Mastercard Reason Code 4859: Addendum, No-show or ATM

What Mastercard reason code 4859 means

4859 is a legacy code that combined three unrelated disputes, mostly from travel, hospitality and ATMs:

Charges for loss, theft or damage after a rental are handled as their own sub-scenario under 4834, which has stricter conditions for that type of addendum charge.

Does 4859 affect ecommerce merchants?

Only those selling travel or bookings online: hotels, vacation rentals, tours, car rental and event venues with deposits. Retail ecommerce stores won’t see it.

Common causes

• Guests who cancel by phone with no written confirmation
• Cancellation policies shown only in fine print, or not at all, at booking
• Post-checkout charges (minibar, damage, late checkout) with no itemized receipt
• Damage charges without photos or inspection records
• Rental fuel or mileage charges the renter didn’t expect
• ATM cash jams, partial dispenses or network timeouts

Evidence that wins a 4859 dispute

For no-show charges:

1. Booking confirmation showing the reservation was guaranteed with the card.
2. The cancellation policy as shown at booking, and in the confirmation email.
3. Proof no cancellation was received before the deadline, and no cancellation code was issued.
4. Evidence the room or service was held and not resold.

For addendum charges:

1. The signed or accepted agreement authorizing additional charges.
2. An itemized receipt for the addendum, sent to the cardholder.
3. Supporting documents: minibar log, fuel records, inspection photos, repair estimates.

For ATM disputes (ATM operators and acquirers):

1. ATM journal and transaction log for the withdrawal.
2. Terminal balancing records showing no cash excess on the day.

How to prevent 4859 chargebacks

• Show the cancellation policy next to the booking button and repeat it in the confirmation.
• Accept cancellations in writing and issue a cancellation number every time.
• Itemize addendum charges and email them promptly, with photos for damage.
• Get explicit consent for post-stay or post-rental charges in the original agreement.

Should you fight or accept?

Fight no-show and addendum disputes when the policy was disclosed, the cardholder agreed, and you have the supporting documents. These are winnable for well-documented properties.

Accept when you can’t show the policy was disclosed, a cancellation was received, or the addendum charge lacks itemization. The issuer will side with the cardholder on undocumented extras.