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Zero Amount Authorizations


Account verification with zero amount authorization is a standard e-commerce practice where you send a zero amount transaction to verify a card is valid and whether the card is lost or stolen. You cannot capture a zero amount authorization.

Most card networks refer to card account validation as zero amount authorization (ZAA). These card networks have their own names for the service:

  • Discover Zero Dollar Authorization
  • Visa Account Verification

Supported Processors

  • AIBMS
  • American Express Direct
  • Barclays
  • Chase Paymentech Solutions
  • Chase Tandem
  • Credit Mutuel-CIC
  • eftpos
  • Elavon
  • Elavon Americas
  • FDC Compass
  • FDC Nashville Global
  • FDI Australia
  • FDMS Nashville
  • Fiserv RapidConnect
  • Getnet
  • GPN
  • HBoS
  • HSBC
  • JCN Gateway
  • Lloyds-OmniPay
  • LloydsTSB Cardnet
  • Moneris
  • National Payment Gateway
  • OmniPay Direct
  • Prosa
  • Rede
  • SIX
  • Streamline
  • TSYS Acquiring Solutions
  • Worldpay VAP

Supported Processors

  • Chase Paymentech Solutions
  • Elavon Americas
  • FDC Nashville Global
  • Streamline
  • Worldpay VAP

Supported Processor

  • Barclays

Supported Processor

  • GPX

Supported Processor

Supported Processors

  • TSYS Acquiring Solutions

Processor-Specific Information

AIBMS
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • The commerce indicator must be internet or moto.
American Express Direct
  • AVS is supported.
  • Card type: American Express
  • All currencies that are supported for standard authorizations for American Express Direct are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
Barclays
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • All currencies that are supported for standard authorizations for are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
  • The amount is rounded to the correct number of decimal places for the currency.
  • Visa Electron cards are not supported.
Chase Paymentech Solutions
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Chase Tandem
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Credit Mutuel-CIC
  • CVN is supported.
  • Card types: co-badged Cartes Bancaires and Mastercard, co-badged Cartes Bancaires and Visa
Elavon
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Maestro (International), Maestro (UK Domestic), Mastercard, Visa
  • All currencies that are supported for standard authorizations for Elavon are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
Elavon Americas
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
FDC Compass
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
FDC Nashville Global
  • AVS and CVN are supported. CVN is not supported for American Express.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Discover and Diners Club—only USD is supported for zero amount authorizations.
  • American Express, Mastercard, and Visa—all currencies that are supported for standard authorizations are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
FDI Australia
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • Supported only for currency AUD.
FDMS Nashville
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card type: American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Getnet
  • Card types: Hipercard, Mastercard, Visa
GPN
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • CVN is not supported for zero amount authorizations with American Express.
GPX
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
HBoS
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • The commerce indicator must be internet or moto.
HSBC
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Maestro (International), Maestro (UK Domestic), Mastercard, Visa
  • The commerce indicator must be internet or moto.
  • The authorization code is not returned.
JCN Gateway
  • CVN is supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Lloyds-OmniPay
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • The commerce indicator must be internet or moto.
LloydsTSB Cardnet
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • The commerce indicator must be internet or moto.
Moneris
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: China UnionPay, Mastercard, Visa
National Payment Gateway
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard and Visa international cards. Not available for mada cards.
OmniPay Direct
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types:
    • Bank of America Merchant Services—Visa, Mastercard, Maestro (UK Domestic), Maestro (International)
    • Cardnet International—Visa, Mastercard, Maestro (UK Domestic), Maestro (International)
    • First Data Merchant Solutions (Europe)—Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diners Club, Maestro (UK Domestic), Maestro (International)
    • Global Payments International Acquiring—Visa, Mastercard, Maestro (UK Domestic), Maestro (International)
Prosa
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Carnet, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Rede
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
SIX
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: China UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Maestro (International), Maestro (UK Domestic), Mastercard, Visa, Visa Electron
Streamline
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: JCB (no 3-D Secure), Maestro (International), Maestro (UK Domestic), Mastercard, Visa
  • All currencies that are supported for standard authorizations for Streamline are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
TSYS Acquiring Solutions
  • AVS is supported. CVN is supported for Mastercard and Visa only.
  • Card types: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Visa Platform Connect
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • Supported for Internet, MOTO, and card-present transactions. Do not try to perform a zero amount authorization for a recurring payment, installment payment, or payer authorization transaction.
Worldpay VAP
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa

Processor-Specific Information

Chase Paymentech Solutions
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Elavon Americas
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
FDC Nashville Global
  • AVS and CVN are supported. CVN is not supported for American Express.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Discover and Diners Club—only USD is supported for zero amount authorizations.
  • American Express, Mastercard, and Visa—all currencies that are supported for standard authorizations are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
Streamline
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: JCB (no 3-D Secure), Maestro (International), Maestro (UK Domestic), Mastercard, Visa
  • All currencies that are supported for standard authorizations for Streamline are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
Visa Platform Connect
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • Supported for Internet, MOTO, and card-present transactions. Do not try to perform a zero amount authorization for a recurring payment, installment payment, or payer authorization transaction.
Worldpay VAP
  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa

Processor-Specific Information

Barclays

  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • All currencies that are supported for standard authorizations for Barclays are also supported for zero amount authorizations.
  • The amount is rounded to the correct number of decimal places for the currency.
  • Visa Electron cards are not supported.

Processor-Specific Information

GPX

  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa

Processor-Specific Information

  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • Supported for Internet, MOTO, and card-present transactions. Do not try to perform a zero amount authorization for a recurring payment, installment payment, or payer authorization transaction.

Processor-Specific Information

  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • Supported for Internet, MOTO, and card-present transactions. Do not try to perform a zero amount authorization for a recurring payment, installment payment, or payer authorization transaction.

Processor-Specific Information

  • AVS and CVN are supported.
  • Card types: Mastercard, Visa
  • Supported for Internet, MOTO, and card-present transactions. Do not try to perform a zero amount authorization for a recurring payment, installment payment, or payer authorization transaction.

TSYS Acquiring Solutions

  • AVS is supported. CVN is supported for Mastercard and Visa only.
  • Card types: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Merchant Category Codes

When your business signs up with , assigns your account a merchant category code (MCC) based on your primary business type. sends this MCC to the card networks with every transaction you process. If you process a transaction that is unrelated to your usual goods or services, include the merchantInformation.categoryCode field and set it to the relevant MCC. and FDC Nashville Global do not validate the MCC you send. Using an incorrect MCC can result in increased decline rates, interchange downgrades, or fines. To verify the correct MCC, contact your account manager.

Endpoints

POST /pts/v2/payments

POST /pts/v2/payments

POST /pts/v2/payments

POST /pts/v2/payments

POST /pts/v2/payments

Example

Standard Example

{  "orderInformation": {    "billTo": {      "country": "US",      "lastName": "Kim",      "address1": "201 S. Division St.",      "postalCode": "48104-2201",      "locality": "Ann Arbor",      "administrativeArea": "MI",      "firstName": "Kyong-Jin",      "email": "[email protected]"    },    "amountDetails": {      "totalAmount": "0.00",      "currency": "usd"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "card": {      "expirationYear": "2031",      "number": "CARD_NUMBER",      "expirationMonth": "12"    }  }}
{  "_links": {    "authReversal": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/6461731521426399003473/reversals"    },    "self": {      "method": "GET",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/6461731521426399003473"    },    "capture": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/6461731521426399003473/captures"    }  },  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "1646173152047"  },  "id": "6461731521426399003473",  "orderInformation": {    "amountDetails": {      "authorizedAmount": "0",      "currency": "usd"    }  },  "paymentAccountInformation": {    "card": {      "type": "001"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "tokenizedCard": {      "type": "001"    },    "card": {      "type": "001"    }  },  "processorInformation": {    "systemTraceAuditNumber": "862481",    "approvalCode": "831000",    "merchantAdvice": {      "code": "01",      "codeRaw": "M001"    },    "responseDetails": "ABC",    "networkTransactionId": "016153570198200",    "consumerAuthenticationResponse": {      "code": "2",      "codeRaw": "2"    },    "transactionId": "016153570198200",    "responseCode": "00",    "avs": {      "code": "Y",      "codeRaw": "Y"    }  },  "reconciliationId": "6461731521426399003473",  "status": "AUTHORIZED",  "submitTimeUtc": "2022-03-01T22:19:12Z"}

eftpos Example

{  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "Purchase_A61_050",    "partner": {      "developerId": "eftPOS",      "solutionId": "CNP"    },    "applicationUser": "eftPOS"  },  "processingInformation": {    "commerceIndicator": "internet",    "capture": "false"  },  "orderInformation": {    "billTo": {      "country": "AU",      "lastName": "VDP",      "address2": "Address 2",      "address1": "123 Collins St",      "postalCode": "3000",      "locality": "Melbourne",      "administrativeArea": "VI",      "firstName": "CYBS",      "phoneNumber": "3-9657-1234",      "district": "VI",      "buildingNumber": "123",      "company": "Visa",      "email": "[email protected]"    },    "amountDetails": {      "totalAmount": "0.00",      "currency": "aud"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "card": {      "expirationYear": "2025",      "number": "CARD_NUMBER",      "expirationMonth": "12",      "type": "070",      "securityCode": "123"    }  }}
{  "_links": {    "authReversal": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7464484268116175103091/reversals"    },    "self": {      "method": "GET",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7464484268116175103091"    },    "capture": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7464484268116175103091/captures"    }  },  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "Purchase_A61_050",    "partner": {      "developerId": "eftPOS",      "solutionId": "CNP"    }  },  "id": "7464484268116175103091",  "orderInformation": {    "amountDetails": {      "authorizedAmount": "0.00",      "currency": "aud"    }  },  "paymentAccountInformation": {    "card": {      "type": "070"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "tokenizedCard": {      "type": "070"    },    "card": {      "type": "070"    }  },  "processorInformation": {    "systemTraceAuditNumber": "048168",    "retrievalReferenceNumber": "048168334612",    "responseCode": "00",    "avs": {      "code": "2"    }  },  "reconciliationId": "7464484268116175103091",  "status": "AUTHORIZED",  "submitTimeUtc": "2025-05-05T12:33:47Z"}

Fiserv RapidConnect Example

{  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "1234567890",    "reconcilationId": "000000050000752"  },  "processingInformation": {    "actionList": [      "TOKEN_CREATE"    ],    "actionTokenTypes": [      "customer",      "paymentInstrument",      "shippingAddress"    ]  },  "orderInformation": {    "billTo": {      "country": "US",      "firstName": "John",      "lastName": "Smith",      "phoneNumber": "650-965-6111",      "address2": "Room 2-2123",      "address1": "600 Morgan Falls Road",      "postalCode": "94566",      "locality": "Atlanta",      "administrativeArea": "MI",      "email": "[email protected]"    },    "amountDetails": {      "totalAmount": "0",      "currency": "USD"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "card": {      "expirationYear": "2030",      "number": "CARD_NUMBER",      "expirationMonth": "12",      "type": "001"    }  }}
{  "embeddedActions": {    "TOKEN_CREATE": {      "status": "SUCCESS"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "bin": "411111",    "issuer": "CONOTOXIA SP. Z O.O",    "binCountry": "PL",    "accountType": "Visa Classic",    "cardBrand": "VISA",    "cardType": "001"  },  "submitTimeUtc": "2025-03-10T18:38:09Z",  "processorInformation": {    "approvalCode": "OK1272",    "responseCodeSource": "4",    "networkTransactionId": "0014239537635196CN",    "responseCode": "000"  },  "_links": {    "capture": {      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7416318895663232235535/captures",      "method": "POST"    },    "reversal": {      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7416318895663232235535/reversals",      "method": "POST"    },    "self": {      "method": "GET",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7416318895663232235535"    }  },  "consumerAuthenticationResponse": {    "systemTraceAuditNumber": "500016",    "merchantNumber": "RCTST1000107085"  },  "orderInformation": {    "amountDetails": {      "authorizedAmount": "0000000000.00"    }  },  "message": "Successful transaction.",  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "001234567890"  },  "reconciliationId": "000000050000752",  "pointOfSaleInformation": {    "terminalId": "00000001"  },  "id": "7416318895663232235535",  "status": "AUTHORIZED",  "tokenInformation": {    "instrumentIdentifierNew": false,    "customer": {      "id": "300220A7824EF32AE0634136CF0A7425"    },    "instrumentIdentifier": {      "id": "7018759999957811111",      "state": "ACTIVE"    },    "paymentInstrument": {      "id": "300220A78257F32AE0634136CF0A7425"    },    "shippingAddress": {      "id": "300220A7825AF32AE0634136CF0A7425"    }  }}

National Payment Gateway Example

This example includes optional fields.

{  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "TC_SPG_FE_VI-2"  },  "consumerAuthenticationInformation": {    "cavv": "107b965bd3e20645afa84e63b91c03cc05050409",    "dsReferenceNumber": "dsReferenceNumber-3DS-mada123",    "paresStatus": "Y",    "acsReferenceNumber": "3DS_LOA_ACS_201_13579",    "paSpecificationVersion": "2",    "xid": "lEmYpm61EduaVZjPG1/HsgkAAQc=",    "authenticationDate": "20230413121212",    "directoryServerTransactionId": "f25084f0-5b16-4c0a-ae5d-b24808a95e4b",    "acsTransactionId": "f25084f0-5b16-4c0a-ae5d-b248083334b2"  },  "processingInformation": {    "commerceIndicator": "vbv",    "authorizationOptions": {      "cardVerificationIndicator": true    },    "industryDataType": "auto_rental"  },  "orderInformation": {    "billTo": {      "firstName": "Abdullah",      "lastName": "Muhammad",      "phoneNumber": "01-4844094",      "address2": "P.O.Box: 16335",      "address1": "Al Dariyah Dist.",      "postalCode": "22028",      "email": "[email protected]"    },    "amountDetails": {      "totalAmount": "0",      "currency": "SAR"    }  },  "merchantInformation": {    "transactionLocalDateTime": "20991212121212",    "categoryCode": 4999,    "merchantDescriptor": {      "country": "SA",      "address1": "Kharj Road",      "postalCode": "12211",      "locality": "Riyadh",      "name": "Al Madina"    }  },  "paymentInformation": {    "card": {      "expirationYear": "2025",      "number": "CARD_NUMBER",      "securityCode": "123",      "expirationMonth": "12",      "type": "001"    }  }}
{  "paymentInformation": {    "bin": "411111",    "issuer": "CONOTOXIA SP. Z O.O",    "binCountry": "PL",    "accountType": "Visa Classic",    "cardBrand": "VISA",    "cardType": "001"  },  "submitTimeUtc": "2025-08-29T05:46:12Z",  "processorInformation": {    "paymentAccountReferenceNumber": "ZEqueBNWFY660ddzGPTL9oz2WetSx",    "approvalCode": "830SPG",    "transactionId": "NE6VFfD5vsl4jj7",    "merchantAdvice": {      "code": "01",      "codeRaw": "01"    },    "consumerAuthenticationResponse": {      "code": "2",      "codeRaw": "2"    },    "cardVerification": {      "resultCodeRaw": "N",      "resultCode": "N"    },    "settlementDate": "220915",    "avs": {      "code": "M",      "codeRaw": "M"    },    "retrievalReferenceNumber": "524105500232",    "responseCode": "00"  },  "_links": {    "extension": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments"    },    "void": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/v2/payments/7564463720976144703812/reversals"    },    "captures": {      "method": "POST",      "href": "/v2/payments/7564463720976144703812/captures"    },    "self": {      "method": "GET",      "href": "/pts/v2/payments/7564463720976144703812"    }  },  "paymentAccountInformation": {    "card": {      "type": "001"    }  },  "clientReferenceInformation": {    "code": "TC_SPG_FE_VI-1"  },  "consumerAuthenticationInformation": {    "token": "7564463720976144703812",    "eciRaw": "05A"  },  "id": "7564463720976144703812",  "orderInformation": {    "amountDetails": {      "currency": "SAR"    }  },  "reconciliationId": "7564463720976144703812",  "status": "AUTHORIZED"}

Required Fields

Default Fields

These fields are required when processing a zero amount authorization.

FieldDescription
clientReferenceInformation.transactionId—
merchantInformation.transactionLocalDateTime—
orderInformation.amountDetails.currency—
orderInformation.amountDetails.totalAmountSet this value to 0.
orderInformation.billTo.address1—
orderInformation.billTo.administrativeArea—
orderInformation.billTo.country—
orderInformation.billTo.email—
orderInformation.billTo.firstName—
orderInformation.billTo.lastName—
orderInformation.billTo.locality—
orderInformation.billTo.postalCode—
paymentInformation.card.expirationMonth—
paymentInformation.card.expirationYear—
paymentInformation.card.number—

Processor-Specific Required Fields

Visa Platform Connect Required Fields

In addition to the default required fields, Visa Platform Connect requires this field:

FieldDescription
processingInformation.authorizationOptions.cardVerificationIndicatorSet the value to true.

Fiserv RapidConnect Required Fields

In addition to the default required fields, Fiserv RapidConnect requires these fields:

FieldDescription
clientReferenceInformation.codeOrder reference or tracking number. Provide a unique value for each transaction so that you can perform meaningful searches for the transaction.
clientReferenceInformation.reconciliationId—
orderInformation.billTo.address2—
orderInformation.billTo.phoneNumber—
processingInformation.actionListSet the value to TOKEN_CREATE.
processingInformation.actionTokenTypesSet to one or more of these values: customer, paymentInstrument, shippingAddress.

eftpos Required Fields

In addition to the default required fields, eftpos requires these fields:

FieldDescription
clientReferenceInformation.applicationUserSet the value to eftpos.
clientReferenceInformation.codeOrder reference or tracking number. Provide a unique value for each transaction so that you can perform meaningful searches for the transaction.
clientReferenceInformation.partner.developerIdSet the value to eftpos.
clientReferenceInformation.partner.solutionIdSet the value to CNP.
paymentInformation.card.securityCode—
processingInformation.commerceIndicatorSet the value to internet.

National Payment Gateway Required Fields

FieldDescription
clientReferenceInformation.codeOrder reference or tracking number. Provide a unique value for each transaction so that you can perform meaningful searches for the transaction.
consumerAuthenticationInformation.acsReferenceNumber—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.acsTransactionId—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.authenticationDate—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.cavv—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.directoryServerTransactionId—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.dsReferenceNumber—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.paresStatus—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.paSpecificationVersion—
consumerAuthenticationInformation.xid—
merchantInformation.merchantDescriptor.locality—
orderInformation.amountDetails.currency—
orderInformation.amountDetails.totalAmountSet the value to 0.
paymentInformation.card.expirationMonth—
paymentInformation.card.expirationYear—
paymentInformation.card.number—
paymentInformation.card.securityCode—
paymentInformation.card.type—
processingInformation.authorizationOptions.cardVerificationIndicatorSet the value to true.
processingInformation.commerceIndicatorSet the value to one of these: internet, mada, moto, moto_cc, spa, vbv, vbv_attempted, vbv_failure.

Country-Specific Required Fields

Use these country-specific required fields to process a zero amount authorization.

Argentina

FieldDescription
merchantInformation.taxIdRequired for Mastercard transactions.
merchantInformation.transactionLocalDateTimeRequired in Argentina when the time zone is not included in your account. Otherwise, this field is optional.

Brazil

FieldDescription
paymentInformation.card.sourceAccountTypeRequired for combo card transactions.
paymentInformation.card.sourceAccountTypeDetailsRequired for combo card line-of-credit and prepaid-card transactions.

Saudi Arabia

FieldDescription
processingInformation.authorizationOptions.transactionMode—

Taiwan

FieldDescription
paymentInformation.card.hashedNumber—

Last published: September 29, 2026