Recommendation codes
Last updated: October 15, 2025
Recommendation codes provide additional information about how and when to retry a payment.
You can receive the following Checkout.com recommendation codes in the response to Mastercard and Visa payment requests.
Information
You can simulate recommendation code outcomes to test your integration.
| Recommendation code | Recommendation summary | Possible decline reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Updated or additional information required | One of:
|
| Try again later | One of:
|
| Do not try again | One of:
|
Mastercard uses Merchant Advice Codes (MACs) to provide additional information about a payment. For example, a MAC informs you if the payment was performed using one of the following payment card types:
- A consumer non-reloadable prepaid card
- A consumer single-use virtual card
For declined payments, the MAC typically contains the following information:
- Whether you can retry the payment
- How long to wait before retrying eligible payments
The MAC is returned in the processing.partner_merchant_advice_code field included in the payment request response:
Information
MACs are automatically enabled in your sandbox environment. To enable MACs in your production environment, contact your account manager or request support.
| Merchant advice code | Recommendation summary | Possible decline reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Updated or additional information required | One of:
|
| Try again later | One of:
|
| Do not try again | One of:
|
| Updated or additional information required | Token requirements not fulfilled for this token type |
| Do not try again | Payment cancellation |
| Retry after one hour | Insufficient funds |
| Retry after 24 hours | |
| Retry after two days | |
| Retry after four days | |
| Retry after six days | |
| Retry after eight days | |
| Retry after 10 days | |
| Non-reloadable prepaid card | The issuer recognized the card as a consumer non-reloadable prepaid card. |
| Single-use virtual card number | The issuer recognized the card as a consumer single-use virtual card. |
| Sanction score exceeds applicable threshold value | The Sanctions Scoring Service identified that the payment exceeded the applicable threshold. |