American Express Chargeback Reason Code
American Express Reason Code M10: Vehicle Rental – Capital Damages, Theft, or Loss of Use
Category Consumer DisputesBy Payment Defender Editorial TeamUpdated July 17, 2026Last reviewed July 17, 2026
What American Express Reason Code M10 Means
American Express reason code M10 applies to disputes over vehicle rental charges for capital damages, theft, or loss of use. The Cardmember disputes charges beyond the rental itself, such as damage or loss-of-use fees.
Why This Chargeback Happens
This dispute commonly occurs when a rental company charges for damage, theft, or loss of use that the Cardmember contests, when supporting documentation is incomplete, or when the charge amount is unclear or unagreed.
What the Cardholder or Issuer Is Claiming
The Cardmember is claiming vehicle-rental charges for capital damages, theft, or loss of use were applied incorrectly or without adequate support.
What Merchants Should Review
Review the rental agreement, damage or incident documentation, repair estimates, and loss-of-use calculations. Confirm the charges were disclosed, supported, and agreed to under the rental terms.
Recommended Chargeback Evidence
- Signed rental agreement with damage and fee terms
- Incident, damage, or theft documentation
- Repair estimates and loss-of-use calculations
- Communication with the Cardmember about the charges
How to Prevent Similar Disputes
Merchants may reduce these disputes by documenting vehicle condition before and after rental, disclosing damage and loss-of-use terms clearly, and supporting each charge with detailed records. Transparent estimates help prevent disputes.
Important Limitations
This page is educational and reflects common industry usage. American Express dispute rules, timelines, and evidence requirements change over time and vary by market and program. Merchants should confirm current requirements with American Express or their processor before responding to any dispute.
Related Reason Codes
Sources and Review Information
- American Express: American Express Merchant Regulations – U.S.
Last reviewed July 17, 2026
Chargeback rules, evidence requirements, and response options may vary by card network, region, processor, and dispute circumstances.