Visa Chargeback Reason Code

Visa Reason Code 11.1: Card Recovery Bulletin

Category AuthorizationBy Payment Defender Editorial TeamUpdated July 17, 2026Last reviewed July 17, 2026

What Visa Reason Code 11.1 Means

Visa reason code 11.1 applies when a transaction was completed without authorization on a card that was listed in the Card Recovery Bulletin, which identifies accounts that should not be approved.

Why This Chargeback Happens

This dispute commonly occurs when a below-floor-limit transaction was processed without authorization and the account number appeared on the Card Recovery Bulletin at the time of the transaction.

What the Cardholder or Issuer Is Claiming

The issuer claims the account was listed for recovery and that the transaction should not have been completed without authorization.

What Merchants Should Review

Review whether authorization was obtained, the transaction amount relative to any floor limit, the authorization response, and whether the account was checked against the recovery bulletin.

Recommended Chargeback Evidence

Authorization records showing an approval code was obtained
Documentation of the authorization request and response
Evidence the transaction was authorized despite any floor-limit practices

How to Prevent Similar Disputes

These disputes may be reduced by obtaining authorization for all transactions, avoiding reliance on floor limits, and ensuring terminals request authorization rather than processing offline where possible.

Important Limitations

This page is educational and reflects common industry usage. Visa authorization and dispute rules change over time and vary by transaction type. Merchants should confirm current requirements with their acquirer or processor.

Related Reason Codes

Sources and Review Information

Last reviewed July 17, 2026

Chargeback rules, evidence requirements, and response options may vary by card network, region, processor, and dispute circumstances.