Amex reason code C18
Amex C18: "No Show" or CARDeposit Canceled
What the cardholder is claiming
The cardholder says they were charged a no-show fee for a lodging reservation they properly canceled, or that a CARDeposit reservation was canceled but the deposit was kept.
The evidence that actually wins
Bank analysts skim responses in minutes against a checklist for this exact code. Lead with the strongest fact; never make them dig.
- ✓Your cancellation policy as disclosed at booking, with the member's acknowledgment captured in the reservation record
- ✓Proof no cancellation was received before the deadline, and that no cancellation number was ever issued to this member
- ✓Verification of any cancellation number the member cites against your property management system
- ✓Timestamps showing the cancellation attempt arrived after the disclosed cutoff
- ✓The reservation folio showing the room was held and the no-show fee matches the disclosed policy amount
The honest read
This is a lodging-specific code and analysts key on two things: whether the policy was clearly disclosed at booking and whether a cancellation number exists. If the member has a cancellation number that validates against your system, refund the fee without a fight. Your winnable case is a timestamped cancellation that arrived after the cutoff, backed by a booking record that shows the policy was in front of them when they reserved. Charging more than the disclosed no-show amount, or having no acknowledgment trail at booking, sinks otherwise good cases.
Nobody can promise you a win; the cardholder's bank decides. What you control is submitting the strongest complete case your records support, on time. Our plain-language guarantees say exactly what that means.
Fighting a C18 right now?
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