it doesn’t give you much to go on. With gift cards, this usually means one of two things: either the card isn’t activated properly, or the purchase total is more than the remaining balance.

Fix:

1. Check if the gift card is activated
   1. Go to americanexpress.com/gift 
   2. Enter your card number and security code to see if the card is active.

1. Check your card balance
   1. Again, go to the AMEX gift card site to check your balance.
   2. If the total purchase is more than what’s on the card, even by a few cents, it’ll be declined.
      
      
2. Use the card for a partial payment: 
   1. Some stores let you split the payment. Ask the cashier or support to charge the exact amount left on your AMEX gift card.
      
      
3. Try a different browser if online
   1. If you’re shopping online, sometimes cookies or outdated autofill info can cause a decline. So, clear your cookies or try a different device

Error Code 15 – No Such Issuer (Wrong Card Info)

This happens when the website or system doesn’t recognize the card, usually because the number or expiration date was typed in wrong.

Fix:

1. Double-check the card number: AMEX gift cards have 15 digits and start with a 3.
   
   
2. Make sure you’re choosing “credit” as the payment method: Even though it’s a gift card, it should be run as a credit card, not a debit.
   
   
3. Re-enter the card manually: Avoid copy/pasting because sometimes that includes hidden spaces.

AMEX Gift Card Verification Failed (Online Use)

This usually pops up during online checkout, especially when billing info doesn’t match.

Fix:

1. Register a billing address to the gift card
   1. Go to the AMEX official gift card site
   2. Sign in and select “Add or edit billing address”
   3. Use your real address so websites can verify it.
      
      
2. Use the exact billing address you registered when checking out: If the ZIP code or one character is off, the transaction might fail.
   
   
3. Avoid VPNs or incognito browsers: Some security systems flag those and block card verification.

Error Code 51 – Insufficient Funds

This just means the item you’re buying costs more than what’s left on the card. But unlike debit or credit cards, AMEX gift cards don’t allow overdrafts.

Fix:

1. Check your card balance first.
2. If you’re short by even a few cents, ask the store to split the payment.
3. Some online stores don’t allow split payments, so consider using the gift card on a smaller item instead.

Card Not Working In-Store

Even if your card works online, it might be rejected at a physical location.

Fix:

1. Always choose ‘credit’ during checkout, not debit.
2. Tell the cashier you’re using a prepaid gift card, because some POS systems require manual entry.
3. Make sure the store accepts American Express, as some small shops don’t.

How to Avoid AMEX Gift Card Errors (Before They Happen)

When it comes to American Express gift cards, most of the errors people run into are avoidable with just a few quick checks. Think of this as your pre-use checklist. It’ll help you dodge the most common headaches before you even swipe or click.

Activate the Card

Some AMEX gift cards come pre-activated, but others need you to activate them online or by phone.

What to do:

• Check the back of the card for instructions
• If activation is needed, go to the official site, create an account and register the card.

If you skip this step, your card might get hit with an “Error 05 – Do Not Honor” when you try to use it.

Register a Billing Address for Online Use

Most websites require an address to match your card to. If you haven’t registered one, your transaction will likely get blocked with an “American Express verification failed” error.

How to fix this ahead of time:

• Go to the AMEX gift card site
• Click on “Add or Edit Billing Address”
• Enter your full name, address, and ZIP code

Make sure to use this exact address every time you check out online.

Check the Balance Before You Shop

Gift cards don’t work like regular credit cards. If your total is even one cent over the balance, the card gets declined.

Quick tip:

• Check your balance on the website
• Plan to split the payment if your purchase total is more than the balance.

Use as “Credit” Not “Debit”

AMEX gift cards aren’t linked to a bank account, so they don’t have a PIN. Trying to use them as a debit card will usually fail. At checkout, always select “credit” when the payment screen asks. 

Avoid Auto-Renewals and Subscriptions

Many recurring services, like Netflix and Spotify, don’t accept prepaid cards. Even if it works once, they may cancel it later when they detect it’s a gift card.

So use your AMEX gift card for one-time purchases and avoid linking it to subscriptions or services that may try to re-bill. 

Don’t Use It Internationally

AMEX gift cards are usually only valid in the U.S., even if you’re shopping online. If the store is outside the U.S. or bills in a non-USD currency, the card will likely be declined.

Keep the Card Until You’re 100% Done

Even after spending the full balance, some merchants, especially gas stations, hotels, or car rentals might issue temporary holds or refunds. It’s best to keep your card for at least 60 days, just in case you need to:

• Verify past purchases
• Receive a refund
• Prove the transaction history

FAQs About AMEX Gift Cards 

1. Why does my Amex card get declined online but works in stores?

This usually happens because online and in-store payments are processed differently. Online merchants may have stricter fraud filters, or your billing address might not match what Amex has on file. Also, if the site is international, your Amex may be blocked from foreign transactions by default.

2. How long do I need to wait before retrying a declined transaction?

In most cases, you can retry a declined Amex transaction immediately, but if the issue is due to fraud protection or a temporary block, it’s better to wait a few minutes and check your email or app for alerts.

3. Will a declined transaction impact my credit score?

No, a declined transaction does not affect your credit score. Credit bureaus don’t track transaction approvals or declines, only things like your payment history, balances, and credit utilization. So, while it’s frustrating, it won’t hurt your score.

4. Why does my Amex keep getting declined for subscriptions?

Recurring payments like streaming services or subscriptions can be blocked if:

• You’ve reached your limit
• The card is flagged for suspicious activity
• The merchant isn’t fully verified

Make sure your card is authorized for recurring charges, and that there are no restrictions on that merchant. You can also try re-adding your card.

5. What should I do if my Amex is declined but I see a charge pending?

This is often a pre-authorization hold -a temporary check to see if the funds are available. It may look like a charge, but it will usually drop off within a few days if the transaction was truly declined.

Final Thoughts

Now you understand why your AMEX card might be declined and the right steps to follow, like double-checking your billing details or contacting AMEX support. And remember: declined transactions might be annoying, but they won’t hurt your credit score.

Additionally, keep in mind that you can easily skip the hassle of these errors if you choose to sell your American Express gift card for cash. If you are based in Nigeria, converting your gift card to naira is the ideal way to utilize them.